CAMBRIDGE SECONDARY 2 & ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS
CAMBRIDGE – IGCSE (Grades 8, 9 and 10)
Globally, not other qualification matches either the popularity or rigor of the international Cambridge IGCSE. Throughout the world, CIE IGCSE is willingly accepted by a countless, and ever increasing, number of countries and universities. These qualifications were developed over a quarter of a century ago in association with Cambridge University. As the first installment of the Cambridge Secondary 2 qualification portfolio, IGCSE is now taken by almost one million students, from approximately 10,000 different schools, located in over 160 different countries.
IGCSE students are required to take eight (8) or more IGCSE subjects over a two / three - year period. This begins in either G8 or G9, as per the requirements of each subject / department. All the students at NIS take examinations in June of their G10 year at school. These are divided into five (5) compulsory subjects, and three (3) optional subjects.
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (Taken by all NIS students)
• English
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS (Can include – Depending on the level of demand)
• Arabic 1st Language
• Arabic 2nd Language
• Information Communication Technology ( Computers)
• History
• Accounting
• Business Studies
• Global Perspectives
Further details can be found in the CIE Website in the Secondary 2 / IGCSE section or in the IGCSE Brochure.
AS (Grade 11)
The second installment of the Cambridge Secondary 2 qualification portfolio is the Advanced Supplementary Level (AS Level). Almost half a million students take these qualifications annually, from approximately 130 countries around the world.
Each of these AS courses usually takes one year of study in order to complete. Students have the freedom to take multiple assessment routes by either taking Cambridge International AS Levels as qualifications in their own right, or as part of a progression to Cambridge International A Level. (AS). Most NIS students opt for the 'staged assessment route, where they take the AS level examination at the end of Grade 11, before continuing with the remaining, more complex units of work to conclude the corresponding 'A level'. This latter part of each course of study is taken in Grade 12 and is academically challenging.
NIS students are required to study a minimum of four AS level courses. Students with excellent IGCSE results may be allowed to study 5 or 6 AS level courses. However, due to the academic rigor of these courses NIS reserves the right to determine AS level course access. In order to allow the maximum subject choices in G11 some of the courses are taught between 2 – 4 pm and at even at weekends. NIS expects a high level of commitment from students when studying these highly academic courses.
SUBJECTS
• Maths (with Mechanics and Statistics)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• English Language
• ICT
Further details can be found in the CIE Website in the AS / A2 / A Level section or in the AS / A2 / A Level Brochure.
Students who take AS level examinations via the 'Staged Assessment' route must secure a high grade (A or B) in order to have a chance of getting a final grade of A or B at Advanced (A level).
A Level (G12 Only)
The third installment of the Cambridge Secondary 2 qualification portfolio is Advanced Level (A Level). Almost half a million students take these qualifications annually, from approximately 130 countries around the world. Globally, these university entrance qualifications are recognized as the 'gold standard' in academic qualifications, and are accepted at prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale and MIT.
Students who perform well at AS level and get high quality grades will be allowed to study A2 level subjects in their chosen subjects from AS level. NIS students following A2 examinations will be required to take between 2 and 4 A2 level courses. All the students at NIS take examinations in June of their G12 year at school.
Further details can be found in the CIE Website in the AS / A2 / A Level section or in the AS / A2 / A Level Brochure.
For more information about recognition of Cambridge qualifications, including a database of institutions that accept them, click here.
