Cambridge International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of international education programs and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds. Cambridge is a not-for-profit organization and part of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s top universities and trusted for excellence in education.
Cambridge understands education. More than 10,000 schools in over 160 countries are part of the Cambridge learning community. Cambridge’s mission is to provide excellence in education, and its vision is that Cambridge learners become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged.
Understanding learners’ needs around the world means listening carefully to the Cambridge community of schools, and Cambridge is pleased that 98% of Cambridge schools would recommend Cambridge programs to others.
Cambridge works closely with schools in Malaysia to help them deliver the best possible education to students. Within the community of Cambridge schools are international schools, a number of private colleges and MARA Junior Science Colleges, 15 of which are implementing a dual certification program using Cambridge qualifications.
Cambridge also works closely with more than 30 ministries of education around the world, developing curriculum and assessment programs to meet their specific needs in improving their education systems.
The Cambridge approach is flexible, so schools can offer Cambridge at every stage of education or focus on specific stages. This means schools are free to build a unique curriculum that reflects their values. Cambridge programs and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds include:
CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY
Cambridge Primary is an established and successful international program, typically for learners aged 5 to 11 years. It is taken in 80 countries worldwide, and taught in over 650 schools. The program combines a world-class curriculum with high quality support for teachers and integrated assessment. It develops skills and understanding in English as a First and Second Language, mathematics and science.
At the end of Cambridge Primary, learners can take Cambridge Primary Checkpoint, which gives feedback on learners’ strengths and weaknesses in the key curriculum areas of English, mathematics and science.
CAMBRIDGE SECONDARY 1
Cambridge Secondary 1 is typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years. It starts learners on an educational journey for their first few years of secondary education, developing skills and understanding in English as a First and Second Language, mathematics and science. It gives learners a solid foundation for later stages of education and includes integrated assessments and the optional Cambridge Checkpoint tests, which are taken at the end of Cambridge Secondary 1.
At the end of Cambridge Secondary 1, learners can take Cambridge Checkpoint tests. These tests are marked by Cambridge and provide comprehensive feedback on learner performance. Both Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Cambridge Checkpoint give learners experience of taking international exams at a young age, building their confidence for the future.
CAMBRIDGE ICT STARTERS
Cambridge ICT Starters is designed to introduce learners, within Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary 1, to the key ICT applications they need to acquire that literacy and to understand the impact of technology on our daily lives. Students develop key ICT skills in a range of applications to develop practical skills and learn to consider wider issues such as adapting their work for the audience and internet safety.
CAMBRIDGE O LEVEL
Cambridge International Examinations is the biggest provider of O Levels in the world. Cambridge O Level is taken in 80 countries and recognized as a reliable record of attainment by universities and employers worldwide, equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and the UK GCSE. We have designed Cambridge O Levels especially for an international audience. They are sensitive to the needs of different countries and for learners whose first language may not be English.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. Cambridge International Examinations was the first exam board to develop IGCSE, over 25 years ago, and it now attracts entries from 140 countries. Cambridge IGCSE develops skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving and is recognized and valued by universities and employers worldwide. In June 2010, IGCSE was made available to UK state schools in England. Since then, the popularity of Cambridge IGCSE has been growing fast in the UK.
In Malaysia, more and more schools are adopting Cambridge IGCSE as a trusted international program and measurement of attainment for its 14-16 year olds. In 2013, Malaysian entries for Cambridge IGCSE increased by 39% on the previous year.
CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS AND A LEVEL
Cambridge International AS and A Level is typically for learners aged 16 to 19 years who need advanced study to prepare for university and higher education. It develops a deep understanding of subjects, as well as independent learning and constructive thinking skills – abilities which universities value highly. It is available in 55 subjects and taken in over 125 countries.
Cambridge International AS and A Level is taken by thousands of learners every year who gain places at leading universities worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. It is accepted by over 450 US universities and many more on application, all UK universities, and many other universities across Europe and around the world. In places such as the US and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one full year of university course credit.
The US Higher Education Advisory Council, which includes senior admissions staff from US universities, gives Cambridge expert advice on admissions policies and the skills and knowledge students need to develop to be successful at university. It also works with Cambridge to help raise the profile Cambridge programs and qualifications across US. The council’s current members include the universities of Columbia, Duke, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, MIT, Penn State, Texas, USC, Virginia, Washington and Yale.
Cambridge International AS and A Level is growing in popularity in Malaysia as more schools value this qualification which prepares students well for success at university and beyond. Malaysian schools made over 20,000 entries for Cambridge International AS and A Level in 2013.
OPENING DOORS TO UNIVERSITIES WORLDWIDE
Cambridge works closely with universities worldwide to make sure they understand Cambridge programs and qualifications. The Cambridge recognitions team, including the Recognitions Manager for Asia Pacific, also works with key influencers such as ministries of education and bodies that regulate universities to extend recognition across the higher education sector.
CAMBRIDGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS
Being part of the Cambridge community opens up a wide range of professional development opportunities for teachers. Cambridge’s mission is to help raise standards of international education and so the support the program offers goes beyond what you might expect from an exam board. Cambridge offers qualifications for teachers and trainers based on international best practice in teaching and training. Many Cambridge schools run Cambridge qualifications in house to develop standards of teaching, motivate their staff and encourage new ideas.
Cambridge is now in the final stages of developing new teacher Cambridge Professional Development qualifications, and draft syllabuses for these are now available. For examination 2015 onwards, Cambridge will be offering Professional Development qualifications at Certificate and Diploma level in the following areas of focus:
· Teaching and Learning
· Teaching Bilingual Learners
· Teaching with Digital Technologies
· Educational Leadership
For more information, visit www.cie.org.uk
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