Monday, April 11, 2011

What to do next in Sri Lanka if failed A/Ls.........?

This is for..................?

This article is not targetted at those who were lucky enough to get through the GCE A/L examination. This is targeted at the closer to 80% student population who do not have the bliss of obtaining basic qualifications to go to the next level.

Why this is .................?

This is mainly my reply to the young girl who sent me a letter in last month asking what to do when someone failed advanced level  examination. Since my reply to her can be useful to many other people, I'm publishing it here.

As I first read her mail, what came to my mind was the below dialog from the "Adventures of Alice in Wonderland".

'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'

'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.

'I don't much care where --' said Alice.

'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.

'--so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.

This has all I want to say. You asked me to show the direction. But it all depends on where you want to go.

But since you trust on me, may be I can help you with some tips.



What it is like to faile A/Ls....................?

My admin asked me "gosh is this an article topic?". hahahaha certainly yes. Because majority of the Sri Lankan students I meet think that, this is the end of life. Ironically they only think like that after they see the results sheet them selves ! Obviously an year before the exam, a month before the exam, on the exam and even after the exam they know that they are gonna fail for sure. But they actually feel it, after the results. Then its too late to change it unless you repeat the exam in next year. But for those who think, thats the end of the life, no thats not. Thats just an one important hurdle you missed in life.

For those who failed in A/Ls I'm telling you. You can still be anyone you want. You can still be a millioner. You can still be a very successful person. You can still be an expert in any field and gain the respect. If you want it, you can do it. I'll tell you how. But if you don't want it, I can't help with it. Its all up to you to decide !

What should you do if you fail GCE Advanced Level exam...............?

1. Why I failed A/Ls?

Out of many things, first think "Why you failed the exam?". The correct answer to this will guide you long way.

I have met many students who failed A/Ls. In my analysis, I categorised them in to couple of classes.

(a) Those who selected the subjects which they never liked. -

If this is the case, when you select the subjects for your further education, select what you like. For example, if you love music and if you are good at it and you did Bio science for A/Ls for some reason, do music in higher studies. (Now don't ask how to do higher studies without A/Ls, I'll tell you somewhere down in this article).

(b) Selected the right subjects, but did not given any effort to pass the exam.

That means you know what you have to put through when you do your further studies. If you are a person, who cannot concentrate at all, then also there are solutions.

(i) Just go for a good Yoga or a meditation programme which trains you through out some time.

(ii) Hang out with the right people. If your friends do not allow you to study, get away from them. They are not going to do any good to you.

(iii) If you can't study at home, go for a proper place like a library.


(c) Selected the right subjects, tried the best to pass, but couldn't make it.

 Unfortunately, I have to accept that there is a group like this as well. I met students who simply love mathematics. I belive anyone can be good at maths. But may be not in normal class room environment avalable for us at the moment.

I met some students who studied hard and came to school everyday, but could not understand a single geometric equation. It mostly depend on the way how a child is brought up, what activities he involved in since childhood etc etc.

If any parents who are reading this, wondering, how to make a young child good in mathematics, I would say there are many advice available in the net. Just do a google search. Below link is one example.


Its not only mathematics which comes in to this category. It could be any subject. I just took maths as an example.

For the students belong to this category, I have two solutions.

(a) If you still belive your self - Continue higher studies in this field. But you should understand the risk of it. You should understand how much of hard work you will have to put in to achive your target. Will you ever be able to shine as an engineer when you have serious problems with maths? I wouldn't say No. But for many reasons, I wouldn't go ahead with this suggestion.

(b) I would recommend you to go for higher studies with second best option. If you know that you can't dance for a tofee, you don't have any rhythm in you, give it up at right time. Select the second best thing you like and you can do.

 2. How to find an institute for higher education?

There are many places in Sri Lanka for higher studies. Depending on the field you want to study and depending on your financial capability, you can pick a place.

You are reading this means, you have access to internet. So please do a search. Most of it is in the net. Atleast you can find a contact number.

For those who have financial difficulties, there are many places which gives good education at a less cost I would say. If you really do a walk around, you can find free education methods as well. May be I will post another article on that. Until then here are few tips for you to look for. You can check from these, what are the additional routes of entering these places without A/Ls. (They have options like other exams, work experience etc).

I would say call these places. Go to them. Ask what subjects they offer. Check whether you can do those. Think whether you like those. Does it support to find a job in the market? Do an analysis before you a pick a one.

Below links have some useful details.

(a) Sri Lanka Institutes Directory

Other places such as Sri Jinarathana Vocational Traininig Institute,  National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), open university, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies etc which offers a good education at a reasonable price.

3. Find a basic job where you can get a good training

This is a very good option available to a poor student who failed A/Ls. Go for a job which will train you on a particular thing. Just don't care how much you get in the training years.

It may be an audit firm, a garage, a hotel kitchen, a construction company, a garment.... any place. Work very hard. Learn everything around you. Be good with people. Learn work from them. Do any work you get at this age. I can do any work in my office. From taking photo copies, fixing wires to managing the company, I can do anything. Because at some stage of my life, I've done those.

4. How to find a basic job?

May be I'll write a separate article on this :)

Until then do a check for your self  !!

70 comments:

Kusal said...

Also there are so many higher study options available and no one care about AL if you get a Dig :)by the way good post n keep this up :D

Nishadee said...

True that :) Thanks :)

dilum said...

Im dilum, and I got 1C and 3S[C for B.S and 2s for econ and accounting] for my A/L s in my 2nd shy ,1st shy I was faile[s3 and 1f for accounting studies].... I did CHARTED(cab I ) exam in 2013 March ,I just passed business english (53marks), pasing mark is 50 and all other subjects are failed[accounts 34,econ 33,maths 29]..
SO PLZ HELP ME SOMEONE ,MADAM/SIR, OR ANY FRIEND ...plz tel me what I must do for my future , i haven't a plan :-(

Nishadee said...

Hi Dilum,

1. Do you like doing chartered or becoming an accountant? If then study a bit hard and give it a try again. I'm sure you are not studying enough.

2. Or else if you don't like accounting field, then change your field. Decide what you like and what you can do. There has to be something you are good at. So choose to study in that particular field.

3. If you don't like studying anything, just start working. Start with any small job you like. Work hard and honestly. Love the work you do. May be then you will want to study again in that field. Then you will do with by heart.

Just don't give up. Your results don't mean anything. It doesn't mean you are a weak student. All you need is little bit of planning is lot of commitment. Good luck :)

Anonymous said...

I'm dil.i did al in science.i got one s pass in biology,i havnt any idea about my furure.so hw i go my target,tell me good path for go my target,i want to be a scientist(biomedical or computr).i dont face al exm again,nw i'm 20 years old.

Unknown said...

Hi i am supun.i did al in maths.i got c for all.i havnt any idea about my future.i have some money problems.i dont want to face al again.i want help to make my path.

Anonymous said...

i'm dulni . i did my a/ls in arts subjects and i got B pass for Sinhala , C pass for English and Media subjects but i failed econ .(i have been following a course of graphic designing ) i wish to be a graphic Designer . pls tell me, in future can i get a job in pvt company ?

Anonymous said...

keep blogging bro

Unknown said...

I passed my o/ls and did a/ls in languages.But i couldn't take even a single pass.I m very dissapointed. My family members ask me to do the exam again.But I dont have an idea what can I do. I cant memorize anything and I dont understand.pls help me

CourseNet said...

Now you can visit coursenet.lk to find after a/l courses in sri lanka.

Unknown said...

Hello, Im Gayathri. I did my A/ls in Bio science last year. I got 2 S passes and failed in physics, I did this time too, I'm hopeless in physics and I'm pretty sure I would fail this time too. I have no intention in doing 3rd shy. I love language and literature. I'm good at writing poetry and stories. Destiny brought me to this scientific life And I feel helpless. Please help.

Unknown said...

Sài Gòn thành phố nhộn nhịp, cuộc sống diễn ra nhanh chóng một ngày trôi qua thật nhanh thế có khi nào bạn tự thưởng cho mình một không gian quán cafe yên tính tại nơi ồn ào tấp nập này chưa? Nếu bạn có ý định ấy thì chúng tôi khuyên bận không nên bỏ qua quán cà phê đẹp quận 3 chúng tôi chắc rằng đây sẽ là một trong những địa điểm giúp ạn thư giãn tuyệt vời nhất. Một ly cafe một cuốn tạp chí nge một bản nhạc hòa mình vào thiên nhiên là một trong những sự lựa chọn nhiều nhất của chúng ta. Cho nên để tìm được cafe ngon ở sài gòn không mấy khó khăn. Nếu bạn có nhu cầu hãy ghé quá cafe casanova để thư giản, thưởng thức những ly cafe nhé!

Anonymous said...

Hai, I am doing my A/Ls next year. I'm doing commerce. But I don't like to do Commerce. I agreed to do it to satisfy my parents and also our school did't have the subjects that i wanted. Yet i didn't want to leave my school. Now I get really low marks ( All below 40s ). Now i regret for choosing Commerce. but still i feel that its TOO LATE to change my stream. My parents wants me to continue in the Commerce stream itself. Please give me some advice

Anonymous said...

thanks so much

Unknown said...

Brother never do what others like. I did my a/l yesterday in bio science and finished. I dont have hope to get pass because i did what my family members wanted me to do. Never ever do that. Try to love it or do what u love

Anonymous said...

check this out!
http://education.synergyy.com/2015/07/government-degree-programme-for-those-who-failed-g-c-e-al-foundation-course-2015-by-open-university-of-sri-lanka/

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi Im Shakila. I am doing mathematics for a/l. Our family is not a rich one. Therefore they hope my exam. As today there is no problem but I don't know about the future. If I would take 3s for mathematics can I have a job with a better income? Please help me.......,

iroshadhi said...

Hi.. I'm iroshani.. I did my advanced level in bio science 3times.. But I couldn't achieve even my target.. I couldn't get 3 s passes for in any time.. Now I feel helpless.. There are no targets to live.. I m helpless..and hopeless.. I don't know what should I do.. I'm so interested in studying..but I have to do nothing.. I don't know.. What should I do! I don't know that how to face my future.. Some times I feel leave from my life.. I don't know.. I like to do higher education.. But can I? If u have any idea.. Can u plz tell me.. There are no ideas in my mind.. Plz if u can Dr?

Anonymous said...

Hi i'm tharangi. I did my A/L last year(2016).but i got all subjects down (chemistry,physics,maths) so my parents are teling me to do 2 nd shy.. but i dont like i am going some revision classes also.. but now i am getting stresses so badly .... can ypu help me MADAM i dont know what should i do ( how ever i like to be an architectre, gabrden designer etc) plzz madam can you help me...i dont want to do a/l this year so how can go to my target without doing A/L ????

Anonymous said...

There's lot of job opportunities out here anyone who faced bio.. If u hv a problem abt money, jst joing with pharmacy and learn evrythng around u and jst do phrmcy course. It LL be let u nxt lvl... Don't be a bllshit..��

Unknown said...

hi...
i did gce a/l 2016 in maths stream but i failed in chemistry subject passed maths and physics. im confident that i can make myself to the campus. the problem is financial. then i started selfstudying to attempt 2018 a/l exam. please correct me if im getting the wrong decision..

Anonymous said...

Hello I'm Dilmi and I am sitting for ALS this August. But I am 100% sure that I will not pass one subject, Japanese language. Sitting for the exam again is so stressful and I don't want to go through that burden again. I talked to a NSBM and they said that the ones who failed can get a degree but must do another separate course prior to the degree.
All I want to know is whether a degree with one main subject failed in advance level acceptable? Will I get issues in finding a job? Please help... This I so frustrating... I am truly worried and disappointed ��

Unknown said...

I am yasmin I did al in bio stream I got only one s.in bio I have financial problem I am good in my ol well in english what I can do please madam my life is in trouble what I can do

Unknown said...

I am yasmin I did al in bio stream I got only one s.in bio I have financial problem I am good in my ol well in english what I can do please madam my life is in trouble what I can do

Unknown said...

Hi..thank u for this valuble post.
I Did A/L first time in 2016.so i have got two 's' passes for chemistry and physics and combined maths down.so i decided to do second shy in 2017.
But again i failed maths and 'c' for chemistry and 's' for physics ...soo i have no idea to do A/l again...Because i have financial problems.then i start to follow IT course and english course .
What can i do madam...
Plase help me to find any degree or course to success my future.
What are the best fields with my results ?
What are the degrees or courses which i can do?
hope ur kind reply madam .thank you.

Unknown said...

Hi..thank u for this valuble post.
I Did A/L first time in 2016.so i have got two 's' passes for chemistry and physics and combined maths down.so i decided to do second shy in 2017.
But again i failed maths and 'c' for chemistry and 's' for physics ...soo i have no idea to do A/l again...Because i have financial problems.then i start to follow IT course and english course .
What can i do madam...
Plase help me to find any degree or course to success my future.
What are the best fields with my results ?
What are the degrees or courses which i can do?
hope ur kind reply madam .thank you.

Unknown said...

Hi..thank u for this valuble post.
I Did A/L first time in 2016.so i have got two 's' passes for chemistry and physics and combined maths down.so i decided to do second shy in 2017.
But again i failed maths and 'c' for chemistry and 's' for physics ...soo i have no idea to do A/l again...Because i have financial problems.then i start to follow IT course and english course .
What can i do madam...
Plase help me to find any degree or course to success my future.
What are the best fields with my results ?
What are the degrees or courses which i can do?
hope ur kind reply madam .thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hi I am fazna.I did a/l in bio stream.got B pass for bio,C for chem and S pass for physics..my z score is not enough for university entrance so planning to do a course but am out of mind to choose a good course and I don't have any idea on degrees which have a big scoop now days..so madam kindly seeking your help.

Unknown said...

Hi..i am anjana i have friend he failed his al exam all the time..now he want to find a job however..what can he do pls help me for it...

Anonymous said...

I'm in your same situation... My school wants me to be the first doctor. But I hate biology stream,I'm not sure of being doctor as I'm afraid of blood. Just doing it becoz everybody wanted me to do.

Anonymous said...

Hi All,
I hope my personal experience finds you well and truly believe that my experience would be enough to answer different people above.


I did my GCE A/L examination in Mathematics Stream and I got 2 S passes for physics and chemistry respectively excluding General English(B) and was failed combined mathematics. (I think the reason is I was not interested in chemistry since grade 10 and cause of that, I was unable to properly go through combined maths). But I had an ambition to become an engineer since childhood.

But I didn't give up myself and even didn't try to do a/l again. Cause I felt it would waste my valuable time.

After completion of A/L Examination I was started doing the following courses,
Diploma in Software Engineering + Certificate in Electrical Engineering + Certificate in Electrical Programming and Automation within 6 months.

Fortunately I was able to enroll with a private university during that period, to start following an Electrical Engineering degree affiliated with a foreign university. But everybody thought I would be failed in engineering, cause I was failed combined maths in A/L's. But I never was given up!

I was started doing it and completed with 1st class honours and been the batch top :D.
Later, I thought to replace the black dot of my a/l career (my feeling) by doing a foundation course at open university.

Now I'm now working as a senior engineer at a well reputed sri lankan company (a very famous company) and possessed the following qualifications.

* CEng(UK & SL)
* PhD(UK)
* MSc Eng in Electrical Engineering @ University of Moratuwa
* MBA(UK)
* BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (UK)
* Diploma in Software Engineering (UK)
* MIET(UK) - ECUK Registered
* MIESL
* MIEEE
* 2 patents holder

And I'm now 28 years old. :D

So my friends, with my personal experience I would like to state you the below advice.

'DON'T GIVE UP. IF YOU HAVE THE ATTITUDE AND FORTITUDE DESTINY WILL BRING YOU WHERE YOU EXPECT TO BE'









Anonymous said...

Anyone who failed a/l's in maths or relevant, please go through the below link.

http://education.synergyy.com/2015/07/government-degree-programme-for-those-who-failed-g-c-e-al-foundation-course-2015-by-open-university-of-sri-lanka/

Unknown said...

Hey dear, I chose arts stream for my a/l's and I have done these subjects (English, Geography,GR.ROMAN.CIV) I had to under go some trauma during my final exams and I failed in G.C.E A/L.
In fact I'm gonna try 2nd shy.. meantime I thought of doing some courses for higher education as well. The thing is I'm struggling to choose a way and a good course for my higher education.
Please do can anyone guide me I feel down.

Anonymous said...

HI!
I have done my A/Ls from commerce and I got BS-c, Economics-s and accounts-F.it is really hard to think about second shy. Now I Am fallowing Higher national Dip in Human resource management can I know is there available job opportunities for me is my A/L results make trouble me to face interviews and What can i do

Anonymous said...

Hi I did als this year and last year i had only one s pass for physics and this year i'm pretty sure i will fail chemistry please tell me a option what are the opportunities i have with this 2 s passes what can i do ?

Hashen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hashen said...

Hy I did my als in bio stream in 2015 and 2016.and only I can get was a S pass for bio.then I skipped one yr and did in cmz stream this time.I only studied accounts.since that hpnd I had to study other 2 somehow.but surely I was stressed and panicked a lot.its not that I'm nt good at studies but I just can't make up mind to focus.I'm hoping that I would pass this time.but what my life will be like if I fail this time around too? I don't undestand.plz give me some advice to stand up.I want to make my life better.I just dnt undestand how.now i'm 22.plz help me

Unknown said...

Can you please tell me how can i apply for local syllabus a/L examination .and what stream is easier to do as am a science stream

Anonymous said...

I did my a/l in arts stream. But got 2passes please help me to follow my higher studies i didn't know what to do iam just passing 3years without a proper guide please give some advice to follow without wasting my life

Dinithi said...

I'm dinithi.I did a/ls for three times.1st time I failed physics and 2nd time also.and changed subject to agriculture.and third shy is ended up with f for chemistry.have no idea what to do??

Anonymous said...

I did A/L @2018 To Be Honest Results Came At 30th I was so sure I gonna get atleast 3S(I'm A Slow Lerner) So I Currently Doing HND On Business Management (ICBT) I Worked On KFC customer Care And Due Some Other Agent Issues I Left It I Was given A Chance To Join on pan Asia Bank Customer Care But Due My Results My Parents Want Me To Do A/L And Fully Concerntrat but I already know whats gonna happen so I currently hoping to do A/L And My HND And Work But My Parents Won't Let Me Work I Was Doing Good On My Job That They Offer Me Another Section like Pan Asia Bank But My Parents Against On The Job I Just Don't Wanna Be A Burden To Them I Wanna Work Out Somehow And I'm not really intrintere doing A/l Again(Bio-Tech) I like on business management and pretty good on it so far just tell me some options to avoid any matters and go on my life thank you for reading and pls reply If Possible Thank You!

Unknown said...

Same as me

Unknown said...

I also in the same situation however i have gain A for general english I also don't like to do second shy please anyone help me

Rashmi said...

I'm Rashmi.I did a/l 2018 in commerce stream.I got 2s for business studies & english. But I failed econ & accounting. I don't want to face a/l again. I don't have an idea what can I do. Pls help me.

Unknown said...

Im doing my Al in bio stream this august..but i know i cant get through this time...i did my best bt i dnt hve enough marks and nw i m losing my concentration so i decided not to write this time ...bt still i wanted to know whether my first shy will remain or not...

Unknown said...

Hi I'm dilini.i did my A/L in commerce stream.i got three B passes in 2015.i don't like account field.but I don't have any idea about my higer studies.pls help me.plz plz plz.i hope that anyone will help me to find a right way to my future.plz

Azra said...

Hi i am Azra I am doin lyceum teacher training while i applied to sit for the first time in a/ls commercs i thought a/l is easy n i ddnt even prepare there is only little days time.. I wasted my time uselessly but i have a confidence that i will get through..can i do it or not i am scared

Unknown said...

I faced to A/L in maths stream but I couldn't pass it cause I didn't study well and I couldn't focus on it.I don't wanna do A/L again.are there any courses which leads me to a degree without depending on A/L results(even in oversea)?

Dilki said...

Theres no update about this course after year 2015.i would appreciate if you could give me another link of that course.

Unknown said...

I did a/l s in bio stream..I could get only 2 s passes and i failed chemistry..so can i do any degree now

Unknown said...

Hi I did a/l in commercials stream. But I have single S pass. I have many financial problems. I'm still finding a job for feed my parents. I can't study again. I haven't any option. Plz help me

Unknown said...

Hi.I couldn't make to my target A/L s.I couldn't even get 3 s passes.But I like to do higher studies and get a degree like everyone else.I want to be honoured like a well educated person.I once tried commit suicide.But I still think that who failed greatly can achieve great. But I expect some guidance from someone .So please help me with it.Thank you very much

Unknown said...

A lot of my parent's money has wasted in the sake of my exams.But I couldn't get at least 3S passes.I am 21 already and I need to get a degree and be a successful person in my career within 5 years.Is it possible.I'm broken down.Please help me.

Unknown said...

Bro I also have the same problem as u got. I have got only 2s passes for my Al. I have failed in maths.but iam interested in mechanical engineering side can u please show me a correct path to achieve my dream?

Subi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Subi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hey I selected science stream and in the 1st shy I failed all 3 subjects and got B for English so I attempted 2nd shy in that also I failed all 3 subjects and got A for English. So without A/L results can I do a pharmacy course and I also need to do a degree plzz help me

Unknown said...

You can do a foundation year at a private institute and then it will give you the direct access to the degree program you want to do.

Unknown said...

You can do a foundation year at a private university and then proceed to a degree

ThenuOnline said...

Where did you do those courses?

Aurorah said...

Hey im aurorah ...
I did my als in btech stream last year .i got c and 2s. Im not interested in doing my als again. I dont know about any information regarding courses . i hv some financial problems . i would like to follow any course so that i could do a job and take care of my family . plss help me pls anyone . and thank u

Aurorah said...

Pls help me anyone ..
Im aurorah ..
I wanna follow a course (never mind any course) i hv some financial problems . i did my als last year and got 2s and C . How can i continue my career path ? What can i do next ? What course can i follow ? Where can i follow ?
Plsss help me im out of help !
I have suicided because of no way pls anuone guide me !!

Unknown said...

This Won't work But Good Try

Unknown said...

No dear please don't take any wrong decision.Life is worthy to live.Now you have passed in your A/L s.If you have some difficulty in following your higher studies due to financial problems, don't worry my dear friend. You can find a job with your O/L and A/L results.If you start to earn money you can save it for your higher studies.So then you can start to do any higher education course of your choice.
With the money you can earn from your job ,you can start a higher education course in a private university .

Unknown said...

I'm Tharushi.. I appeared 3 times. I failed all 3 of those times but with a lot of effort I want to do it again for the 4th time ... I can do it, can I?

Anonymous said...

Im dilu i did a/l two times but im faild.i cant understand wht i want to do now ?

Anonymous said...

Hi Im Dinethma. I did A/l in commerce side but sadly I got 2 C for English and BS, 1 S for accounting and also F for Econ. Oh gosh this make me driving crazy mam.I wanna apply for emirates Cabin crew but they expect the A/l result. I already achieved other things for that but unfortunately I stuck in here.Please tell me mam what can I do for this. But specially I know any 2 year diploma or degree can replace my A/l result.But I cant choose perfect solution for this, because of that Im stress about My future plans.please help me.

Anonymous said...

Woww 🥺❤️‍🩹 that's true

Anonymous said...

Thank u but its no use now unfortunately i was born in sri lanka, goodbye