CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL EXAM COORDINATORS By Emkan Education This guide is meant to provide school exam coordinators with the necessary information about the Cambridge programme and Cambridge examinations. It also provides answers on the Frequently Asked Questions related to exam cycle processes. For more information on the contents of this guide or other matters related to the examinations, go straight to our website at www.emkaneducation.com/cambridge. Alternatively, you can email us at : cambridge@emkaneducation.com
INTRODUCTION TO EMKAN EDUCATION Emkan Education is an education advisory and school development company based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with offices in Riyadh and Dubai. We provide a wide range of educational services to private and public institutions; we work with school operators, educators and investors alike supporting them with the development of schools, establishment of new schools, building capabilities of schools and providing training services. We also specialize in developing curriculum and customizing educational content. We work closely together with our partner Cambridge to deliver quality programmes, qualifications and other services for Cambridge schools. WHAT ROLE DOES EMKAN PLAY IN THE CAMBRIDGE EXAM CYCLE? Emkan aims to support all its schools in facilitating procedures relating to registration, conducting exams and processing the distribution of results and enquiries. 3 Advises and processes applications to Cambridge for students with special needs through access arrangements. If children have dyslexia, autism and/or other conditions that mean they need extra time, Emkan can process an application, with appropriate medical evidence. 4 Distributes login details to 5 Ensures that teachers have full enable students to download access to the CIE Teacher Support their results. In case students site which provides full access to want to request a remark or past papers, mark schemes, exam recheck, Emkan processes an reports, discussion forums and enquiry of results (EAR) application. syllabus related questions. EMKAN EDUCATION ACTS AS A 'ONE-STOP SHOP' FOR ALL MATTERS RELATING TO CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS 1 MORE SPECIFICALLY EMKAN: Ensures that students Offers expert advice to ensure 1 2 receive statements of entries that registrations are processed on with their exam calendar. All time and with appropriate codes to students need to do is focus on ensure students sit for the right the exams. papers. 2
INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS Cambridge International COURSES OFFERED Cambridge offers a wide range of subjects. The table below lists most popular subjects at different Levels. Examinations is owned by Cambridge University. Cambridge offers a suite of assessments from primary to secondary grades. This booklet focuses on Cambridge Secondary 2 (IGCSEs) and Cambridge Advanced ('A- & AS Levels') courses. SESSIONS HOW MANY SUBJECTS TO TAKE SUBJECTS YEAR OF ASSESSMENT AGE GROUP Cambridge provides syllabi and assessments for all school years from 1-12. Many schools offer the full set of courses and assessments. However, schools are free to select the syllabi and assessments that they wish. IGCSEs Advanced Subsidiary (AS) 2 times per year 2 times per year 7-9 2-4 Arabic 1st, Arabic Foreign English 1st, English 2nd, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies, Accounting, Economics and Business Studies Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies, Accounting, Economics and Business Studies Grade 10 Grade 11 The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is designed for 14 to 16 year olds, although students of any age can take them. In the UK students general- Advanced (A) 2 times per year 2-4 Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies, Accounting, Economics and Business Studies Grade 12 ly take 7-9 exams. Students wishing to proceed to A Levels should achieve at least 5 IGCSEs and no less than a B in the subjects they wish to take at A Level. Higher AS and A Levels are designed for 16-19 year olds but, as Education with IGCSEs, can be taken by students of any age. In the Cambridge Int UK students generally take 3 or 4 AS and A Level AS & A Levels (16-19) courses. Cambridge Secondary 2 (14-16) IGCSE and O Level Cambridge examinations are widely recognised Cambridge Secondary 1 (11-14) as evidence of learning and suitability to the labour force by academic institutions and Cambridge Primary (5-11) employers around the world. Figure 1: Factsheet at cie.org.uk CURRICULUM CONTENT IGCSEs and international 'A Levels' are international curricula but also allow teaching to be placed in a localised context, making them relevant to diverse regions around the world. They are also suitable for students whose first language may not be English. 'A Level' Science subjects also include assessment in the laboratory. All Cambridge syllabi focus on developing 21st Century skills. The choice of subjects will depend on factors such as availability at school, choice of job (e.g. for medicine, Biology is a 'must') and parent/student preference. You can check with your school to see which subjects they actually offer, as well as the fees structure. GRADING Grading is on an eight-point scale (A* G) and grades A to E are equivalent to O Level Grades A to E. In some countries, IGCSE qualifications will satisfy the entry requirements for university. In others, they are widely A Level PUM used as a preparation for A- and AS Level, International grade range Baccalaureate and US Advanced Placement courses. Letter A* A 90-100 80-89 grades for A Levels can be given equivalent numerical grades per the table opposite, taken from the Cambridge website (cie.org.uk). PUM refers to the percentage uniform mark. B 70-79 Grade C in IGCSE English (both First Language and Second C 60-69 Language) satisfies the English proficiency requirements of D E 50-59 40-49 many universities in the UK and other countries that follow the UK education system. Cambridge also holds an annual celebration of their most Figure 2: Cambridge successful students in each major city. These are high profile factsheet at cie.org.uk events and the receipt of such an award adds tremendous value to student s CVs and clearly assists in applications to university. Cambridge awards are offered to the best in each subject in their city, country and even the world. There are also awards for the 3 best across a range of IGCSEs and A levels. They look great on university applications. 4
RECOGNITION AND PROGRESSION TO UNIVERSITY THE CIE EXAMINATION CYCLE The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the world's most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year-olds. It develops successful students, giving them excellent preparation for their next steps in education, including progression to A- and AS Level study, and equips them with skills for employment later in life. Cambridge IGCSE is recognised by universities and employers worldwide. It is taken in over 100 countries worldwide and is internationally recognised as being equivalent to the GCSE in the United Kingdom. UK high stakes examinations offer an ideal route to universities across the globe owing to their wide recognition. It is no surprise that universities around the world, including US Ivy League universities (such as Yale) and more specifically the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent, accept A- and AS Level qualifications. Private universities across Saudi Arabia also offer entrance based on the UK route. For most universities (as in the UK), 3 A Levels are sufficient. Many private sector Saudi universities require 2 'B' grades at AS Level for admission to the preparatory programme or 2 'A' grades at A Level for direct admission to the medical faculty and 2 'B' grades at AS Level for admission to the Business faculty. Saudi universities also require a 12th grade report in all cases. If you would like more specific information on which institutions accept IGCSE, please use the Recognition Search (www.cie.org.uk). Parents and students do need to check whether universities they wish to apply to have their own additional requirements set by their Ministries of Education. There are two main sessions; May/June and October/November. The most popular session for taking exams in KSA is in May/June. Students can spread out their exams over both or more sessions but bear in mind that UK universities like students to take all their exams in one sitting. Statements of results are issued in August. Within a week of the official release, CIE sends Provisional Statement of Results which can be used for university admission. Final certificates are issued 2/3 months later. If any student feels that their release is not valid, they can request through an EAR process, a recheck or remark. Fees are involved here. Parents can get a copy of their child's marked exam script. 5 6
FAQS FOR SCHOOL EXAM COORDINATORS WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT TASKS THAT I NEED TO BE AWARE OF TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF EXAMS? You need to be aware of the following steps: Send forecasts of student numbers (no names) by subject to Emkan, when requested Issue registration forms to students with codes and fees, approved by Emkan Register students on CIE Direct, using password provided by Emkan Issue receipts to parents/students for all monies received and get parents to sign for all subject information and personal details of students to avoid the school being liable for errors Make sure students have Statements of Entry and they know and comply with any Cambridge regulations for entry into the exam hall such as passports HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH PARENTS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR? Exam registration can be a stressful experience for students. Deal with them in a very friendly way and ensure they are confident that the codes entered are correct Record all email addresses and mobile numbers for all parents and students who register. You may need to contact them urgently WHAT IF THE STUDENT'S NAME ON THE APPLICATION FORM FOR EXAMS IS SPELT DIFFERENTLY TO THE NAME ON FILE? Students usually like the name to be spelt as per their passport, as it helps university applications later. Always check with the student and get them to sign after entering data on CIE Direct. WHAT IF A STUDENT WANTS TO CHANGE PERSONAL DETAILS OR REGISTRATION DETAILS AFTER SUBMISSION ON CIE DIRECT? This can be done, though there may be a late penalty charge, as per the fees list provided by Emkan to the school. CAN THE SCHOOL CHARGE ITS OWN ADMINISTRATION FEE, SEPARATE FROM THE PRICE LIST SET BY EMKAN? Yes, the school can do that. WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ENTRIES AND PROCESSING OF RESULTS AT THE SCHOOL? The school exam coordinator can delegate the operations to a trusted employee such as a secretary, who is organized, has good communication skills and is IT literate. The coordinator should review all entries before submitting and have ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of submissions. 7 8
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN EXAMS ARE SCHEDULED? Exams are given Key Times for each country and these are found on the website by plugging in e.g. Saudi Arabia. Key Times specify the exact timing for morning and afternoon session e.g. 11 am and 3 pm respectively The Cambridge timetable can be found online 6 months before the start of the exam session HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ZONE WE ARE IN? WHEN RESULTS ARE RELEASED (IN AUGUST), IS IT NECESSARY FOR A SCHOOL OFFICIAL TO BE ON DUTY? Yes. When generating passwords for students to get results, the name of a school official e.g. the secretary must be entered. If there are queries after results and processing of Enquiries About Results (EAR), the nominated school official must be on duty to facilitate. WHAT ARE THE REGISTRATION DEADLINES FOR 2017/18? All schools in Saudi Arabia are in zone 3 and timetables are color-coded green. CAN PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS GET SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS? Yes, there is provision to get modified exams and offer extra time through Access Arrangements. Details are in the documents; 'How to apply for access arrangements' and 'How to apply for modified papers' Deadlines are given in the following table on pg (10) HOW CAN I CONNECT TO CAMBRIDGE DIRECTLY INSTEAD OF THROUGH OTHER AGENCIES? Cambridge is very active on social media and you can connect on their: www.twitter.com/cie_education www.facebook.com/cie.org.uk/ Estimated SESSIONS entries SUBJECTS data collected from schools Final timetable of exams posted by CIE Exam coordinators receive training from Emkan in exam entries on CIE Direct in identifying syllabus and options codes, generating reports etc. Deadline for applying for modified papers and non-delegated access arrangements Check all entries with exams officer Final entries deadline. Entries from schools and private candidates need checking before submission on CIE Direct Late entries deadline Deadline for schools to fill out forecast grades on CIE Direct Timetabled exam period TASK/EVENT Issue login details to all candidates from CIE Direct Release provisional grades - available on CIE Direct - to students. Download broadsheets and component grades sheets Receive Statements of Results Deadline for enquiries about results (EAR) Dispatch of certificates Awards ceremony. Cambridge announces award winners and a celebration is held APPR. TIME Start Oct, 2017 Late Oct, 2017 Late Dec, 2017 Mid-Jan, 2018 Mid-Feb, 2018 Late Feb, 2018 Mid-Apr, 2018 End of Apr, 2018 End of Apr to first part of Jun, 2018 Before end of timetabled exam period Start to mid-aug, 2018 Late Aug, 2018 Late Sept, 2018 Mid-Oct, 2018 Jan, 2018 9 10