IGCSE

Vaels International School CIE - Centre IN868

What is IGCSE Recognized qualification around the worldRecognized qualification around the world Renowned for developingRenowned for developing Vital educational skills, including recall of knowledge, oral skill, problem solving, initiative, team work and investigative skillsVital educational skills, including recall of knowledge, oral skill, problem solving, initiative, team work and investigative skills Qualification provides a foundation for Cambridge A and As levelsQualification provides a foundation for Cambridge A and As levels Cambridge advanced International Certificate of EducationCambridge advanced International Certificate of Education North American placement Programme and the International BaccalaureateNorth American placement Programme and the International Baccalaureate

Who can take Cambridge IGCSE? Cambridge IGCSE is designed to be taught as a three year course at our school. There are no formal age regulations. Children start with Cambridge studies from grade VIII level.Cambridge IGCSE is designed to be taught as a three year course at our school. There are no formal age regulations. Children start with Cambridge studies from grade VIII level.

Examination information Cambridge IGCSE courses take two years to complete and exams are taken at the end of that period.Cambridge IGCSE courses take two years to complete and exams are taken at the end of that period. Examinations are held in June and November each year with result issued in August and February respectively. Students can enter for Cambridge IGCSE through our registered centre.Examinations are held in June and November each year with result issued in August and February respectively. Students can enter for Cambridge IGCSE through our registered centre.

Now our school offers the following batches Batch I – to take up exam in November 2012/ June 2013.Batch I – to take up exam in November 2012/ June Batch II – to take up exam in November 2013/ June 2014 (Admissions on).Batch II – to take up exam in November 2013/ June 2014 (Admissions on).

Subjects offered at our school Students are encouraged to study wide range of subjects. Our school has offered Art & Design and Design & Technology the first of its kind in India as optional subjects. In order to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, the school offers the following subjects:Students are encouraged to study wide range of subjects. Our school has offered Art & Design and Design & Technology the first of its kind in India as optional subjects. In order to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, the school offers the following subjects:

Subjects offered at our school S.No Science Stream 1 English as I Language (0500) 2 French (0520)/ Hindi (0549) 3 Mathematics (0580) 4 Physics (0625)/ Accounting (0452) 5 Chemistry (0620)/ Economics 6 Biology (0610)/ Business Studies (0450) 7 Environmental Management (0680) 8 Information Technology (0417)/ Art and Design (0400)/ Design and Technology (0445)

How is Cambridge IGCSE taught? The syllabus is set by Cambridge. The courses differ for each subject, but there will be a mix of assessment methods throughout, including coursework, practical exercises, oral and listening tests, projects and written examinations.The syllabus is set by Cambridge. The courses differ for each subject, but there will be a mix of assessment methods throughout, including coursework, practical exercises, oral and listening tests, projects and written examinations.

University Admission Procedure

Introduction Foreign and international examinations that are deemed equivalent are also accepted. These include O levels, IGCSE and A levels from University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Board.Foreign and international examinations that are deemed equivalent are also accepted. These include O levels, IGCSE and A levels from University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Board.

Entry/ Admission Requirements The Association of Indian Universities (AIU), to recommend on the equivalence of foreign qualifications. AIU recognizes five (5) passes at the Ordinary Level examination (O) Level or the International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE), with grades A*, A, B or C, with a minimum of two passes at the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level examination, as begin equivalent to the Senior Certificate (10+2) Examination. The grades achieved are recorded on the certificate issued by CIE. In addition, on the Statement of Results, you can find the uniform percentage mark out of 100 for each syllabus. Grades and percentage marks are also provided by the school on a transcript.

Professional Courses Applicants to professional degrees need to be 17 years of age on 31 st December of the year of entrance examination/ admission. For entry to professional courses students must sit the Common Entrance Tests (CET) for the appropriate course. Admission to Indian Universities and Colleges is based on a merit list, usually compiled by the aggregation of the marks from the year 12 examinations and the mark from the Common Entrance Tests (CET). CETs are held at both national and state level depending on the course applied for (apart from Tamil Nadu which does not have CETs).

Engineering: To be eligible to sit for the CET students will need 5 IGCSE/ O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in A level in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with a minimum of 50%. English at AS or A level may be required.Engineering: To be eligible to sit for the CET students will need 5 IGCSE/ O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in A level in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with a minimum of 50%. English at AS or A level may be required. Medicine and Dental Science: To be eligible to sit for the CET students will need 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes A Level in Physics, Chemistry and Biology with a minimum of 50%. English at AS or A level may also be required. The Medical Council of India, following guidance from CBSE, has accepted AS English taken in year 12 as equivalent to the Indian year 12 examination.Medicine and Dental Science: To be eligible to sit for the CET students will need 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes A Level in Physics, Chemistry and Biology with a minimum of 50%. English at AS or A level may also be required. The Medical Council of India, following guidance from CBSE, has accepted AS English taken in year 12 as equivalent to the Indian year 12 examination.

Architecture:Architecture: To be eligible to sit for the CET students will need 5 IGCSE/O Levels with grade C or higher plus passes in two A levels including Mathematics with a minimum of 50%. Non-Professional Courses:Non-Professional Courses: Minimum entry requirements for liberal studies (Science, Commerce, Arts) are 5 IGCSE/ O levels with grade C or higher plus in two A levels.

Science: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/ O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two or three A Levels which must include the following plus English at AS or A Level:Science: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/ O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two or three A Levels which must include the following plus English at AS or A Level: Mathematics Group – Pass in A Level in Physics and Mathematics Biology Group – Pass in A Level in Chemistry and Biology Computer Science – Pass in A Level in Physics and Mathematics

Pharmacy: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two A Levels including Chemistry and Mathematics and AS Level in Physics or Biology.Pharmacy: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two A Levels including Chemistry and Mathematics and AS Level in Physics or Biology. Commerce: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher including Mathematics plus passes in two A Levels of which one must be in a relevant subject.Commerce: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher including Mathematics plus passes in two A Levels of which one must be in a relevant subject. Arts: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two A Levels in any subjects (with the exception of Economics which requires a pass in A level Mathematics)Arts: Minimum entry requirements are 5 IGCSE/O Levels with Grade C or higher plus passes in two A Levels in any subjects (with the exception of Economics which requires a pass in A level Mathematics)

Admission Stages and Time line Professional CoursesProfessional Courses In the case of professional courses the concerned Statutory Body controls the admission schedule and teaching programme. For example, in the case of the MBBS programme the Medical Council of India has laid down that the results of the Common Entrance Tests must be declared by 15 th June, admissions completed by 31 st July, academic session started by 1 st August, and the consequential admissions, if any, be completed by 30 th September. The admission procedure involves: i.Issue of Notice of Combined Entrance Test (CET) by different institutions/ organizations through newspaper advertisements, usually in November – December of the year preceding admission. ii.Conduct of CETs in late April – May. iii.Announcement of results and merit list soon after the CET. iv.Conduct of Counseling Sessions and admission of students in June. v.Last date for payment of fees, usually within ten days of admission. vi.Start of academic programme, July – August.

Economics Paper 1 Multiple Choice (1 hour)Paper 1 Multiple Choice (1 hour) Candidates answer forty multiple choice questions. All items are of the four response ‘simple completion’ type (30% of total marks). Paper 2 Structured questions (2 hours)Paper 2 Structured questions (2 hours) Candidates answer one compulsory questions from a choice of six (70% of total marks).

Business Studies Paper1 (1 ¾ hours)Paper1 (1 ¾ hours) Short-answer questions and structured/ data response questions. There will be no choice of questions (50% of total marks) Paper 2 (1 ¾ hours)Paper 2 (1 ¾ hours) Questions arising from a given case-study (not pre-released). There will be no choice of questions (50% of total marks)

Specification Grid Assessment Objective Paper 1 Paper 2 AO1: Knowledge and understanding 35 ± 5 25 ± 5 AO2: Application 35 ± 5 25 ± 5 AO3: Analysis 15 ± 5 25 ± 5 AO4: Evaluation 15 ± 5 25 ± 5 Total marks Weighting50%50%

Accounting Paper 1 ( ¾ hours)Paper 1 ( ¾ hours) This is a structured question paper with 8 – 12 multiple choice items and short – answer questions. There are usually between 4 and 5 questions based on topics from the whole of the syllabus. All questions are compulsory, and candidates answer on the question paper. There are 120 marks for this paper (50% of total marks). Paper 2 (1¾ hours)Paper 2 (1¾ hours) This is a structured question paper. There are usually between 4 and 5 questions based on topics from the whole of the syllabus. All questions are compulsory, and candidates answer on the question paper. There are 120 marks for this paper (50% of total marks). This is a structured question paper. There are usually between 4 and 5 questions based on topics from the whole of the syllabus. All questions are compulsory, and candidates answer on the question paper. There are 120 marks for this paper (50% of total marks).

Evaluation PaperA knowledge with understanding BAnalysisCEvaluation 1 (% of marks) 70%20%10% 2 (% of marks) 45%30%25%

English Paper 2: Reading Passages (Extended) 2 hoursPaper 2: Reading Passages (Extended) 2 hours Candidates answer three questions on two passages of 600 – 700 words each, linked by a common theme. Eligible for Grades A* - E. 50% of total marks. Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours).Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours). 50% of total marks. Component 5: Speaking and Listening (Optional)Component 5: Speaking and Listening (Optional) Approx. 10 – 12 minutes individual Task and Discussion. separately endorsed.

Hindi Paper 1 DurationWeighting Reading and Writing Section 1: Four exercises – reading, information transfer, note-making and summary writing. Section: Two exercises – reading and writing 2 hours67% Paper 2 DurationWeighting Listening Four exercises – comprehension and true/ false Approx. 35 – 45 mins 33%

Environmental Management Paper 1 (1 hour 30 mins)Paper 1 (1 hour 30 mins) Six compulsory structured short-answer questions. 60 marks: 30% of total assessment Paper 2 (1 hour 45 mins)Paper 2 (1 hour 45 mins) A number of compulsory structured questions, involving short-answer and free response, based on related source material concerning environmental issues of global impact. Candidates are expected to use case studies to illustrate issues of environmental management. 80 marks: 40% of total assessment

Paper 4 alternative to coursework (1 hour 30 mins)Paper 4 alternative to coursework (1 hour 30 mins) This paper primarily tests skills in assessment objectives B and C. Candidates are given data about an environmental problem which could provide the basis for a project. They will be required to identify issues raised by the data, and to indicate ways in which a project could be organized to identify a possible management strategy. 80 marks: 40% of total assessment

French Paper Weighting: Core Weighting: Extended 133%25% 233%25% 333%25% 4n/a25%

Extended Curriculum (Core + Supplement) Grades available: A*, A, B, C, D,E, F, G Paper 1 – Listening 45 minutes: Sections 1, 2 and 3.Paper 1 – Listening 45 minutes: Sections 1, 2 and 3. Paper 2 – Reading and Directed Writing 1½ hours:Paper 2 – Reading and Directed Writing 1½ hours: Sections 1, 2 and 3. Paper 3* - Speaking 15 minutesPaper 3* - Speaking 15 minutes Paper 4 – Continuous Writing 1¼ hoursPaper 4 – Continuous Writing 1¼ hours

ICT AO1 Practical SkillsAO1 Practical Skills Candidates should be able to demonstrate their ability to use a range of software packages in practical and work-related contexts. AO2 Knowledge and UnderstandingAO2 Knowledge and Understanding Candidates should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the structure of ICT system, the roles of these systems in organisations and their impact on society

Specification Grid Assessment Objective Weighting AO1 Practical Skills 60% AO2 Knowledge and Understanding 40%

Paper 1Paper 1 – Written paper testing sections 1 – 8 of the curriculum content and assessing the skills in Assessment objective AO2 All Questions compulsory: mostly multiple choice or short answer questions, but also some requiring longer responses 100 marks weighted at 40% of total

Paper 2 – Practical test assessing knowledge, skills and understanding of sections 9 – 16 of the curriculum contentPaper 2 – Practical test assessing knowledge, skills and understanding of sections 9 – 16 of the curriculum content 80 marks weighted at 30% of total. Paper 3 – Practical test assessing knowledge, skills and understanding of sections 9 – 16 of the curriculum contentPaper 3 – Practical test assessing knowledge, skills and understanding of sections 9 – 16 of the curriculum content 80 marks weighted at 30% of total.

Biology Paper 1Paper 1 A multiple – choice paper consisting of 40 items of the four-choice type Questions will be based on the Core curriculum and will be of a difficulty appropriate to grades C to G This paper will test skills mainly in Assessment objective A and B weighted at 30% of total available marks.

Paper 3Paper 3 Written paper consisting of 80 marks of short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Extended curriculum and will be of a difficulty appropriate to higher grades Questions will test skills mainly in Assessment objective A and B At least a quarter of the marks available will be based on Core material and the remainder on the Supplement Weighted at 50% of total available marks.

Paper 6Paper 6 Alternative to Practical Written paper designed to test familiarity with laboratory based procedures Weighted at 20% of total available marks.

Assessment objective Weighting A: Knowledge with understanding 50% (not more than 25% recall) B: Handling information and problem solving 30% C: Experimental skills and investigations 20%

Assessment objective Paper 1 (marks)Papers 2 or 3 (marks)Papers 4, 5 or 6 (marks) Whole Assessme nt (%) A: Knowledge with understanding B: Handling information and problem solving C: Experimental skills and investigation

Chemistry Paper 1 (45 minutes)Paper 1 (45 minutes) Compulsory A multiple-choice paper consisting of forty items of the four- choice type. The questions will be based on the core curriculum, will be of a difficulty appropriate to grades C to G, and will test skills mainly in Assessment Objectives A and B. This paper will be weighted at 30% of the final total available marks.

Paper 3 (1 hour 15 minutes)Paper 3 (1 hour 15 minutes) Extended theory paper consisting of 80 marks of short answer and structured questions. The questions will be of a difficulty appropriate to the higher grades and will test skills mainly in Assessment Objectives A and B. A quarter of the marks available will be based on Core material and the remainder on the Supplement. This paper will be weighted at 50% of the final available marks

Paper 6Paper 6 Alternative to practical (1 hour). This is a written paper designed to test familiarity with laboratory based procedures. The practical assessment will be weighted at 20% of the final total available marks

Assessment objective Weighting A: Knowledge with understanding 50% (not more than 25% recall) B: Handling information and problem solving 30% C: Experimental skills and investigations 20%

Assessment objective Paper 1 (marks)Papers 2 or 3 (marks)Papers 4, 5 or 6 (marks) Whole Assessme nt (%) AO1: Knowledge with understanding AO2: Handling, applying and evaluating information AO3: Experimental and investigative skills

Physics Paper 1Paper 1 A multiple – choice paper consisting of 40 items of the four-choice type This paper will test skills mainly in Assessment objective A and B Questions will be based on the Core Curriculum and will be of a difficulty appropriate to grades C to G This paper will be weighted at 30% of the final total marks available

Paper 3Paper 3 Written paper consisting of short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the extended curriculum and will be of a difficulty appropriate to the higher grades Questions will test skills mainly in Assessment objectives A and B A quarter of the marks available will be based on Core material and the remainder on the Supplement 80 marks This paper will be weighted at 50% of the final total marks available

Paper 6*Paper 6* Alternative to practical Written paper designed to test familiarity with laboratory based procedures This paper will be weighted at 20% of the final total marks available

Assessment objective Weighting A: Knowledge with understanding 50% (not more than 25% recall) B: Handling information and problem solving 30% C: Experimental skills and investigations 20%

Assessment objective Paper 1 (marks)Papers 2 or 3 (marks)Papers 4, 5 or 6 (marks) Whole Assessme nt (%) A: Knowledge with understanding B: Handling information and problem solving C: Experimental skills and investigation

Affiliated Colleges of the University of Madras The recognition statement for the University of Madras