GCE Ordinary Level in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Ordinary Level (O-level) is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification in Sri Lanka, conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is based on the Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification. An O-level is a qualification of its own right, but more often taken in prerequisite for the more in-depth and academically rigorous Advanced Level exams. It is usually taken by students during the final two years of Senior secondary school (Grade 10 & 11 (usually ages 15–16)) or external (non-school) candidate. The exam is usually held in December. The exams are held in three mediums Sinhala, Tamil and English. The exam is the basic Certificate awarded in Sri Lanka as proof of completion of Secondary Education. The GCE O/L examination is an important milestone for students as it determines their eligibility to pursue further studies at the Advanced Level (A/L) or vocational training courses. Structure and Subjects 
G.C.E. (General Certificate of Education) Ordinary Level (O/L) examination consists of 6 main subjects along with three optional subjects which can be selected according to the candidate’s wish (Known as basket subjects) and altogether 9 subjects. Mandatory Subjects 
Below are the 6 mandatory subjects,

 Sinhala/Tamil 
 English
 Mathematics
 Science
 Religion
 Buddhism
 Catholicism / Christianity
 Hinduism
 Islam

 History

Basket Subjects 
The optional subjects are categorized in to three categories (Baskets). Only one subject can be selected from one category. They are as below,

First Category 

 Business & Accounting Studies
 Geography
 Civic Education
 Entrepreneurship Studies
 Second Language - Sinhala (For students whose dominant language is Tamil)
 Second Language - Tamil (For students whose dominant language is Sinhala)
 Pali Language
 Sanskrit Language
 French Language
 German Language
 Hindi Language
 Japanese Language
 Arabic Language
 Korean Language
 Chinese Language
 Russian Language

One subject can be selected from the above 1st Category. Second Category 

 Eastern Music
 Western Music
 Carnatic Music
 Eastern Dancing
 Bharatha Dancing
 Art
 Appreciation of English Literary Texts (English Literature)
 Appreciation of Sinhala Literary Texts (Sinhala Literature)
 Appreciation of Tamil Literary Texts (Tamil Literature)
 Appreciation of Arabic Literary Texts (Arabic Literature)
 Drama and Theatre

One subject can be selected from the above 2nd Category. Practical Tests for the Subjects of Second Category 
In the second category, candidates must face both a practical test and a written test for the subjects Drama and Theatre, Oriental Music, Western Music, Carnatic Music, Oriental Dancing & Baratha Dancing. In Drama and Theatre, candidates will be asked to perform an act-out and sing a song. In Western Music, a candidate could be asked to perform a piece on any given instrument as well as an instrument of their choice. In Dancing, candidates will be asked to perform a dance as well as sing. There aren't any practical tests for the Art subject. The candidates face an exam paper and are asked to draw. For Literature subjects, namely English Literature, Sinhala Literature, Tamil Literature and Arabic Literature, there isn't any practical test. Candidates only face a written examination in which their writing abilities are evaluated. Third Category 

 Information & Communication Technology
 Agriculture & Food Technology
 Aquatic Bio resources Technology
 Arts & Crafts
 Home Economics
 Health & Physical Education
 Communication & Media Studies
 Design & Construction Technology
 Design & Mechanical Technology
 Design, Electrical & Electronic Technology
 Electronic Writing & Shorthand

One subject should be selected from the above 3rd category. All the above mentioned subjects are not available in each and every government / state run school due to lack of teachers, funding and resources. Grading 
The grades for the above subjects are normally graded as below,

Candidates who receive a grade of ‘W’ are considered failed in that particular subject. To be able to pass is to at least have a ‘S’ in the mandatory 6 subjects and if you fail all of the optional subjects but pass the 6 mandatory then you can still pass but if you get a ‘W’ in any of the mandatory subjects it is a immediate fail. Former Grading System 
The grading system. marks > 75 "A"
marks 65 - 75 "B"
marks 55 - 65 "C"
marks 40 - 55 "S"
marks < 40 "W/F"

See also
 Education in Sri Lanka
 List of schools in Northern Province, Sri Lanka
 Sri Lankan universities
 Government Schools in Sri Lanka
 GCE Advanced Level in Sri Lanka

External links
Ministry of education
Department of Examination

Educational qualifications in Sri Lanka
School qualifications
School examinations