As many of us may already know, especially those of us residing in the beautiful country called Zimbabwe, Ordinary Level examination results were released a few days ago for our beloved secondary scholars. For some, the results were a source of extraordinary joy, and for others, a great disappointment.

As a parent, guardian, or former O’ Level candidate, you may be wondering what comes next, now that O’ Level is done and dusted. In this article, we explore your diverse options.

1. Onwards to Advanced Level (A’ Level)

If you passed extraordinarily well and have geared up for a tremendous academic challenge, Advanced Level may be for you. Most candidates are allowed a choice of 3 to 4 subjects, to form a combination that strategically positions them for a career of their choice. Maths, Biology, and Chemistry for a career in Health Sciences such as Medicine or Pharmacy – Maths, Accounting and Economics for a career in the Finance field, and a combination of subjects like English Literature, History and Geography or Art for careers in Social Sciences and Humanities.

While the subjects at A Level are significantly fewer than those studied at O Level, don’t be fooled into thinking that they are also easier. A Level is undoubtedly one of the most taxing academic feats a student can undertake. A general guideline is this: you are likely to score one or 2 grades lower at A Level than you did at O Level. That means, without lots of hard work, dedication and strategy, your A at O Level can turn into a B, and your B into a C or D at A Level. If you’re not willing to take this gamble, you’ll be happy to know there are other options which can equally get you into University.

2. Off to Technical College

As long as you have 5 good Ordinary Level passes, including Maths, Science and English, you qualify for a place at a Technical College or Polytechnic. Completing a year at such an institution gives you a Certificate, 2 years – a Diploma and 3 years, a Higher National Diploma.

A number of Polytechnics in Zimbabwe have partnered with local Universities and are now able to confer degrees for selected programs if you study for a certain number of years. This means that you can skip A Level and still get your degree through a Polytechnic.

Another option is to use your College diploma to get into any University of your choice. This is called Mature entry and is the best choice for those who either don’t perform well at A Level or choose to forego A Level and head to College right after their O Levels.

3. Rewrite Ordinary Level

There may be instances when it’s not possible to move on to A Level or enrol at a Polytechnic after Ordinary Level, often because of poor or insufficient passes at O Level. This can happen if you pass less than 5 subjects, or if the subjects you have passed don’t give you a meaningful or relevant combination at A Level.

Your future career of choice may also require strong passes in specific subjects, which you might have failed. If any of these scenarios apply to you, it.might be a great idea to rewrite your Ordinary Level, with specific focus on those subjects you need to pass in order to ascend to the next stage of your academic journey.

Finally, whatever choice you make, it’s important to understand that this is your journey as a student. Own it. Parents and guardians may try to motivate you or steer you in a certain direction, but your success is solely in your hands. Be committed, driven, focused, and diligent.

The best in life awaits you!

For career coaching services, career strategic planning or speaking engagements, kindly WhatsApp +263 774 136 020 or email kamvacareer@gmail.com.

Image by Image by krakenimages.com on Freepik