Choosing Your Path: Subjects for A/L Arts Students in Sri Lanka
The G.C.E Advanced Level examination is a crucial stepping stone for Sri Lankan students. While there are multiple streams to choose from, Arts remains a popular choice due to the vast array of subjects offered. This blog post will guide you through the different subject combinations available in the Arts stream.
Understanding the A/L structure
For your A/Ls, you can select three subjects from five main areas: Arts, Commerce, Science, Technology, or a mix. General English and a Common General Test are mandatory but don’t contribute to your university entrance z score.
A World of Subjects Awaits
The Arts stream boasts over 60 subjects categorized under four main areas:
- Subjects – Economics, Geography, History (Sri Lankan history and Indian history or European history or World history), Home Economics, Political Sciences, Logic and Scientific method, Accounting or Business Statistics, Agriculture or mathematics (One subject from Technological studies – Civil/ Mechanical or Electrical/ Electronic and Information Technology or Food Technology or Agro technology or Bio-Resource Technology), Communication and Mass media, Information and Communication Technology)
- Social Sciences/Applied Social Studies: Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Logic, Accounting, Agriculture, Communication and Media, and more.
- Religious and Civilization Studies: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Greek & Roman Civilization. (You cannot choose both a religion and its civilization subject.)
- Aesthetics: Art, Dancing, Music, and Drama. You can select one or two subjects from this category.
- Languages: National (Sinhala, Tamil, English), Classical (Arabic, Pali, Sanskrit), and Foreign Languages (including Chinese, French, and Japanese). Interesting combinations are encouraged! You can choose one or two languages, with exceptions for selecting three national languages or three classical languages together.
Choosing Your Perfect Combination
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Consider your interests, strengths, and future career aspirations. Here are some tips:
- Social Sciences: At least one subject from this category is mandatory. You can even choose two or three, but this might limit your language options.
- Languages: The new curriculum encourages exploring international languages.
- Think Outside the Box: Innovative combinations like Math, IT, and Economics are becoming increasingly popular.
Do Your Research
Understanding the courses offered by national universities will give you an edge when selecting your subjects. Remember, some subjects might not be available at your school.
The Final Note
The Arts stream offers a vast selection of subjects, allowing you to craft a unique path towards your future. So, explore your options, choose wisely, and remember, there’s a perfect subject combination waiting for you!
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