Welcome Cambridge AS and A Levels in the

Welcome! Cambridge AS and A Levels in the US: What You Need to Know Annetta Stroud Assistant Director, Content and Curriculum, AACRAO Dr. Adina Chapman Recognition Manager, North America, West Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge AS and A Levels in the US: What You Need to Know Adina Chapman, Ph. D. Recognition Manager, North America, West October 29, 2019

Cambridge International Structure

Cambridge Assessment International Education A part of the University of Cambridge Ø Prepare school students for life, helping them to develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. Ø At the heart of a global learning community with more than 10, 000 schools, including the US. Ø Work in partnership with educators worldwide, including 40 national governments and education reform projects.

Cambridge International in the US

The Cambridge Pathway

Comparing Education Systems

IGCSE Foundation for College Rigor Cambridge IBDP A Levels (6 subjects + CAS & EE) Grades 11 -12 (3 -4 subjects) Grades 11 -12 AICE Diploma AS & A Levels AP/Cambridge Hybrids Grades 11 -12 IGCSE O Levels Grades 9 -10

Cambridge International AS and A Levels 4 Established and rigorous curriculum 4 In-depth learning in 55+ subjects 4 International outlook with local relevance 4 Students develop key skills needed for college and beyond AS Levels - 180 contact hours A Levels - 360 contact hours

Cambridge Advanced Assessment Structure Ø Three assessment approaches for Cambridge International AS and A Level:

Cambridge AS and A Level Subjects Math & Science Info & Comm. Tech Biology Chemistry Computer Science Computing Design & Tech Environ. Mgmt (AS) Further Math (A) Marine Science Math Physical Education Physics Psychology Languages Afrikaans Language (AS) Arabic Chinese Mandarin English Language First Lang, Spanish (AS) French German Hindi Marathi Portuguese Spanish Tamil Telegu Urdu Arts & Humanities Accounting Art & Design Business Classical Studies Design & Textiles Divinity Economics French Literature (AS) Geography Hinduism Hindi Literature (AS) History Islamic Studies Lang. & Lit in English (AS) Media Studies Music Portuguese Literature (AS) Psychology Sociology Spanish Literature (AS) Travel & Tourism Interdisciplinary Thinking Skills General Paper (AS) Research Report (A) (Global Perspectives and Research Component 4*)

Cambridge Global Perspectives

AS & A Level Exams for 2017 -18 AS Level: Top 10 Countries A Level: Top 10 Countries 1 USA 1 Pakistan 2 Mauritius 3 China 3 Malaysia 4 Mauritius 4 China 5 Malaysia 5 USA 6 India 6 Zimbabwe 7 New Zealand 7 India 8 Bangladesh 8 Brunei Darussalam 9 United Arab Emirates 9 Nepal 10 Brunei Darussalam 10 Bangladesh

Subjects Studied in the USA in 2017 -18 AS Level: Top 10 Subjects 1 General Paper 2 History 3 English Language 4 Global Perspectives & Research 5 Thinking Skills 6 Literature in English 7 Marine Science 8 Psychology 9 Environmental Management 10 Spanish Language

Curriculum Changes: What’s New? We provide advance notice of changes to syllabi at least a year before first teaching. 4 Visit the What’s New pages on our public website. 4 Download our Syllabus Changes guide for full details of updated syllabuses. 4 Sign up for e-Updates to keep up to date with the syllabuses you teach. 4 www. cambridgeinternational. org/new Syllabi developed in conjunction with higher education faculty worldwide: US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Australia, South Africa.

Cambridge International and Higher Education 4 US is the top destination for Cambridge students worldwide 4 Over 180 institutions in the US recognize IGCSE/O-Level as minimum entry requirement “The depth of knowledge displayed by the best A Level students makes them prime targets for America’s Ivy League universities. ” – Yale University

Comparability With the US System 4 What do Cambridge grades mean? A* Outstanding A Excellent B Great C Good D Fair E Satisfactory U Not passing

US Grade - Cambridge Equivalents USA AS Level A Level IGCSE A+ a A* A* A a A A B+ b B B B c C C C+ d D D C e E E D+ n/a F D n/a G F Ungraded Ø The true meaning of a letter grade is a standard achieved: students' proficiency on well-defined course objectives.

Cambridge Exam Grade Equivalencies USA AS Level AP A+ a A* 5 A a A 5 B+ b B 4 B c C 4 C+ d D 3 C e E 3 D+ n/a 1 -2 D n/a 1 -2 F Ungraded 1 -2 Ø AACRAO Edge’s UK/US grade comparisons at http: //edge. aacrao. org/ Ø College Board’s comparability studies of AP Exam scores associated with college course grades at https: //aphighered. collegeboard. org/courses-exams/scoring.

Recommended Credit for Exam Humanities & Others Sciences with Lab AS Level 3 credits 4 credits A Level 6 credits 8 credits Ø AACRAO College & University Journal Vol 80, No 2, Fall 2004 Ø WES 2014, https: //wenr. wes. org/2014/02/a-guide-to-the-gce-a-level

Cambridge International AICE Diploma Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma

Sample Statement of Results Ø Other hidden security features are also present on official Cambridge documentation Upper and lower case reporting of grades achieved Percentage Uniform Mark Watermark Serial number

Sample Certificate: Cambridge International AS and A Level Number of subjects Watermark Signature of VC of University of Cambridge Upper and Lower case reporting of grades achieved Hologram Serial number

CIE Direct Verify Students’ Results Online

CIE Direct Verify Students’ Results Online Free online services to universities Ø Email info@cambridgeinternational. org Ø Apply online www. cambridgeinternational. org/exam- administration/results/verification-of-students-results/

Recognition Database Ø http: //recognition. cambridgeinternational. org/

How to Add a University Statement of Recognition Ø Email recognitions@cambridgeinternational. org. uk Ø http: //www. cambridgeinternational. org. uk/programmes-andqualifications/recognition-and-acceptance/

Florida State University Study: Cambridge, IB and AP Student Performance Key Findings on Freshman GPA Ø Cambridge students earn on average: Ø higher GPAs than IB students. Ø equivalent GPAs to AP students. Ø Cambridge students’ freshmen year GPAs were statistically higher than IB students and equivalent to AP students. Ø All three groups earned higher freshman year GPA compared to matched students who did not earn credit through an advanced program. *controlling for race, gender and SAT score [1] Shaw, S. , & Bailey, C. (2011). Success in the US: Are Cambridge International Assessments Good Preparation for University Study? Journal of College Admission, (Fall 2011), 6– 16.

Florida State University Study: Cambridge, IB and AP Student Performance Additional Findings Ø Increase in probability of undertaking: Ø Study abroad Ø DIS (directed individual studies) Ø Research Ø Honors in major Ø Less likely to drop out of college than IB in accordance with increasing numbers of credit hours earned [2] Shaw, S. D, Warren, J. & Gill, T. (2014). Assessing the Impact of the Cambridge International Acceleration Program on US University Determinants of Success: a Multilevel Modelling Approach. College and University, 89(4): 38 -54

Qualities of a Cambridge Student

THANK YOU

Thank you for joining us for today’s webinar. We look forward to seeing you at another AACRAO event soon! Upcoming Conferences Strategic Enrollment Management Conference November 3 -6, 2019 Dallas, Texas Winter Institute for Transfer Credit of International Educational Records February 3 -7, 2019 Arlington, Virginia AACRAO Annual Meeting April 5 -8, 2019 New Orleans, Louisiana