A query about A levels and AS levels . Look below?

[ave imperator mortituri te salutant]

Well , I`m 16 , (I`m Indian ) and hope to go to the UK for college . So , I did my research , and found out I have to take something called the A levels . However , most sites are frighteningly ambiguous , and don't answer all my questions . My questions are -

1 . A-levels are the exams you take for college , aren't they ? And AS levels are predecessors ?
2 . Can you directly give the A levels without taking the AS levels ?
3 . Is the course for the AS levels related to and tested in the A levels ?
4. I`m applying to Cambridge for 2014 , so I`ll be giving the A levels in June 2013 , and applying by June 2013 through UCAS . When do the A level results come out ?
5 . Till they do , who will give my predicted grades ? Can I ?
6 . I`ll be applying for Sociology , so my A levels will include Sociology ( quite obviously ) , I need 2 more , what others should I choose ? I`ve heard they`re quite selective about what they want .
7. What kind of score do I need in the IELTS examination to get into Cambridge ?
8 . My extra-curriculars include -
1. I`m a member of the school choir .
2. I`ve participated in the IIM-TOBU Innovation Challenge organised by the Oxford-Brookes University in the UK , in which I won the third prize , winning Rupees 20,000 . Contestants all over India participated . It was 3000 word essay . The topic was Deploying Social Media To Build Campaigns Which Will Help India Grow , it`s directly related to Sociology , the focus being on rural and agrarian India
3. I play the classical guitar , and have completed Level 4 , practical and theory .
4. I`ve won the National Guitar Competition in 2012 , winning first prize in the junior category , 30000 rupees .
5. I`ve volunteered in various NGO`s , like Humana People to People , andthe World Wildlife Fund .
Also , is A* better than an A ?
Yes , my mistake, I`m refering to University , not college .