IGCSE and AS/A Levels

The University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

ACG International School offers the internationally respected University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). The CIE system was established over one hundred years ago and as it has evolved it has gained international respect around the world. It is currently used in over 170 countries.

There are two examination sessions each year, in May/June and in October/November.

Qualifications can be taken at three levels:

• International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) – Year 11 (detail)
• Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) – Year 12
• Advanced Level (A Level) – Year 13

Together they constitute a fully integrated set of secondary qualifications. Ranges of assessment methods are used with the emphasis strongly on many subjects, either as a compulsory element or as an option. Coursework marks and samples of student work are submitted to Cambridge for external moderation and to ensure accuracy and comparability of assessment.

IGCSE provides a strong foundation for higher level, pre-university courses of study. AS courses are essentially the first halves or core components of a full A Level course. The second, more advanced component is A2. They allow staged assessment in the A Level programme, that is, the opportunity to build up a full A Level in a subject. At the same time they constitute a worthwhile, stand-alone qualification for those who choose not to take a full A Level.

Entry to university study overseas:

Universities around the world recognise AS and A Level as university entry qualifications. International students are able to use CIE qualifications to gain entry to many universities throughout the world.

Students should ascertain for themselves the individual requirements of overseas universities. Generally many countries require students to achieve A level passes in two or three subjects. Students achieving good passes at A level can expect to gain advanced placement at many universities.