I would say that is correct. UCAS regards a US high school graduation to be the equivalent of GSCEs even though most kids are 18 when they graduate and 16 when they take GCSEs. Remember however that they dont start school till 6 wheras many UK kids go at 4 so they are bound to be ahead. Many kids here will elect to do an Asoociates degree for two years befote going on to University. You do that at community college and it is equivalent of A levels and UCAS accept it as such. It bridges the gap between school and college effectively. It is no wonder our kids are ahead of their age group in US school as they will have had 1-2 years more schooling than a kid of their age here. The problems do start when american educated Brit kids go home, though I think Martin said his are doing OK so it must be possible to catch up.