The number of subjects for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination under the new educational reforms will be limited to seven and A, B and C passes will be completely done away with and replaced by a Grade Point Average (GPA) to ensure that no student fails the examination.
The Department of Examinations will conduct the GCE O/L examination for Science, Mathematics, Native Language, English, Religion, Moral Education, Information Technology and History from 2026. Students could also choose three subjects of their choice to be conducted by 350 school assessment and educational boards.
The program will be launched from 2025 and this change will have an effect on students sitting the O/L examination in 2026.
The Department of Examinations will no longer confer A, B and C passes but will give a GPA to students.
According to this new system, every candidate will pass with a certain range of marks with no fail grades.
A new subject called Education will be added, apart from the six existing subjects – Arts, Science, Mathematics, Commerce, and Technology for the GCE Advanced Level examination from 2027, under the new educational reforms. Vocational courses will be included for students who score low marks at the examination.
Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara of the Expert Committee on Educational Reforms said through this process all students who sit the GCE O/L examination annually could sit the GCE A/L examination.
