GCE A/L Physical Science subjects: Exam and Subjects Guide

The GCE Advanced Level Physical Science subjects or GCE AL Physical Science stream subjects in Sri Lanka are available in three medium such as Sinhala, Tamil and English. GCE (A/L) subjects and its availability can differ per each school. Therefore, students could compulsory select subject as per availability. However, private students who apply individually than schools have more options when it comes to choose subjects.

Combined mathematics, chemistry, higher mathematics and physics are available subjects for GCE A/L Physical Science.

Physical Science (Maths)

Chemistry Combine Mathematics Higher Mathematics Physics

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level examination is an important qualification for students seeking admission to universities in Sri Lanka or overseas. One of the most popular subject combinations for GCE Advanced Level students in Sri Lanka is Physical Science, which is a combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Physics studies matter, energy, and their interactions. It deals with mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. The GCE Advanced Level Physics syllabus in Sri Lanka covers these topics in detail, along with practical experiments and problem-solving exercises. The examination consists of three papers, each three hours in duration.

Chemistry is another natural science that deals with the properties, composition, and behavior of matter. The GCE Advanced Level Chemistry syllabus in Sri Lanka covers topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Like Physics, the examination consists of three papers, each three hours in duration.

Mathematics deals with the study of numbers, quantities, and shapes. The GCE Advanced Level Mathematics syllabus in Sri Lanka covers topics such as calculus, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Mathematics is a compulsory subject for students taking Physical Science as their subject combination.

GCE AL Technology subjects: Exam and Subjects Guide

The GCE Advanced Level Technology subjects or GCE AL Technology stream subjects in Sri Lanka are available in three medium such as Sinhala, Tamil and English. GCE (A/L) subjects and its availability can differ per each school. Therefore, students could compulsory select subject as per availability. However, private students who apply individually than schools have more options when it comes to choose subjects.

Like other streams, students have to select three subjects for Technology stream. The main A Level Technology subjects are as follows:

Technology stream Subjects

Agro Technology Engineering Technology General Information Technology Information & Communication Technology

GCE AL Arts subjects in details: Exam and Subjects Guide

GCE AL Arts subjects have big list when you compare other subjects in commerce, bio science, physical science and technology stream. Advanced level Arts stream is most popular area as many students enroll. Also, A Level Arts stream has approximately sixty subjects. Those subjects can categorized into four different areas as follows:

• Languages
• Religious and Civilization
• Social Sciences/ Applied Social studies 
• Aesthetics

Arts subjects and categories 

Here is AL Arts subjects list with categories.

Category	Subjects
Languages	National languages: Sinhala Tamil English Classical languages: Arabic Pali Sanskrit Foreign languages: Chinese French Hindi Japanese Malay Russian
Religious and Civilization	Buddhism / Buddhist Civilization Christianity / Christian Culture Hinduism / Hindu Civilization Islam / Islam Civilization Greek & Roman Civilization
Social Science	Economics Geography History (Sri Lanka / India / Western / Word) Home Economics Political Sciences Logic and Scientific method Accounting / Business Statistics Agriculture / mathematics Communication and Mass media Information and Communication Technology
Aesthetics	Art Dancing (Sri Lankan / Indian) Music (Oriental Music / Carnatic / Western) Drama and Theatre

However, you can also select three subjects from streams (Commerce, Biological Science, Physical Science and Technology) as an Art student for GCE Advanced Level examination, and it called subject combinations.

GCE AL Commerce stream subjects in Sri Lanka: A Simple Guide

The GCE AL Commerce stream subjects in Sri Lanka are available for student in Sinhala, Tamil and English language as a medium. The Sri Lankan G.C.E A/L Commerce exam is held these three languages. Selection of GCE (A/L) subjects could available as per schools. Some might have limited subject, but candidates can select three subject as per education ministry’s regulations.

Popular subjects in The GCE Advanced Level Commerce stream are Economics, Business Studies, Accounting and Statistics Business. You can also choose other subject combinations. See the following table for Popular Commerce stream subjects:

Commerce stream (Popular subjects)

Accounts

Business

Economics

Accounts

Accounting and accountant are very close term even though there have differences. Accounting is to reporting, and analyzing financial activities with recording account and summarize it. Accountant performs the tasks by produce and analyze financial reports. The Commerce stream gives the platform to students on accounting. Therefore, they can understand business procedures such as analysis, financial reporting, account managerial, and tax reporting. 

Business studies

Business studies give the understanding of the business world and its procedures such as marketing, business environment and processes. Business studies is part social science where students can learn about managing people to towards profit.

Economics

Economics is the study of the products and production. Also it deal with distribution and consumption of goods and services. It analyzes economic nature, predict market and social pattern such as governments, institutions, companies, firms and more.

GCE AL Bio Science subjects: Exam and Subjects Guide

GCE AL Bio Science subjects in Sri Lanka play an important role to prepare students for better future. Like other streams, Bio Science has Sinhala, Tamil and English medium. Students can follow three subjects and bio science stream has the following subjects.

Bio Science subjects

Agriculture Bio System Technology Biology Chemistry Physics Science for Technology

However, biology, chemistry and physics are most popular subjects in A Level subjects.

Biology

Biology is one the main subjects in science stream that deals with lives. It teaches animal life as zoology, plant life as botany, and microorganisms as microbiology. When it comes to human life, it teaches human biology, anatomy, study of cells as cytology, genetics, evolution, physiology and diversity.

Chemistry

Chemistry teaches natural sciences that deals with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions. Chemistry connects into physics and biology. It would teach you that all you could touch, smell or taste is a chemical. 

Physics

Physics teaches how matter and energy interact with each other. The energy could be a form of radiation, motion, light, gravity, electricity, etc. The matter could be start from sub-atomic particles to universe. Physics also would be fundamental of the natural sciences. Since physics covers many areas, it would be categorized into some fields of study such as quantum physics, electronics, astronomy, and biophysics.

DP Education: Empowering Sri Lankan Students

DP Education is an online education and it called itself as “Sri Lanka’s largest online school”. It has a website, www.dpeducation.lk that give options for student who can select medium what they have studies at school, and the language medium could be Sinhala, Tamil or English. Also, you may access it by Google Play, App Store, AppGallery and Microsoft’s Window Apps as well as it has social media pages. Students can learn Sri Lankan syllabuses of Mathematics, Science, and English from grades 3 to 13 for free of charge. 

DP Education was initiated by Mr. Dhammika Perera who has DP Foundation that runs YouTube channel where students can learn from home. Also, he launched other projects in order to give free education. 

DP Education and other free education projects

While DP Education supports students from grades 3 to 13 other projects support other, and they are DP Kids, DP Digital University, DP Coding School and DP IELTS. These are free online learning platforms, and it targets for children, school students, university students, and others regardless of barriers. However, apart from children and school students, the medium would be English. 

DP Kids - dpkids.lk

DP Kids is for children with the age limit of 2 -7 years old in order to support children’s education for free. It has a fun learning platform. It has over 2300 videos of songs, arts and craft videos for entertain students. Also, it has learning method on letters, numbers, shapes, colors and more. 

DP University - dpuni.org

DP University is path to direct on online courses that offer by famous universities around the world and well as famous institutes. It could free course and paid course for all ages. The facility could access by online.

DP IELTS - dpielts.com

DP IELTS is designed IELTS students for learning and improving the English in reading, writing, speaking and listening. It could help to prepare for IELTS examination. It has facility of test English knowledge with Artificial Intelligence-assisted IELTS mock-up test. It is free too.

DP Code - dpcode.lk

DP Code is launched for children and teens. They could learn program coding and develop critical thinking skills. Students can access free coding video lessons.

A/L Arts stream subjects in Sri Lanka

The GCE Advanced Level Arts stream subjects or G.C.E A/L Arts stream subjects in Sri Lanka are available in three medium respectively Sinhala, Tamil and English. The Sri Lankan GCE AL Arts exam is held these three languages. All GCE (A/L) subjects could not available in all schools. However candidates could select required subject as per regulations.

Here is the list of A/L Arts stream subjects in Sri Lanka.

Arts stream subjects

Arabic Art Bharatha Natayam Buddhism Buddhist Civilization Chinese Christian Civilization Christianity Communication & Media Studies Dance Economics English French Geography German Greek and Roman Civilization Hindi Language Hindu Civilization Hinduism History Home Economics Islam Islamic Civilization Japan Language Logic and Scientific Method Oriental Music Pali Language Political Science Russian Sanskrit Sinhala Tamil Western Music

Arts stream subjects for Sinhala medium includes above all subjects except Tamil language. Also Tamil medium excludes Sinhala language. Likewise, English medium excludes both Sinhala and Tamil. However, an external candidate could take any subjects regardless of medium and regulations of Sri Lankan schools. 

In some extents, Commerce stream subject Economics and Bio Science stream subject Agriculture could select by an Arts steam candidates. 

Sri Lankan GCE AL Subjects: A Complete Guide

Sri Lankan GCE AL Subjects will be changed as per medium since the exam is held in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. GCE (A/L) Sinhala, Tamil and English subjects differ per language and candidates can study and attend exam via respective medium. G.C.E (A-level) is diversified into 5 major fields of study and G.C.E (A/L) subjects are as follows:

 

Stream	Subjects
Arts	Arabic Art Bharatha Natayam Buddhism Buddhist Civilization Chinese Christian Civilization Christianity Communication and Media Studies Dance Economics English French Geography German Greek and Roman Civilization Hindi Language Hindu Civilization Hinduism History Home Economics Islam Islamic Civilization Japan Language Logic and Scientific Method Oriental Music Pali Language Political Science Russian Sanskrit Sinhala Tamil Western Music
Commerce	Accounting Business Statistics Business Studies Economics
Bio Science	Agriculture Bio System Technology Biology Chemistry Physics Science for Technology
Physical Science (Maths)	Chemistry Combine Mathematics Higher Mathematics Physics
Technology	Agro Technology Engineering Technology General Information Technology Information & Communication Technology

Sri Lanka G. C. E. Advanced Level: A Complete Guide

Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L), aka GCE (AL) is qualification exam to academic studies / entrance to Sri Lankan universities as per respective steam and result. The examination conducts by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is similar to the Advanced Level in UK.

After successfully passed the GCE O/L, students (usually at the age of 18-19) in government schools must complete two years GCE AL studies which is generally known as Grade 11 and 12 and then sit for the test. External candidates (non-school) also are able to sit for the exam.

Pupils sit for the examination through their respective schools. The exams are held in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages.

G.C.E (A-level) studies and examination are diversified into 5 major streams (fields of study). They are as follows:

Stream	Subjects
Physical Science	Combined mathematics, Physics and Chemistry or information technology
Biological Science	Biology (Botany and Zoology), Physics or Agricultural science and Chemistry
Commerce	Business Studies, Business Statistics, Accounting & Economics or Information Technology
Arts	Multiple choices
Technology	Engineering Technology, Bio-system Technology, Science for Technology and a category subject

Students should select three subjects in the specific stream. Additionally, General English and a Common General will be tested. General English is not taken into account for the entrance criteria of university. However, students should to obtain a pass mark form the Common General. 

Each year in August, the exam conducted in selected schools across the country. Candidates are allowed to attend for the exam 3 attempts to qualify for a state university. Also, candidates have to meet the requirements for university admission.

Sri Lanka G.C.E (O/L): A guide to Ordinary Level

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level (O/L) is educational qualification Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan G.C.E O/L conducts by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is similar to England’s Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification.

Sri Lankan government education system starts from preschool (aka nursery) and then moves to Grade 1 - Grade 10, and the Grade 10 is known as GCE OL which is most notable study and its examination would allow further study, known as GCE Advanced Level – more in-depth and academically tough examination. Usually, students who complete the Grade 10, and non-school or external candidates can site for the examination at the ages of 15–16 or above.

The G.C.E (O/L) exams are held Sinhala, Tamil and English medium (languages). Private/international schools have similar OL examination as per their affiliated methods.

Refer: Sri Lankan GCE OL syllabus

G.C.E. (O/L) syllabus of Sri Lanka: A Complete Guide

General Certificate of Education - Ordinary Level (G.C.E. - O/L) is a Sri Lankan government’s education system that applies by the Examination Department in Sri Lanka. It is one of the key examinations to 16 years old students who study in government schools.  Literally, it is grade 11, and entry examination to General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) or G.C.E. (A/L). The G.C.E. O/L examination is held annually in December.

G.C.E. (O/L) syllabuses have six main subjects with three optional subjects. All 6 main G.C.E. (O/L) syllabuses / subjects are as follows as per its categorizations:

No.	Main Subject	G.C.E. O/L subject / syllabus
1	Religion	Buddhism Saivaneri (Hinduism / Shaivism) (Roman)Catholicism (RC) Christianity (Non RC) Islam
2	(Primary) Language	Sinhala Language and Literature Tamil Language and Literature
3	(Secondary) Language	English
4	History
5	Science
6	Mathematics

The above six main subjects are compulsory. However, students can select their religion and primary language.

There optional subjects are categorized in to three areas as given below. Students should choose three subjects from each area. All of optional subjects may not available in each government school.

Category	Optional subject	Type
1	Business & Accounting Studies	Commerce
	Geography	Geography
	Civic Education	Education
	Entrepreneurship Studies	Entrepreneurship
	Second Language (Sinhala)	Language
	Second Language (Tamil)
	Pali
	Sanskrit
	French
	German
	Hindi
	Japanese
	Arabic
	Korean
	Chinese
	Russian
2	Oriental Music	Music
	Western Music
	Carnatic Music
	Oriental Dancing	Dance
	Bharatha Dancing
	Art	Art
	Appreciation of English Literary Texts	Literary Texts
	Appreciation of Sinhala Literary Texts
	Appreciation of Tamil Literary Texts
	Appreciation of Arabic Literary Texts
	Drama and Theatre	Drama
3	Information & Communication Technology	IT
	Agriculture & Food Technology	Agriculture
	Aquatic Bio-resources Technology	Aquatics
	Arts & Crafts	Art
	Home Economics	Economics
	Health & Physical Education	Health
	Communication & Media Studies	Technology (Communication)
	Design & Construction Technology
	Design & Mechanical Technology
	Design, Electrical & Electronic Technology
	Electronic Writing & Shorthand

Once the paper connection completed, result will be announced and posted to each school and private candidates. The G.C. E (O/L) grades are given below.

Marks	Grade
100-75	A
74-65	B
64-50	C
49-35	S
below 35	W*

*Grade "W" is considered as failed. 

Note: You may use this OL guide to have a quick look.