Advanced Level Subjects (Series) Combination in Cameroon

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Congratulations to all those who made it this year. Nine months of proper preparation was not an easy task but you came out victorious. Passing is one thing and choosing a specialty or series is another crucial thing.

Bear in mind that what you choose at this level, determines your career path. It is the foundation. To have a firm lasting building depends on the foundation. This also applies to choosing subject combinations at the high school level because it is from these combinations that one can tell the possible programs one can read in the University as well as possible career paths.

As a piece of advice think well before taking this or that series. Do not choose a series simply because you wish to be with your friends. Ask yourself these questions: what do I want to be in the future? Which career options are at my disposal if I choose this or that series combination? When you provide answers to the above questions, then you are ready to go. A word for the wise is sufficient.

Advanced Level Subjects (Series) Combination in Cameroon

This write-up will bring to your awareness the various Advanced Level series (subjects) combinations in Cameroon.

Before explicitly discussing our topic of interest, let’s know what the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) is all about. The GCE Advanced Level is one of the units under the Division of Examination.

The division of Examination is headed by a Deputy Registrar in charge of Examinations whereas the Advanced Level unit is headed by an Examination Officer. Some of the responsibilities and duties of this unit include;

• Preparation and distribution of Registration Materials.
• Reception and processing of registration forms from registration centers.
• Moderation of raw test items.
• Supervision of the Proofreading exercise.
• Costing and preparation of practical documents.
• Creation of Registration and Accommodation centers.
•  Supervision and monitoring of practical and written examinations.
• Supervision of marking secretariats and marking proper.

There are 20 subjects in total in the second cycle which are as follows.

• Accounting
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Economics
• English Language
• Literature in English
• Food Science and Nutrition
• French
• Special Bilingual Education French
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Pure Mathematics with Mechanics
• Pure Mathematics with Statistics
• Further Mathematics
• Physics
• Religious Studies
• Philosophy
• Computer Science
• Information and Communication Technology

Registration fees

• Registration fee – 9000 FRS
• Subject fee – 2000 FRS
• Practical fee – 5000 FRS
• Franking of form G3 – 1000 FRS

The maximum number of subjects to register at the GCE Advanced Level is five papers. The educational system is divided into two: Science (S) series and Arts (A) series.

Advanced Level Subjects (Series) Combination

A). GCE Advanced Level Science Subjects Combination (Series)

There are 8 science series combinations and it is called S

S1: Chemistry, Physics, and Pure Mathematics.

S2: Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.

S3: Biology, Chemistry, and Pure Maths.

S4: Biology, Chemistry, and Geology.

S5: Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics.

S6: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics.

S7: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics.

S8: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics.

B). GCE Advanced Level Art Subject Combinations (Series)

There are 5 Arts series (A-Series) for Advanced level students as follows;

A1: Literature, History, and French.

A2: History, Geography, and Economics.

A3: History, Economics, and Literature.

A4:  Economics, Geography, and Pure Mathematics (Mechanics or Statistics)

A5: Literature, History, and Philosophy.

It is worth noting that A2 and A4 are referred to as Social Science. Other subjects that candidates can include in the combination of the above subjects are; Information Communication and technology (ICT), Computer Science, Religious studies, Food Science and Nutrition, English language, etc.

Concluding Remark

Schools just resumed and it is still the first week. Some are confused about what to take but I pray you come across this article to know which essential questions to answer before making a choice. You first need where to go before deciding which road to take.

What do I want to be in the future? Which career options are at my disposal if I choose this or that series combination? Remember, the second cycle determines what career paths you can choose at the University. “Forewarned is forearmed”.

Parents play a role at this level as well as they believe the child does not really know how the job market works or have their career paths in mind for their children. This is not deniable but please ask your kid's opinion to know what he\she thinks before giving your own suggestion.

If he\she says what you think is not good enough, instead of imposing or fighting over it, sit the child down and discuss it calmly. Make the scenario look like two good friends sharing ideas and giving suggestions. Listen to him\her first before giving yours.

It will be much easier this way. It would be unreasonable to force an adolescent to do something against their wish. This is the stage most parents would agree that it is not easy to handle especially when it comes to communication.