It has since changed, A=120 not 140, and B=100. BBB is now 300 points. Certain boards (i.e. CIE) have made it easier to score B or better and A or better after introducing A* so the tariffs reflect that accurately, though the tariffs are imprecise in general for mostly everything.
Yes, I am aware of the recent actions taken by the government and the proposed plans that are set to be implemented after Jan 2011... it's unfortunate.
I just think (however dire your situation) that a string of As aren't always needed. Yes, most people have to slug it out in offices like some of us do, and yes, graduate schemes are hiring freshers so A level results still matter to them, and they filter candidates with certain minimum scores. If they use a 340 points filter, then A*AC, A*BB, A*AEE, A*BDE, A*CCE, AAB, AADE, ABCE, ABDD, BCCC etc would've been enough.
Added on January 24, 2011, 9:51 amTo those who question A levels and the differences between exam boards, this is what CIE says to the question "What is the difference between CIE and OCR GCE AS/A levels":
< The level is the same, as CIE's qualifications are aligned with OCR (our sister organisation and a leading UK exam board). However, there are a few key differences:
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Cambridge International A Levels are specifically designed to suit the needs of an international student body.
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Contexts or examples used in Cambridge syllabuses and question papers are culturally sensitive in an international context.
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In some cases, CIE has developed country specific variants to meet local needs, for example in Brunei CIE developed a suite of Religious Studies Cambridge International A Levels focusing on Islam and the Quran.
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Cambridge International A Level is used as the national qualification in a number of countries, for example Mauritius and Brunei.
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There is a much wider range of subjects available at Cambridge International A Level, for example the wide range of languages offered.
The UCAS UK Qualifications Handbook Entry for Cambridge International A and AS Levels states that they are acceptable at grades A* to E in lieu of UK GCE A and AS Level on a subject-for-subject and grade-for-grade basis.
It should be noted that Cambridge International A Levels are different in structure from UK A Levels. Whereas UK A and AS Levels are modular and students can retake individual components, the Cambridge International A Levels have a linear structure which encourages a more integrated study of the entire subject. Most students take all their Cambridge International A Level papers in one series. Students who take Cambridge International AS Level first and then want to retake it must generally take the whole of the Cambridge International AS Level. >
So yeah, basically the British (and overseas) schools have come to accept CIE's or Edexcel's A levels (or O levels or GCSEs or IGCSEs) as the same as those taken in the UK (even if they may be harder). All that matters is you do it and do it well.
I've been trying to find the in-depth difference between the two boards since i was contemplating on which to choose. You made my work easier