Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education – IGCSE
Students aged between 14 and 16 years prepare to sit for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education external examinations – IGCSE– the world’s most popular international qualification for 14-16 year olds. IGCSE provides an excellent preparation for Cambridge Advanced Level studies.
Cambridge A-Level
Cambridge A-Level is an internationally benchmarked qualification system to access universities around the world. Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course. The Cambridge International A Level is reported on a grade scale from A* (highest) to E (minimum required performance). A complete A-Level subject can be made of four or six units known as papers. Theoretically, there is no minimum or maximum number of A-levels that can be taken, but most of the universities require a minimum of three A-Levels.
Cambridge A-Levels offer two clear advantages:
- This qualification gives students the opportunity of studying in universities all over the world with the same conditions as a British student. It is not necessary to have a sworn translation of their EvAU grades or to validate the documentation required by the university, which can be a long and expensive process. Thus, the whole process is simplified.
- It has many benefits from an academic point of view since students are more prepared for university. By choosing between 3 or 4 subjects, the level of specialisation is higher, which also favours a more personalised, autonomous, and flexible learning.
- This educational system also allows students to develop professional skills that are currently in high demand in the labour market, mainly related to leadership and teamwork, communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
- The Cambridge A-Levels also offer personal benefits. Students learn how to organise themselves better, develop critical thinking, manage emotions, and use technological tools.
To sum up, the A-Levels are part of an educational system that not only allows students to access universities from all over the world, but also provides them with incomparable advantages academically, professionally, and personally. The first step to a successful and fulfilling personal and professional career.
Cambridge ICE Diploma
- Statements of results are issued to candidates who have entered for Cambridge ICE. Distinction, Merit or Pass are awarded to candidates who meet the requirements. Only Distinction, Merit and Pass achieved in the ICE Award will be reported on the certificate.
- Distinction is awarded if the candidate achieves grade A(a) or above in five subjects and Grade C(c) or above in two subjects.
- Merit is awarded if the candidate achieves grade C(c) or above in five subjects and Grade F(f) or above in two subjects.
- Pass is awarded if the candidate achieves grade G(g) or above in seven subjects.
The statement of results shows the Cambridge ICE outcome and the individual syllabus results for Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level syllabuses. Only individual syllabus results for the final series are shown on statements of results. Therefore, if a candidate is taking Cambridge ICE over more than one series, not all of the counting syllabuses are shown.
A group certificate is awarded for passing examinations in subjects drawn from three curriculum areas within Cambridge International AS & A Level. Curriculum areas include Mathematics and Science, Languages, and Arts and Humanities. Each AS Level is awarded 1 credit and a full A Level is awarded 2 credits. Students are required to achieve a minimum of 7 credits, including the AS in Global Perspectives & Research as a compulsory subject. The AICE Diploma is taken primarily in the USA. For more information visit www.cambridgeinternational.org/aice
The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group certificate which requires learners to study a compulsory core subject, Cambridge AS Level Global Perspectives & Research, with Cambridge AS & A Level subjects drawn from three curriculum areas: mathematics and science (Group 1), languages (Group 2), and arts and humanities (Group 3). There is the option to study interdisciplinary subjects (Group 4).
We hold Cambridge International AS & A Level exam series twice a year, in June and November. Results are issued in August and January. In India only, we offer a March exam series with results issued in May.
Cambridge AICE Diploma Credits
To achieve the Cambridge AICE Diploma, learners must achieve a minimum of seven credits (including Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives & Research) from subject groups 1, 2, and 3 (and optionally Group 4) to be awarded the Diploma. Learners must achieve at least one credit from each of Groups 1, 2 and 3. The remaining credits can come from any of the groups. A Cambridge International AS Level is a warded one credit, and a Cambridge International A Level is awarded two credits. Learners who pass the Cambridge International A Level in Global Perspectives & Research meet the compulsory requirement of the core group and also have one credit which may then be included in Group 4 to contribute to the overall requirement of seven credits. Learners counting Cambridge International A Level Global Perspectives & Research towards their Diploma may also use one outcome either from English General Paper (at AS Level only) or Thinking Skills (at AS or A Level). In this case, the use of Cambridge International A Level Thinking Skills in addition to Cambridge International A Level Global Perspectives & Research is allowed, even though this will exceed the two credit limit for Group 4. This is only allowed where this combination gives a learner their best overall outcome.
The following combinations of credits are valid for the Diploma:
When a learner’s best overall outcome is achieved through a combination of Cambridge International A Level Global Perspectives & Research and three Cambridge International A Levels, this will be allowed even though it equates to eight credits. The maximum number of points a learner can be awarded is 420.
Study and assessment options
Cambridge International AS Level is typically a one-year course and Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course. The structure of the course content and assessment makes it possible to co-teach learners who are following both the Cambridge International AS and A Level routes.
- Take all Cambridge International A Level components in the same examination session at the end of the course of study, normally the end of the second year.
- Follow a staged assessment to Cambridge International A Level by taking the Cambridge International AS Level qualification in one examination series, and the final part of assessment (Cambridge International A Level) in a subsequent series.
- Take the Cambridge International AS Level only.
Accumulating results over multiple exam series
A learner can accumulate results to be used towards the Cambridge AICE Diploma over more than one exam series. They can use up to five exam series to take the equivalent of seven full credit examinations as long as they are taken within a 25-month period. For example, a candidate entering for the Cambridge AICE Diploma in November 2017 may only use previous results gained in the November 2015, June 2016, November 2016 and June 2017 examination series.
These candidates must be entered for the Cambridge AICE Diploma in the final exam series. Please refer to the Cambridge Guide to Making Entries for information on how to enter students for the Cambridge AICE Diploma. The guide is available to Cambridge exam officers on Cambridge International Direct or you can contact us to request a copy.
Assessment
Cambridge International A Level uses a wide range of assessment processes and techniques to supplement formal written examinations – orals, practicals, projects and coursework of various types are all used in various subjects where they are the most effective and appropriate means of measuring attainment.
Learners who meet the requirements of the group award will receive a Cambridge AICE Diploma at one of three levels: Pass, Merit or Distinction. The level awarded is based on the overall Cambridge AICE Diploma score.
Cambridge AICE Diploma with Distinction: awarded to students with a score of 360 points or above. The maximum Diploma score is 420 points.
Cambridge AICE Diploma with Merit: awarded to students with between 250 and 359 points.
Cambridge AICE Diploma at Pass level: awarded to students with between 140 and 249 points.
Learners who do not meet the requirements of the group award will receive certificates for their individual subjects.
Online results verification service for universities
Cambridge International can give Admissions Office from universities access to Cambridge secure website, so they can view and verify students’ results online. Results are available for the previous five years. This is a free service. Students can apply for this service, they need to complete the online application form here - https://form.jotform.com/93301993242961