Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) N.M. McIvor, Deputy Principal

Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

N.M. McIvor, Deputy Principal

What is CIE?

● The world’s largest provider of international qualifications for secondary school students

● Recognised globally as equivalent to UK qualifications

(Now available in UK state schools)

● A department of the University of Cambridge and an examining body since 1862

Where is CIE? (The ‘green’ countries)

The worlds largest provider of 14-19 International

Qualifications

Over 9,000 centresin 164 countries (incl. UK)

Over 2 million entries per year

CIE in New Zealand

● From 2002 - started in Auckland

- advanced by the ACSNZ

Over 50 New Zealand schools

10,000+ New Zealand students in 2012

CIE at Avondale College : The Dual Pathway

NCEA or CIE Year 11 NCEA Level 1 (5) IGCSE (4 or 5) (Form 5)

Year 12 NCEA Level 2 (5) AS Level (4 or 5) (Form 6)

Year 13 NCEA Level 3 (5) A2 Level (3 or 4)(Form 7) (Approximate NZ Scholarship/Yr.1

university parity)

How does a student move along the CIE pathway at Avondale College?

Year 10 IGCSE Mathematics (Junior acceleration)

Year 11 5 IGCSE (The norm)

or 4 IGCSE

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Year 12 4 AS Level + 1 IGCSE (The norm)

or 5 AS Level

Year 13 3 A2s + 1AS (The norm)

or 4 A2s

Note: 1 A Level = AS + A2 in a single subject

(Students finish with 3 or 4 A Levels overall)

What have CIE students achieved at Avondale College 2009-2011?

IGCSE 81% - 86% at A* - C Grade

with 38% - 43% of all results at A*- A Grade

AS Level 77% - 87% at A - D Grade

with 20% - 26% of all results at A Grade

A level 79% at A*- D Grade

with 26% of all results at A* - A Grade

What does CIE offer?● Extension and internationally - valued qualifications

● Quality syllabuses to learn – not just examinations

● Options for coursework and individual research

● Opportunities to localise learning

● A pathway into NZQA Scholarship success with AS or A Level

How does CIE operate?

● Examinations in October (AS resits in June)

● Separate exam papers for separate syllabus components (eg. IGCSE Chemistry is 3 papers)

● Practical examinations in the AS sciences

● Results are provided as grade and percentage

UK moderation of coursework marking

What can students gain from each syllabus?

Students build:

• Knowledge• Learning skills• Critical thinking• Creativity• Problem solving

Cambridge students become independent learners

How is each syllabus structured?

Each syllabus has clear:

● Aims that state the educational purpose of the syllabus;

● Assessments objectives that state what will be tested from each course component;

● Curriculum content that gives details about what candidates should know and be able to do in each syllabus component.

How does a student start CIE? (IGCSE)

● IGCSE is designed for students in Year 11

● It is ideal preparation for AS/A2 Level

● Subjects available from: Science, Arts, Humanities, English, Mathematics, Languages, Business and Technical

● Grades available:

Extended- A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, U

Core- C, D, E, F, G, U

What IGCSE courses does Avondale College have in 2012?

Accounting, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Applied ICT, English Literature, Geography, Graphics, History, Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics

Other IGCSE syllabuses may be added in 2013

What follows IGCSE? (AS and A2)

● Designed for students in Years 12 & 13

● Subject course = approximately 160 hours per year

● AS +A2 = a full A Level

● An international University Entrance qualification recognised and valued throughout the world

● Grades available: A*, A, B, C, D, E, U

What are the Avondale College AS/A2 Courses?

English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, History, Geography, Accounting, Business Studies, Applied ICT, Physical Education

Other AS and A2 courses may be added in 2013

How can CIE be used for University Entrance (UE) in New Zealand?

UE =At least 3 AS Levels – with D Grade

minimum (Equivalent to NCEA Level 3)

+Literacy Standard

Grade E in AS English (Equivalent to NCEA Level 2 Literacy)

+Numeracy StandardGrade D in IGCSE Mathematics

(Equivalent to NCEA Level 1 Numeracy)

University Restricted Entry and Rank Scoring

The University of AucklandA rank score will be calculated. At AS level, 60 points are awarded for A, 50 points for B, 40 points for C, 30 points for D and 20 points for E.

An A level counts as two subject units, therefore 120 points are awarded for A, 100 points for B, 80 points for C, 60 points for D and 40 points for E. The maximum rank score is 360

(Required totals range from 130 rank score [BA] to 280 rank score [BE Hons])

Subjects are usually needed from the tables of ‘approved’ subjects Table A: Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art Table B: Accounting, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry,

Economics,  Mathematics, Physics

Another subject can be used in conjunction with two ‘approved’ for entry until 2015

How can CIE be used for University Entrance overseas?

● Accepted subject for subject and grade for grade in lieu of UK AS and A Levels for admission to all the world’s major English speaking Universities

→ A Level grade combinations: AAA, AAB, (e.g. Ivy League and Oxford/Cambridge) or ABB, BBB,…for others

● University course credit and advanced standing is often available in countries such as the US and Canada

(e.g. one full year of credit)

Consult the CIE recognition website and individual university websites for entrance information

What performance feedback do CIE candidates receive?

● Practice assessment/examination results and teacher guidance

● Coursework checkpoints

● Forecast grades in Term Three

● Final results online in late January 2013 (Statement of Results)

Certificates are issued in March 2013

Further Points

● Examination fees (£)

● Assessment support (e.g. special assessment, special consideration, etc.)

● Future curriculum/assessment possibilities:

- Thinking Skills AS/A Level

- Global Studies AS/A Level

- The Pre-U Diploma

● Organisation and commitment are essential for CIE success

● To find out more:

- www.cie.org.uk and links

- Recommended reading lists

- GCSE and A Level material outside CIE

- School staff- mci@avcol.school.nz, Subject Directors/Heads of Department/Teachers

● CIE: A worthy challenge!