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Article index
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Module choices for AS…
In the AS Level Cambridge curriculum, Mathematics is unusual in the degree of choice offered to the student. This allows students to select modules according to their preferences, and to begin aligning their curriculum choices with their planned future careers. The good news is that there really is no bad choice for AS Level Maths, but it is nevertheless worthwhile thinking carefully about the modules that you will choose.
Module choices for AS and A Level Mathematics (code 9709)
In the AS Level Cambridge curriculum, Mathematics is unusual in the degree of choice offered to the student. This allows students to select modules according to their preferences, and to begin aligning their curriculum choices with their planned future careers. The good news is that there really is no bad choice for AS Level Maths, but it is nevertheless worthwhile thinking carefully about the modules that you will choose.
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The two-sitting rule
The two-sitting rule: one of the most hotly-debated topics among homeschoolers!
The two-sitting rule applies to students who wish to use AS-Level subjects to obtain their university exemption for studying at South African universities. In this article I explore the two-sitting rule and its implications for planning a course of study using the British International IG and AS-Level courses. (British International qualifications are offered in South Africa by Cambridge International Education and Pearson Edexcel.)
The two-sitting rule
The two-sitting rule: one of the most hotly-debated topics among homeschoolers!
The two-sitting rule applies to students who wish to use AS-Level subjects to obtain their university exemption for studying at South African universities. In this article I explore the two-sitting rule and its implications for planning a course of study using the British International IG and AS-Level courses. (British International qualifications are offered in South Africa by Cambridge International Education and Pearson Edexcel.)
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USAf subject groups
Not all subjects are alike!
To obtain a USAf exemption certificate to study at a South African university, a student must present subjects classified by USAf into different groups. Unfortunately, not all the subjects offered by the British International examination boards meet the requirements for grouping, so not all subjects are recognized by USAf for exemption purposes. It is important to understand what subjects are recognized by USAf before commencing on the course of study. What are these groups, what subjects fall into the different groups and from which groups must a student choose?, are the topics of this article.
USAf subject groups
Not all subjects are alike!
To obtain a USAf exemption certificate to study at a South African university, a student must present subjects classified by USAf into different groups. Unfortunately, not all the subjects offered by the British International examination boards meet the requirements for grouping, so not all subjects are recognized by USAf for exemption purposes. It is important to understand what subjects are recognized by USAf before commencing on the course of study. What are these groups, what subjects fall into the different groups and from which groups must a student choose?, are the topics of this article.
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Planning for success in…
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of one’s AS-Level results. For most students, the AS-Level exams provide the final school-leaving certificate which is used to gain entry into university, other tertiary study options, or perhaps to apply for a job. If one’s results are poor, one may miss life-changing opportunities such as the opportunity to study medicine or engineering, or even the opportunity to enter university at all.
Planning for success in your AS-Level exams
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of one’s AS-Level results. For most students, the AS-Level exams provide the final school-leaving certificate which is used to gain entry into university, other tertiary study options, or perhaps to apply for a job. If one’s results are poor, one may miss life-changing opportunities such as the opportunity to study medicine or engineering, or even the opportunity to enter university at all.
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An introduction to IG
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IG) from Cambridge International Education or Pearson Edexcel is a highly respected qualification throughout the world, and forms an important foundation for further studies at AS/A-Level. In South Africa, IG is recognized as equivalent to the South African Grade 11 and the IG marks can therefore be submitted along with the university application as Grade 11 marks.
What is the IG qualification? Why should a student write the IG exams? When should a student write the IG exams? What IG subjects should a student write? These are some of the questions I will answer in this article.
An introduction to IG
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IG) from Cambridge International Education or Pearson Edexcel is a highly respected qualification throughout the world, and forms an important foundation for further studies at AS/A-Level. In South Africa, IG is recognized as equivalent to the South African Grade 11 and the IG marks can therefore be submitted along with the university application as Grade 11 marks.
What is the IG qualification? Why should a student write the IG exams? When should a student write the IG exams? What IG subjects should a student write? These are some of the questions I will answer in this article.
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Working with the subject…
Just like with your appliances there is a handbook explaining how the appliance works and what you should do or shouldn't do with the appliance, so the British International examination boards issue subject syllabi which gives incredibly useful information to guide the student, tutor and parent through the process of preparing for the exams.
In this article, I discuss the information that can be gleaned from the Cambridge International Education subject syllabus.
Working with the subject syllabus documentation
Just like with your appliances there is a handbook explaining how the appliance works and what you should do or shouldn't do with the appliance, so the British International examination boards issue subject syllabi which gives incredibly useful information to guide the student, tutor and parent through the process of preparing for the exams.
In this article, I discuss the information that can be gleaned from the Cambridge International Education subject syllabus.
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Cambridge International Education IG…
Introduction
When selecting Cambridge International IG subjects, there is a lot of information that one needs to know about each subject: What is its code? When is it written? Is it available to private candidates? Is it available at core and extended levels? This article explains these issues and summarizes the information for various IG-Level subject offered by Cambridge International Education in a convenient table.
Cambridge International Education IG subjects and codes
Introduction
When selecting Cambridge International IG subjects, there is a lot of information that one needs to know about each subject: What is its code? When is it written? Is it available to private candidates? Is it available at core and extended levels? This article explains these issues and summarizes the information for various IG-Level subject offered by Cambridge International Education in a convenient table.
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Prior knowledge needed for…
The Cambridge International IG biology course (Code 0610) is a comprehensive course that covers many interesting and exciting topics. It is designed to be a practical and relevant study pertaining to the student's own environment and circumstances, so keep South Africa's beautiful and diverse habitats in mind when you work through the course.
A student will appreciate the study much more if they have a good foundation in the study of biology built up over the earlier school years. Cambridge International recommends that students have met the requirements of the key stage 3 of the national curriculum for England or a local equivalent. Using the English key stages as a basis and my own experience in teaching the IG biology syllabus to my own children and others, I have compiled the following list as a suggestion for what students should already know before starting the IG biology of the course. Some of the material can be introduced as early as Grade R, but the material needs to be developed to at least a Grade 10 level before starting on IG.
The list is by no means exhaustive but aims to give a general idea of the subject matter that should have been dealt with before starting on IG biology. This may help some of you to know what to look for when evaluating biology textbooks and curricula for the earlier grades.
Prior knowledge needed for IG Biology
The Cambridge International IG biology course (Code 0610) is a comprehensive course that covers many interesting and exciting topics. It is designed to be a practical and relevant study pertaining to the student's own environment and circumstances, so keep South Africa's beautiful and diverse habitats in mind when you work through the course.
A student will appreciate the study much more if they have a good foundation in the study of biology built up over the earlier school years. Cambridge International recommends that students have met the requirements of the key stage 3 of the national curriculum for England or a local equivalent. Using the English key stages as a basis and my own experience in teaching the IG biology syllabus to my own children and others, I have compiled the following list as a suggestion for what students should already know before starting the IG biology of the course. Some of the material can be introduced as early as Grade R, but the material needs to be developed to at least a Grade 10 level before starting on IG.
The list is by no means exhaustive but aims to give a general idea of the subject matter that should have been dealt with before starting on IG biology. This may help some of you to know what to look for when evaluating biology textbooks and curricula for the earlier grades.
