AACRAO ConferenceMarch 2007Cambridge examinations: What Admissions Officers want to know

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Seminar content• Introduction to CIE• CIE examinations• Equivalency• CIE in the USA• CIE database• How can CIE help you?

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The organisation

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• Cambridge Assessment (formerly UCLES) founded 1858

• Examining internationallysince 1863

• a non-teaching Departmentof the University ofCambridge, England

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CIEDedicated to:• Working in partnership with

education providers worldwide to deliver high quality, leading-edge assessment solutions

• Educational opportunities for allProviding a coherent product portfolio which meets customerneeds

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The Cambridge Continuum• Cambridge International Primary Programme• ICT Starters• Cambridge International Lower Secondary

Programme• IGCSE & O Level• AS & A Level• AICE• Cambridge Pre-U Diploma• Suite of vocational diplomas

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IGCSE & O Level

• O Level offered for over 50 years• IGCSE since 1988• Equivalent to GCSE in UK• Wide range of subjects• IGCSE Grades A*-G• O Level Grades A-E only• Group awards (ICE & School Cert)

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O/IGCSE Grade Comparison

O LevelABCDE

IGCSEA*, ABCDEFG

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IGCSE Grading ComparisonUSA Cambridge

A+,A A*, A Excellent

A-,B+ B

B C Good

C+ D

C E Satisfactory

D+ F

D G

F U

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AS and A Level

• A Level offered for over 50 years• AS since 2001• International relevance• Flexible • Available in a wide range of subjects• Exams held in June and November• Passing grades A - E

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A/AS Grading Comparison

USA Cambridge

A+,A A Excellent

A-,B+ B

B C Good

C+ D

C E Satisfactory

F U

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The AICE Diploma

• Group award made up of AS and A Levels• Broad curriculum• Six credits• Research project option• Diploma with Distinction, Merit or Pass• Points system

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AICE DiplomaDOUBLE CREDIT STUDY (A LEVEL)

FULL CREDIT STUDY (AS LEVEL)

Grade Points Grade Points

A 120B 100C 80D 60E 40

A 60B 50C 40D 30E 20

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A statement of results is provided for each candidate.

The statement lists each of the components that the candidate was entered for and the syllabus grades that have been achieved in each case.

For Group Award candidates the statement will show the result achieved in the ICE or AICE (Diploma) Group Award.

Statement of Results

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Sample certificate IGCSE

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Sample certificate A & AS Level

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Sample certificate AICE

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CIE information available• Database of recognition searchable by country and

qualification

• US Briefing Document for Admissions Counsellors

• Recognition and Equivalency Help Pack

• Cambridge Qualifications Framework

• Recognition FAQs

• UK universities accepting IGCSE E2L

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Where to find the information?

Available on the website by going to CIE homepage, clicking on the recognition link and all thedocuments are available on that page. Click on‘Search Recognitions’ to search by country andqualification in the recognition database.

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CIE in the USA

In the beginning

1995 – a Florida public high school introduced AICE in USA

as a means to raise the bar for student achievement using

an internationally relevant curriculum and assessment

Program with the common goal of preparing students to

compete internationally (Blue Print 2000 goal)

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Development of the AICE ProgramPilot Study Comparing AICE with IB from 1997-2000 conducted by Florida DOE

Findings:• Equally rigorous academically

• Both offer well-balanced curricula, high academic standards, practical real world applications, and international perspectives

• AICE emphasizes extremely flexible curriculum that can be tailored to individual students’ interests and future plans

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CIE in the USA

Funding and state legislature

Based on pilot study results, school districts inFlorida receive the same recognition, support and state level funding for AS and A levels asAdvanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB).

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CIE in the USA

Student performance• University of Florida study – AICE program students end of freshman year

GPA was 3.46 – exceeding IB and AP students as a group.

• Washington post academic challenge index – AICE (AS/A Level) now

included along with IB and AP

• Brentsville District High School – Blue Ribbon 2004 – only high school in

Virginia to qualify since No Child Left Behind standards have been required

as part of Blue Ribbon Award.

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CIE in the USA

Location of schools

Cambridge has introduced and offered its academic continuum to schools in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Wisconsin

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CIE in the USA

Future developments

CIE is introducing its academic continuum toschools in California and New York at thepresent time.

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Developing Successful Students