The Cambridge AS /
A Level and AICE
Diploma program
Sherry Reach
Regional Manager,
Americas
3 December 2012
Cambridge International Education is worldwide
9000
schools
160
9000
countries
schools
40
160
40
governments
countries governments
Cambridge Assessment
A department of the University of Cambridge
We are Europe’s largest assessment agency
and our tests are underpinned by our
substantial research program
We are at the heart of a global learning
community including more than 9000 schools
We work in partnership with educators
worldwide, including 40 national
governments, and the NCEE MOWR project
Progressive and flexible
The learner is at the heart of what we do
Setting
international
standards in
assessment
Assessment
Promoting good
practice in
teaching and
learning
Teaching
Offering choice
within a flexible,
relevant curriculum
framework
Curriculum
A Learner-centered approach
Our syllabi provide learners with the foundation to achieve high levels of
academic and personal learning in an engaging way. Together with
schools, we aim to develop learners who are:
Confident in working with information
and ideas – their own and of others
Responsible for themselves, responsive
to and respectful of others
Reflective as learners, developing their
ability to learn
Innovative and equipped for new and
future challenges
Engaged intellectually and socially, and
ready to make a difference
The subject syllabus is where it
begins…
www.cie.org.uk/
 Aims
 Assessment Objectives
 Description of assessment components
 Curriculum content
Including detailed summary of what candidates should
know, understand and be able to do
 Grade descriptions
 Resource list, including texts and much more
Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary
(AS) and Advanced (A) Levels
 Cambridge International A Level subjects are studied over two
years and have been available for over 50 years
 Cambridge International AS Level (1st half of an A Level) are
studied for one year and were introduced in 2001
 International relevance (not UK-centric)
 Flexible – two examination window series (late Spring and Fall)
 Available in a wide range of subjects with exams held specific dates
in May / June and October/ November (results reported in
August/January)
A Levels offer a Staged or linear assessment model
Two-stage structure
Year 1
Year 2
AS
exam
A2
exam
+
=
One-stage structure
A Level
Year 1
Year 2
study,
no exam
A Level
exam
+
=
A Level
College credits awarded for successful performance on AS
and AL exams in many US Universities
Advanced International Certificate of Education
(AICE) Diploma program
 an advanced academic qualification for students who are
studying Cambridge International A and AS Level subjects
 offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to individual
interests, abilities and future plans
 combines breadth of study with choice and flexibility
 involves the selection of subjects from three curriculum areas:
 Mathematics and Science
 Languages
 Arts and Humanities
As well as Global Perspectives to further develop 21st C Skills
AICE Group A - Mathematics and Sciences

Biology

Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics
Additional subjects available –
please visit www.cie.org.uk
AICE Group B - Languages
 English First Language
 Foreign Spanish Language
 Foreign Language
French
Additional subjects available –
please visit www.cie.org.uk
AICE Group C - Arts and Humanities









Art & Design
Economics
Geography
Global Perspectives
History (Euro, US & Int’l)
Literature in English
Literature in French
Literature in Spanish
Music
Additional subjects available –
please visit www.cie.org.uk
AICE Diploma Requirements
 Six credits to include one exam from each subject
group
 Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level exams passed count
as one credit
 Advanced (A) Level exams passed count as two credits
 The Cambridge AICE Diploma is awarded at either a
Distinction, Merit or Pass level dependent upon the
grades earned on the exams.
Cambridge Examination Grades
A*, A
Excellent
B
C
Good
D
E
Satisfactory
U
Not passing
Support for teachers and students
Teacher Support Website - Online
discussion groups and unit lesson
plans for teachers
Teacher Guides and Toolkits for
planning, teaching and preparing
students for success
 Past exam papers, rubrics,
Examiners’ reports
 Examples of student performance
at different grades
CIE endorsed textbooks,
workbooks
Professional
Development for
Cambridge Teachers
Online introductory self
study courses
Face to Face Training led by
Cambridge Teachers /
Examiners
Best Practices Workshops
led by experienced US
Teachers
Online Formative
Assessment training courses
Learn more!
Getting in touch with
Cambridge is easy
Email Sherry at
reach.s@cie.org.uk
or telephone
850 230 4770
www.cie.org.uk/usa