A level is an Advance level General Certificate of Education (GCE) offered by the University of Cambridge, which is equivalent to the higher secondary level education of Nepal. A level is generally a two-year course that has been divided into two parts; the Advance Subsidiary (AS) that is expected to be completed in the first year, and the second part of the course, commonly referred to as the Advanced (A) level, is completed by the end of second year. Generally, the A level examination is taken after two years of its study. However, students have three options for taking the examinations. The AS examination can be taken either at the end of the first year or eighteen months after the commencement of the course. All papers of A level course can also be taken at the end of the second year of the study if students wish to do so.

A level is rigorous programme that demands high academic standard. It is also very flexible because students may choose any combination of the wide choice of subjects that suit their interest and aptitude. The A level syllabi have been designed to meet the needs of international students, and the course requires students to be creative and analytical. It helps students gain in-depth subject knowledge and understanding, develop an ability to think logically, present reasoned explanations, understand implications, and communicate them in a clear and logical manner. The A level is recognized by universities worldwide because of its high academic standard, and good A-level results gives students access to undergraduate studies almost in all universities around the world.

Students are required to take at least four subjects including either General Paper or English Language and Literature in order to qualify the degree, and they may take more than required credits depending upon their interests and capabilities. Students are assessed on a grade scale from A* awarded for the highest level of achievement, to E indicating the minimum required performance, and U stands for ungraded which means fail. The Cambridge International A/AS course is taught in over 155 countries around the world.

The A and AS level examinations are held twice a year i.e. in May/ June and October/ November, and the results of which are published in August and January respectively.