Integrated Marketing Communications

Registrars and admissions officers across the U.S. will have noticed a gradual but definite increase in students bearing qualifications from CIE-University of Cambridge International Examinations. Most already recognize the Advanced Level (A Level) and Ordinary Level (O Level) qualifications; many are less familiar with IGCSE (International General Certificate of secondary Education), Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) qualifications, and the AICE Diploma (Advanced International Certificate of Education)-all obtained during high school and now listed on college applications. What is the provenance of these qualifications? And why should registrars and admissions officers feel reassured when they see CIE examination scores on an application? The Cambridge Continuum-A Challenging Curriculum CIE is part of the University of Cambridge (established in 1207), one of the world's oldest and most highly regarded educational 'brands,' revered as much today as at any point in its 8oo-year history. CIE is also a division of UCLES (the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate), an examination board which comprises CIE and sister divisions OCR (which delivers examinations to UK schools) and ESOL (one of the world's leading providers of tests for speakers of English as a second language). UCLES has been providing internationally standardized curriculum frameworks and assessments since 1863, and as a result has become a world leader in curriculum development, assessment technologies, and teacher support. CIE qualifications provide an assessment continuum for students from grades 9 to 12, comprising IGCSE, AS, and A Levels. CIE also provides: * 'Checkpoint' tests-pre-grade 9 diagnostic assessments in English, Mathematics, and Science * Cambridge International Diplomas-specialist assessments focused on workplace skills and applications in vocational subjects, including: IT, travel and tourism, business, and management * Cambridge International Diplomas for teaching professionals-the Diploma in Teaching with Information and Communication Technology; and the Diploma for Teachers and Trainers In the U.S., CIE'S most popular assessments are IGCSE and AICE, also known as the 'Cambridge Program.' IGCSE (the International General Certificate of secondary Education) follows a one or two-year course in grades 9-10 and leads to a possible ICE Diploma (International Certificate of Education), which students earn if they pass seven IGCSE examinations from the required subject groups. AS and A Levels follow a one- or two-year course in grades 11-12, and lead to a possible AICE Diploma if students pass six credits worth of AS or A Level examinations from the required subject groups. Both are available in a wide range of subjects, and course structure and content emphasize the development of higher order thinking skills, oral skills, writing skills, real world applications (often tailored to local exemplar), independent investigative skills, team work, and international understanding. IGCSE and AICE are recognized by major universities, professional bodies, and employers around the world. For a full list of all recognizing institutions, please see the A/AS Level Recognition Handbook by following the recognition links on the CIE Web site at www.cie.org.uk. ICCSE and ICE IGCSE, the equivalent in standard to GCSES, which replaced 0 Levels in the UK in 1988, is roughly equivalent to a u.s. honors high school curriculum, with courses divided into five groups: * Languages * Sciences * Mathematics * Humanities and social sciences * Creative, technical, and vocational subjects In the U.S., IGCSF, is typically examined at the end of Grade 10, after two years' study. Passing grades range from 'A' (the highest) to 'G.' A basic comparison between CIF, and U.S. grades is shown in Table 1. Five passes at grade 'c' or higher at IGCSE would indicate that a student is ready to start a freshman-level course at any U. …