School Exam Syllabuses

College Board exams that allow high school students to earn college credit and strengthen admissions.

A California exam allowing eligible students to earn a certificate equivalent to a high-school diploma.

Subject exams that let students earn college credit by demonstrating knowledge, often taken near the end of high school.

Series of tests that certify U.S. high-school-level academic skills for those without a diploma.

The standard credential awarded to students who complete required secondary-school coursework in the US.

An alternative high-school equivalency exam accepted by many US states in place of the GED.

A rigorous international secondary diploma program offered at many US high schools.

Entrance exam used for admission to many independent and private K-12 schools.

Statewide subject exams in New York that students must pass to earn a Regents high-school diploma.

A standardized Common Core-aligned assessment used by several states to measure college and career readiness.

Practice version of the SAT taken by high schoolers that also qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships.

A multistate Common Core-aligned standardized assessment given to K-12 students including high schoolers.

Admissions test for entry into private and independent secondary schools.

Texas's statewide standardized tests, including end-of-course exams required for high-school graduation.

A high-school equivalency assessment used by several states as an alternative to the GED.

Vocational qualifications offered at various levels, widely taken in schools and colleges as career-focused alternatives or supplements to GCSEs and A-Levels.

The international version of the GCSE offered by Cambridge, taken in some UK independent schools and worldwide at age 14-16.

A post-16 alternative to A-Levels offered by Cambridge Assessment, designed as preparation for university (being phased out).

A historic English/Welsh/NI qualification for 16-year-olds run alongside O-Levels, merged into the GCSE in 1988.

A standalone Level 3 qualification in England in which sixth-form students complete an independent research project, valued for university admission.

Qualifications in English, maths and ICT in England providing practical core skills, often taken by students who did not achieve GCSE grades 4/C.

Subject-based qualifications taken at age 18 that form the primary basis for UK university admission.

The main subject-based qualifications taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, typically at age 16 (end of Year 11).

A two-year pre-university diploma offered by many UK schools as an alternative to A-Levels.

The most advanced school-level Scottish qualification, taken in S6, beyond the standard Higher.

The main Scottish university-entrance qualification, typically taken in S5 around age 17.

An internally assessed Scottish qualification below National 5, taken around age 15-16 under the SQA.

Scottish qualification roughly equivalent to GCSE, taken around age 16 under the SQA framework.

Technical qualifications in England equivalent to three A-Levels, combining classroom study with an industry placement, taken at age 16-18.

A qualification in Wales combining a Skills Challenge Certificate with other qualifications like GCSEs or A-Levels.