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)
Over 9,000 centres
in 164 countries (incl. UK)
The worlds largest provider of
14-19 International
Qualifications
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
(Form 5)
NCEA Level 1 (5)
IGCSE (4 or 5)

Year 12
(Form 6)
NCEA Level 2 (5)
AS Level (4 or 5)

Year 13
(Form 7)
NCEA Level 3 (5)
A2 Level (3 or 4)
(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
_________________________________________________________
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 Standard
Grade D in IGCSE Mathematics
(Equivalent to NCEA Level 1 Numeracy)
University Restricted Entry and Rank Scoring
The University of Auckland
A 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!