Education Minister, Paul Givan, and his department are proposing binning AS-levels, following their review of the curriculum and qualifications in Northern Ireland.

Currently, AS-level exams cover 40% of student’s overall A-level grades in Northern Ireland. However, The Department for Education is reviewing a proposal to scrap AS-levels in Northern Ireland in favour of one two-year A-level course. This restructure would mean students would only sit one set of exams.

Education Minister Paul Givan said students are being ‘over tested’ in schools, explaining that, “So much time is being spent in preparation for exams, time off school when it comes to even your mocks, being coached as to the technique when it comes to answer questions. All of that is taking away from the ability to actually sit in the class, engage in the subject matter and to learn about it.”

Alongside this, the DE is also proposing:

  • fewer GCSE and A-level topics for students
  • controlled/practical assessments taken in schools aside from exams to be removed from most subjects
  • changing GCSE grades to numbers (like in England) from their current grading system of A* to G.

Learn more and see what students think about the proposals

 

Reference

  1. AS-levels could be scrapped and GCSE grades changed under plans (Accessed: 8th October 2025)

 

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Author

  • Kat Cauchi

    Kat is the former editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine. She is the chair of the BESA Women’s Educational Suppliers Network, a Global Equality Collective member, InnovateHer ambassador and TechUpWomen Mentor. She is a also a 2023 #TechWomen100 award winner and 2022 Nexus Education award winner.

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