What admissions officers
need to know…
January 2015
What admissions officers need to know about
Cambridge International Examinations’ credentials
Presented by:
Val Sismey, Head of Recognitions, Cambridge International Examinations
Greg Roberts, Dean of Admissions, University of Virginia
Christoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University
Sam Saini, Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions, The University of
British Columbia, Canada
Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE
• Both are typically taken at age 16 but this does vary depending on the
country and school
• Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE are both aligned in standard to
the GCSE
• Cambridge O Level is awarded at Grades A*–E (and Ungraded)
• Cambridge IGCSE is awarded at Grades A*–G – two additional grades for
lower ability students
• Now more than 2000 UK schools are teaching Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses
• 22 Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses approved and funded for UK state schools
are known as Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificates.
Top 10 countries for Cambridge O Level and
Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge O Level
Cambridge IGCSE
Singapore
UK
Pakistan
Egypt
Mauritius
India
Brunei
UAE
Maldives
China
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
Zimbabwe
Argentina
Zambia
Indonesia
Cambridge International AS & A Level
• Wide choice of subjects
• Established and well known around the world
• 360 class contact hours, usually over two years
• Six passing grades A*–E, plus Ungraded
• Linear/staged examinations
• Retakes only permitted for whole subjects
• No immediate plans for change (unlike UK).
Top 10 countries for Cambridge International
AS & A Level
• Pakistan
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• USA
• China
• Brunei
• New Zealand
• Zimbabwe
• India
• Nepal
Most popular subjects in the USA
Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge International
AS & A Level
First Language English
General Paper
Mathematics
History
History
Thinking Skills
Biology
English Language
Literature in English
Marine Science
Chemistry
Literature in English
Physics
Mathematics
Art & Design
Art & Design
Coordinated Sciences
(Double Award)
Psychology
Economics
Biology
Current structure of the Cambridge AICE program
• To gain the Cambridge AICE Diploma students must pass with at least six
credits.

Each Cambridge International AS Level passed exam counts as one
full credit

Each Cambridge International A Level passed exam counts as a
double credit

Each Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject or GPR passed exam counts
as a double credit
• Students must pass at least one subject exam from each group: Mathematics &
Science, Languages, Arts & Humanities
• On completion of the Cambridge AICE Diploma, students receive either a
Distinction, Merit or Pass.
New structure for Cambridge AICE from 2017
• Cambridge International AS Level GPR as
compulsory core (with option of Cambridge
International A Level GPR for an additional
credit)
• Seven credits required rather than six
• Changes reflect our belief in the value of
GPR as an interdisciplinary core to the
curriculum alongside the depth provided by
other Cambridge International AS & A
Levels.
Cambridge Pre-U
• Alternative to A Level taken mainly in the UK
• 27 Principal Subjects
• Global Perspectives & Research (GPR)
• Diploma made up of GPR and three Principal
Subjects
• Short Courses in Languages, Mathematics and
Further Mathematics.
Grading
A Level
D1
Distinction
D2
D3
M1
Merit
M2
M3
P1
Pass
A/B boundary
C/D boundary
P2
P3
E/U boundary
Cambridge Pre-U exists in a defined relationship to A Level.
It is accessible to all who currently achieve pass at A Level.
Cambridge Pre-U and Cambridge International
A Level Global Perspectives & Research (GPR)
• Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives & Research (GPR)
constitutes compulsory core of Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
• New Cambridge International A Level in GPR launching
this fall
• Taught as two successive one-year courses – Global
Perspectives (a taught course) and a Research Report
• Excellent preparation for undergraduate study – gives real
evidence of independent, critical thinking
• Excellent alternative to Extended Project, Critical Thinking
and General Studies.
Statement of results
• A statement of results is provided for each
candidate.
• The statement lists each of the subjects that
the candidate was entered for and the
syllabus grades that have been achieved in
each case. From June 2010 this may include
a percentage uniform mark.
• For Group Award candidates the statement
will show the result achieved in the
Cambridge ICE or AICE (Diploma) Group
Award.
Sample certificate for Cambridge International
AS & A Level
Watermark
Upper and lower
case reporting of
grades achieved
Number of subjects
Hologram
Serial number
Signature of VC
of University of
Cambridge
Other hidden security
features are also present
on official Cambridge
documentation
CIE Direct – verify students’ results online
Email: Info@cie.org.uk to request a ‘University Access to Cambridge
Results Online Application Form’
University of British Columbia
•
Applicants are assessed on a
minimum of five courses: a minimum
of three approved academic A Levels
(or six AS Levels, or a combination of
the two) and two Cambridge IGCSE
subjects
•
English is a required subject for all
applicants (A Level or Cambridge
IGCSE)
•
Programs with specific pre-requisite
subjects require that they form part of
the five required subject assessment.
University of British Columbia
•
Academic assessment includes grades
for the five courses and is adjusted with
a ‘performance’ factor
•
On average, students presenting
Cambridge credentials perform much
like domestic students with similar
assessment outcomes
•
Performance in Further Mathematics is
highly correlated to success at UBC.
University of British Columbia
•
Applicants come from over 50 different countries – top countries are
Pakistan, UK, Singapore, UAE, Kenya, Bangladesh, Malaysia and China.
•
Students presenting final results of A*–B will receive credit. Usually six
semester credits are granted but in some cases fewer.
•
The new Cambridge International A Level GPR course is an acceptable
course for admission and suitable grades will also gain advanced credit.
Cambridge schools in the USA
The Cambridge AICE Diploma
The Cambridge Advanced International
Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma:
 is an international post-16 pre-university
curriculum and examination system that
emphasizes the value of broad and
balanced study
 is made up of Cambridge International
AS & A Levels
 demands mastery of subjects from three
different groups: Mathematics & Sciences,
Languages, Arts & Humanities.
Key benefits of the Cambridge AICE Diploma
 International recognition
 Flexible, broad and balanced
 International relevance
 Affordability.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels
•
University policy allows students to be awarded advanced standing credit or
placement based upon qualifying examination scores and the
recommendation of the appropriate Arts & Sciences departments
•
This is determined on a case-by-case basis, on the student’s initiative, by:
 the Dean’s Office in the College of Arts and Sciences
 the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the appropriate departments.
The pre-approved departmental equivalencies for
qualifying A Level examination scores
Subject
U.Va. equivalents
Accounting A, H2
COMM 2000T (6 credits) 1
Biology A, H2
BIOL 2010 (3 credits) and BIOL 2020 (3 credits); No
pre-approved lab credit.
Business Studies AS, H1
COMM 1000T (3 credits)
Economics A, H2
For grades of A or B only – ECON 2010 (3 credits)
and ECON 2020 (3 credits); No credit for grade of
C or lower.
Further Math A, H2
MATH 2000T (3 credits).
Government and Politics
A, H2
PLAP 1000T (3 credits) and PLCP 1000T (3 credits)
Psychology A, H2
PSYC 2000T (3 credits)
You can find further information at: http://college.artsandsciences.virginia.edu/iclec
Cambridge Global Perspectives &
Research (GPR)
•
Courses are designed to prepare students for university and welcomed as
such
•
Academic study in a practical, real-world context
•
Focus on skills rather than on specific content
•
Interdisciplinary
•
Uses a methodology called the critical path.
GPR: The critical path
The Cambridge learner from Duke’s perspective
•
Cambridge emphasizes depth, an interdisciplinary approach, flexibility,
critical thinking, rigor and a global perspective
•
Not unlike Duke’s Bass Connections, which study Brain & Society;
Information, Society & Culture; Global Health; Education & Human
Development; Energy
•
University credit is given for A Level scores of A or B, and Cambridge Pre-U
scores of M3 or higher
•
Competitive candidates for admission typically have A Level grades of A/A*
and Cambridge Pre-U grades of Distinction.
The Cambridge learner from Duke’s perspective
•
Cambridge learners apply from around the world, including in the US
•
The skills they acquire match the program’s goals
•
From a Maryland teacher:
“The AICE [Higher Math] program, although less well known than the AP program,
also covers calculus… is very rigorous, and challenges students with questions that
apply critical thinking skills. The need to process what information is important, what
information is needed, and what skills are needed to find this information stretch
even the most able students. Topics are constantly intermingled.”
•
Cambridge learners typically receive our top two curriculum ratings (equivalent to
710 AP courses or more).
The Cambridge learner from Duke’s perspective
•
It’s no coincidence that AP has launched the AP Capstone
•
The need for a curriculum that is rigorous, flexible and integrated has never
been higher
•
The Cambridge curriculum in its various manifestations meets these needs,
particularly with the Global Perspectives & Research sequence.
GPR Statement of Support
Students who have challenged themselves with a rigorous curriculum, developed
strong critical thinking skills, and experienced interdisciplinary learning in a global
context will be poised to make the most of their college experience. The
Cambridge Global Perspectives & Research (GPR) curriculum provides an
excellent opportunity for students to develop those skills.
The Cambridge GPR experience not only promotes rigorous curricular content,
but also equips students with the independent research, collaborative team work,
and twenty-first century knowledge and skills essential to success in college and
in today’s interconnected world. The Cambridge GPR A Level combines in-depth
subject-matter study with an interdisciplinary seminar-style curriculum based on
issues of global importance in which students engage collaboratively and
independently on presentations and research projects.
GPR Statement of Support (continued)
The aims of the Cambridge GPR A Level are:
• Engagement with a rigorous college-level curriculum
• Promotion of a critical, questioning approach to information
• Development of disciplined and scholarly research skills
applied to topics of global relevance.
Sign up at: www.cie.org.uk/gprstatementofsupport
Recognition database
www.cie.org.uk/recognitionsearch
Recognition database hits 2012–2014
Unique hits 2012 - 2014
Unique hits on Recognitions Datbase
6000
27260
5000
52449
4000
38481
3000
2012
2013
2000
2014
1000
0
Jan
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Any questions?
Learn more! Getting in touch
with Cambridge is easy
Email Val at sismey.v@cie.org.uk
Customer Services: info@cie.org.uk
www.cie.org.uk/gprstatementofsupport
www.cie.org.uk/recognitionsearch
http://college.artsandsciences.virginia.edu/iclec
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