What is the U.S equivalent to a UK A-Level?

Question

My partner is looking to study in the UK following a 4 year course in the US and we are trying to establish how relevant her current qualifications are. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Most good universities will typically look for a score of 2100 or so on the SAT (or equivalent ACT), as well as good scores in any relevant SAT II subject tests and also good scores (definitely 3, pref 4 or 5) in AP tests, if they were available at your partners high school.

If she's completed a year or two of college, or an associate's degree, in good standing she shouls be fine to study as a UK undergrad.

Answer 2

The nearest equivalents to A-levels are Advanced Placement (AP) tests, which are gaining increased recognition by British universities.
There is no exact UK equivalent to the high school diploma, but it is roughly comparable to at least five GCSE's, including English, maths, history, science, and any other subjects the students decides to pursue.
You will find the following reference helpful - even though it is really about transfering from the UK to the US (read the first third of the article):

Answer 3

try emailing UCAS: [e-mail]

they have a tarriff point system for all sorts of qualifications, but I don't think they list international qualifications on their website.

The college/uni you want to apply to will have a copy of the UCAS guide for their own reference, so they could work it out when you apply.

Do American students graduate from high school at the age of 18? If so, that's the age most people do their A levels in the UK, so if your partner was in school continuously until the age of 18 they should have completed stuff that's approximately equivalent to A levels.

Answer 4

You won't find an ambivalent for UK A-Level and U.S because U.S schools don't have pre-college courses like UK. Every things international students do is trying the best they can to be admitted.

For international admission, U.S colleges and universities often use TOEFL to determine whether one is qualified or not. The required scores are varied for different colleges and universities. The top schools (from 30th) require over 600 points, but 70th to 30th require 550 points in old TOEFL (for new iBT, I don't know). However, there are some colleges don't require anything except high school G.P.A for admission (like Seattle Community College).

UK A-level is a preparation English for international students, but AP is for all students which helps students reduce some basic courses in colleges. For AP examinations, U.S schools consider they are college credits (but usually they have to be over 70%, and considered as pass/fail grade - so even you get 100%, it is not an A but just pass). These courses you may learn in high school or just study by yourself , then register and take the test(s) (about $80 for one subject).

Answer 5

There is no equivalent - things are so different that you will only ever understand them by starting from scratch - Americans tend to take the SATs or ACTs in addition to what exams their own high school courses may put on them, as these are good ways of cross-comparing students from different schools. It may be worth while you take one of these (after practicing first of course), as it will help you get in to good uni's there - but be forewarned that they will also want to see a lot of achievement, awards, skills & responsibilites gained by you outside of your school courses.

Answer 6

I think a 30 or higher on the ACT. I'm not sure for the SAT. I am probably wrong because I am just guessing.