A Parent's Guide to O Levels

Understand the shape of the course

Most students study for two years and then sit examinations in each subject. Results come subject by subject. Ask the school for the syllabus code of each subject, the series your child is entered for and the school's internal test calendar.

Support the routine, not the content

A regular study time, a quiet place and enough sleep help more than extra hours at the last minute. Ask your child what they are working on each week and let them explain it, which is also good revision.

Know when extra help is useful

Signs that a subject needs support include marks that stay low after revision, avoiding the subject, or slow work that never finishes. Talk to the teacher first. A tutor can then help with a specific gap. You can look at our O Levels tutors page and send a request that names the subject and board.

In the months before the exam

Check the exam timetable, the centre's rules and the equipment allowed. Encourage timed past papers and marking against mark schemes, which our guide to past papers explains.

Parent's guide to O Levels: Where to Go Next

If you want help with a subject, see O Levels tutors. For more guides, see O Levels resources, and for exam papers, our past-paper library.

For the rules, syllabuses and dates themselves, use the official websites: Cambridge International Education. Boards change details from time to time, so check them before you plan.

Frequently Asked Questions