Edexcel International Advanced Levels (Edexcel IAL)Jan 2015 A guide for PARENTS and STUDENTS SUCCESS TOMORROW STARTS TODAY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS FROM THE UK http://www.britishcouncil.org/kuwait.htm
Frequently Asked Questions for Edexcel International Advanced Levels 1. What are Edexcel International Advanced Levels? Edexcel International Advanced Levels is a new suite of A level qualifications developed for international centres. With a modular structure, the new suite of International Advanced Levels have examination windows in January and June of each year, allowing students to finish their course in January if they need to. Please note Law will continue to be examined in June of each year only. 2. What are the differences between GCE A levels and International Advanced Levels? Structure Edexcel GCE A levels Modular structure until 2015 (moving to a linear structure in 2015. All exams will be taken at the end of the two-year A level course). International Advanced Levels Modular structure AS can be used as a stage on the way to completing an Advanced Level. Assessment Advanced Subsidiary will become a standalone qualification from 2015. Mix of coursework and examinations. June examinations only. No coursework (100% examination). January and June examinations. Yes. (See question 5 below) Recognised by Yes. universities Regulator Regulated by Ofqual. Regulated by Pearson. 3. Which subjects will have an International Advanced Level qualification available? Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies, Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (Law June session). 4. Will there be new specifications for each of these subjects? Business Studies, Mathematics and Economics New International AS/Advanced Level specifications will be available for Mathematics, Economics and Business Studies. Final specifications will be available to download from the http://www.edexcel.com/quals/ial/pages/default.aspx in August, ahead of first teaching in September 2013. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Law and Accounting The existing Edexcel GCE Science specifications (with 100% written examination instead of coursework), Law and Accounting are being moved into our new suite of Edexcel International Advanced Levels. There is no change to the content or assessment of these specifications, only the name of the qualification will change. The specifications are exactly the same. Edexcel will be updating the covers of the specifications to reflect the change of qualification title after summer 2013. They will now be called Edexcel International AS/Advanced Level in Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Law/Accounting.
5. Are the International Advanced Level Qualifications recognised by universities? The qualifications have been written to the same rigorous standard as all Edexcel qualifications and Edexcel International Advanced level qualifications are already recognised by many leading universities in the UK and internationally. Keep track of the latest universities accepting IALs by clicking on the advert International Advanced Levels: Find out where they can take you! which can be found on the https://degreecoursefinder.edexcel.com/ website. 6. Will the students be disadvantaged in any way by taking Edexcel International Advanced Level qualifications if they are not regulated by Ofqual? As mentioned in question 5, Edexcel International Advanced Level qualifications have been written to the same high standards as our Edexcel GCEs and are being recognised as providing progression to higher education by universities around the world. 7. How many re-sit opportunities will students have with the International Advanced Level qualifications? Students can re-sit each unit once before certification. 8. Will AS be available for International Advanced Level and will it count towards an Advanced Level? Yes. The new International Advanced Level will have an AS/A2 split, therefore AS can either be taken as a stand alone qualification or used as a stage on the way to completing an Advanced Level. 9. Can students in the UK take International Advanced level qualifications? No. IAL qualifications are only available to students and centres outside the UK 10. What are the International Advanced Level Eligibility Rules? Please refer to the below scenarios before making your entries to ensure that candidates are eligible when submitting for a cash-in award claim: Scenario 1. Learners with banked GCE units achieved up to and including the June 2013 examination who wish to cash-in in January 2014, June 2014, January 2015 or June 2015 For an IAL award: Candidates may use any of their eligible banked GCE unit awards (achieved up to and including those from June 2013), in combination with relevant IAL unit awards, towards a prescribed IAL cash-in to obtain an IAL qualification. This rule will apply up to and including the June 2015 examination series, but not beyond. The candidate s GCE Unique Candidate Identifier (UCI) should be used when making IAL unit and cash-in entries. The relevant IAL units and cash-ins are as indicated in the unit, option, cash-in s and availability section of application form. The rules of combination are as follows: Where a subject has only an IAL shown e.g. Biology those s will apply to all candidates, be they completing their awards using GCE banked units, or new candidates with no banked GCE units. Where a subject has both IAL transitional* and IAL s available e.g. Business Studies they should use the relevant IAL transitional s. Where a candidate tries to combine GCE awards with IAL s, rather than the IAL transitional s their award will be ineligible.
The awards for these candidates will be calculated as per GCE awards i.e. relevant UMS marks for each unit award will be combined to give a total mark equating to a final grade on the UMS scale for the subject. Subject specific breakdown: Accounting units Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) Corresponding IAL unit 6001 WAC01 6001 can be used instead of WAC01 towards XAC01/YAC01 award 6002 WAC02 6002 can be used instead of WAC02 towards YAC01 award Biology units Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) 6BI01 6BI02 Corresponding IAL unit WBI01 WBI02 6BI01 can be used instead of WBI01 towards XBI01/YBI01 award 6BI02 can be used instead of WBI02 towards XBI01/YBI01 award 6BI03, 6BI07 WBI03 6BI03 or 6BI07 can be used instead of WBI03 towards XBI01/YBI01 award 6BI04 WBI04 6BI04 can be used instead of WBI04 towards YBI01 award 6BI05 WBI05 6BI05 can be used instead of WBI05 towards YBI01 award 6BI06, 6BI08 WBI06 6BI06 or 6BI08 can be used instead of WBI06 towards YBI01 award Mathematics units: Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) 6663 (C1) 6663A 6664 (C2) 6664A 6665 (C3) 6665A 6666 (C4) 6666A Transition unit (achieved in January 6667 6667A WFM01 6668, 6669, 6677, 6678, 6679, 6683, 6684, 6691, 6689 NOT AVAILABLE Corresponding IAL unit WMA01 (C12) (COMBINED C1 & C2) WMA02 (C34) (COMBINED C3 & C4) WFM02, WFM03, WME01, WME02, WME03, WST01, WST02, WST03, WDM01 6663 or 6663a and 6664 or 6664a together can be used instead of WMA01 towards XMA01/YMA01 award 6665 or 6665a and 6666 or 6666a together can be used instead of WMA02 towards XMA01/YMA01 award 6667 or 6667A can be used instead of WFM01 towards XMA01/YMA01 award These Gce units can be used individually towards XMA01/YMA01 Business Studies:
Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) Transition unit (achieved in January 2014) 6BS01 6BSA1 WBS01 Corresponding IAL unit 6BS01 or 6BSA1 can be used instead of WBS01 towards XBS01/YBS01 award 6BS02 6BSA2 WBS02 6BS02 or 6BSA2 can be used instead of WBS02 towards XBS01/YBS01 award 6BS03 6BSA3 WBS04 (GCE unit 3) 6BS03 or 6BSA3 can be used instead of WBS04 towards YBS01 award 6BS04 6BSA4 WBS03 (GCE unit 4) 6BS04 or 6BSA4 can be used instead of WBS03 towards YBS01 award Economics units: Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) Transition unit (achieved in January 2014) 6EC01 6ECA1 WEC01 6EC02 6ECA2 WEC02 6EC03 6ECA3 WEC03 6EC04 NOT AVAILABLE WEC04 Corresponding IAL unit 6EC01 or 6ECA1 can be used instead of WEC01 towards XEC01/YEC01 award 6EC02 or 6ECA2 can be used instead of WEC02 towards XEC01/YEC01 award 6EC03 or 6ECA3 can be used instead of WEC03 towards YEC01 award 6EC04 can be used instead of WEC04 towards YBS01 award Chemistry units Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) Corresponding IAL unit 6CH01 6CH02 6CH03, 6CH07 WCH01 WCH02 WCH03 6CH01 can be used instead of WCH01 towards XCH01/YCH01 award 6CH02 can be used instead of WCH02 towards XCH01/YCH01 award 6CH03 or 6CH07 can be used instead of WCH03 towards XCH01/YCH01 award 6CH04 WCH04 6CH04 can be used instead of WCH04 towards YCH01 award 6CH05 WCH05 6CH05 can be used instead of WCH05 towards YCH01 award 6CH06, 6CH08 WCH06 6CH06 or 6CH08 can be used instead of WCH06 towards YCH01 award
Physics units Banked GCE unit s (achieved up to and including June 2013) Corresponding IAL unit 6PH01 WPH01 6PH01 can be used instead of WPH01 towards XPH01/YPH01 award 6PH02 WPH02 6PH02 can be used instead of WPH02 towards XPH01/YPH01 award 6PH03, 6PH07 WPH03 6PH03 or 6PH07 can be used instead of WPH03 towards XPH01/YPH01 award 6PH04 WPH04 6PH04 can be used instead of WPH04 towards YPH01 award 6PH05 WPH05 6PH05 can be used instead of WPH05 towards YPH01 award 6PH06, 6PH08 WPH06 6PH06 or 6PH08 can be used instead of WPH06 towards YPH01 award Scenario 2. Learners with banked GCE units, and IAL transitional units from January 2014, who wish to cash-in in June 2014, January 2015 or June 2015 For an IAL award: Candidates will not be able to gain an IAL award in June 2014, January 2015 or June 2015 on the basis of banked GCE units and IAL transitional unit awards achieved in the January 2014 series. Any IAL award in June 2014, January 2015 or June 2015 using banked GCE units must be achieved via the rules detailed in option 1. above. For a GCE award: Candidates can re-sit GCE units in June 2014, and continue to use their banked GCE units from 2013 towards a final GCE award. However, students are not allowed to use any IAL or IAL transition units to gain a GCE award. Scenario 3. Learners with no banked GCE units who wish to achieve an IAL award in January 2014 For an IAL award: Candidates will need to take and receive an award for relevant IAL units, to cash-in for a prescribed IAL award to obtain an IAL qualification. The relevant IAL units and cash-ins are as indicated in the unit, option, cash-in s in the application form. The rules of combination are as follows: Where a subject has only IAL s shown for series 1401 e.g. Biology those s will apply to all candidates. Where a subject has both IAL transitional and IAL s shown e.g. Business Studies they should use the relevant IAL s for both the units and cash-in. The awards for these candidates will be calculated as per current GCE awards i.e. relevant UMS marks for each unit award will be combined to give a total mark equating to a final grade on the UMS scale for the subject.
Scenario 4. Learners with no banked GCE units who wish to achieve an IAL award after January 2014 For an IAL award: Candidates will need to take and receive an award for relevant IAL units, to cash-in for a prescribed IAL award to obtain an IAL qualification.the relevant IAL units and cash-ins are as indicated in the unit, option, cash-in s in the application form. Any IAL transitional awards achieved in January 2014 cannot be used to contribute towards an IAL award in June 2014 or beyond. The awards for these candidates will be calculated as per current GCE awards i.e. relevant UMS marks for each unit award will be combined to give a total mark equating to a final grade on the UMS scale for the subject. * IAL transitional s These s are valid for January 2014 examination series only. They must be used for candidates who MUST complete their A level course in January 2014. The examination papers with these s are based on current GCE specifications. 11. What arrangements are there for special needs candidates? We make every effort to cater for candidates with special needs. If you require special arrangements to be made (for example extra time, enlarged print papers etc.) you must make this request when you register for your exam. All special consideration request are subject to Edexcel board approval. 12. What if a candidate suddenly falls sick? We have trained first aiders at all our exams venue to attend to such cases. If the candidate recovers within 15 minutes, we allow the candidate to continue the exam. However, additional time will only be permitted at the discretion of the Exams Officer/Supervisor. 13. What items are permitted into the exam hall? Candidates must bring black/blue pen, pencil, eraser, non-programmable calculator, geometrical instruments and any other permitted materials required for the exam along with the Statement of Entry (SOE) and a valid National ID/passport. 14. What happens if a candidate forgets to bring passport or SOE? All candidates must present SOE and either a valid Civil ID or Passport in original submitted at the time of registration at the exam for all exams. It is the responsibility of the candidate to make sure one of these forms of ID is available. British Council reserves the right not to allow entry into the exam if this requirement is not met. 15. What is the reporting time for the exam and what if a candidate reports late to the venue? The reporting time is the time at which the candidate should report at the exam venue and is mentioned in the venue letter. British Council reserves the right not to allow entry into the exam room if this requirement is not met. Please note that the examination hall door will be closed 10 minutes before the start time of the exam and candidates arriving later than this time will be given instructions outside the examination hall and will be let inside only after the examination starts. 16. How do we contact candidates? We use several methods to communicate with our registered candidates. We may contact you through emails, SMS for quick updates, our website and face book page. 17. What facilities are there for parents? Our primary concern is the security and comfort of the students. Wherever possible we try to cater to the needs of any accompanying parent/guardian. These facilities may vary from venue to venue. Please note that there may not be a waiting area for parents/guardians at some venues. 18. Procedures for feedback or complaints If you want to give feedback or make a complaint regarding our services/examination, you must do this immediately after the exam with the exams officer/supervisor at the venue or write to us at info@kw.britishcouncil.org
19. Important points to note about your examinations Bring your original Statement of entry and valid original ID/passport to every exam. Upon receipt of Statement of entry, please check very carefully and make sure that all your personal details and subjects that you have registered are correct. If you find any incorrect information please email info@kw.britishcouncil.org immediately. Unreported errors could result in receiving incorrect or incomplete results or incur late penalty fees. Be on time for all your exams and remember late arriving candidates may not be allowed to enter the examination hall. Please be aware of the reporting time and exams start time. Involvement in any type of misbehaviour or malpractice at the exam venue may lead to disqualification. Only take exam materials and equipment that are permitted in the examination room. Do not talk to or disturb other candidates during exam. If you leave exam room unattended by an invigilator, you will not be allowed to return to examination room. EXAMINATIONS TIMINGS: Morning Session REPORTING TIME: 08:15 AM Afternoon Session REPORTING TIME: 11:15 AM All the best for your examination.