Guidance on Selecting Advanced Level (AL) Subject Streams Based on Ordinary Level (OL) Examination Results (For National Curriculum)
General Requirement
- A student must obtain a minimum of five (5) credit passes (C or above) in one sitting to be considered as passing the Ordinary Level (OL) examination and eligible for Advanced Level (AL) subject selection.
- Compulsory subjects:
- Mathematics (Simple pass or above – Minimum grade of “S”).
- History (Simple pass or above – Minimum grade of “S”).
- First Language (Simple pass or above – Minimum grade of “S” in Sinhala or Tamil).
Special Provision for Students Failing in Mathematics
- Students who fail in Mathematics but meet all other eligibility criteria will be allowed to enrol in the Arts stream only, provided they have at least five (5) credit passes.
- Such students will be required to re-sit for the OL Mathematics examination during their first year of AL studies.
Stream-specific Subject Selection Criteria
Science/Agriculture Stream
(Biology, Physics or Agriculture, and Chemistry)
- Mathematics: Minimum of a B grade.
- Science: Minimum of a B grade.
- Overall minimum of six (6) credits, including compulsory subjects.
Physical Science Stream
(Combined Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry OR Combined Mathematics, Physics, and ICT)
- Mathematics: Minimum of an A grade.
- Science: Minimum of a B grade.
- Overall minimum of six (6) credits, including compulsory subjects.
Technology Stream
(Bio Systems Technology or Engineering Technology, Science for Technology, and ICT or Agriculture)
- Mathematics: Minimum of a B grade.
- Science: Minimum of a B grade.
- Overall minimum of five (5) credits, including compulsory subjects.
Commerce Stream
(Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, and ICT)
- Overall minimum of five (5) credits, including compulsory subjects.
- A credit pass for Mathematics or History or Accounting and Business Studies is compulsory.
- Students may select ICT or Business Studies along with other compulsory subjects Accounting and Economics.
- ICT is offered in English Medium only.
Art Stream
- Minimum of five (5) credits, including compulsory subjects.
- Subject Combinations:
- Students should select 1 subject from 3 options (baskets) provided.
- Option 1: Economics and Geography.
- Option 2: Political Science, Agriculture, ICT, Greek and Rome Civilization (GRC) and French.
- Option 3: Logic and Scientific Method, English Literature and Media.
- Important:
- If the number of students per subject is less than 5, college does not offer that subject.
- Subjects which are not listed under 3 options are not offered.
- Logic and Media subjects are available only in Sinhala Medium.
Important Information
- Subject selection is a critical process – By referring nie.lk (https://nie.lk/selesyll) website the syllabus content of AL subjects can be studied.
- If OL exam result is below the expected standard of a particular stream, such students will be relocated to an appropriate stream under the guidance of academic heads and with the parental consent.
