Can external students (new science A Levels) skip the practical endorsement?

Original post by darkdevon

Hi,
Same here. :smile:

I'm here to find out more about CIE board sciences.

CIE specifications are not affected by the forthcoming A level changes. CIE's advice for private candidates is here: http://www.cie.org.uk/cambridge-for/learners-and-parents/exams-and-certificates/private-candidates/

Reply 3

Venusian

OP

6

Original post by Compost

CIE specifications are not affected by the forthcoming A level changes. CIE's advice for private candidates is here: http://www.cie.org.uk/cambridge-for/learners-and-parents/exams-and-certificates/private-candidates/

Would taking CIE Science A Levels be easier?

Thanks again

Reply 4

Original post by Venusian

Would taking CIE Science A Levels be easier?

I've never had anything to do with CIE A levels but not nearly as many centres in the UK are registered with CIE so it may be harder to find centre to accept you.

Reply 5

Venusian

OP

6

Original post by Compost

I've never had anything to do with CIE A levels but not nearly as many centres in the UK are registered with CIE so it may be harder to find centre to accept you.

Thanks for your reply.
Do CIE only offer international A Levels, or do they offer A Levels with a syllabus similar to the old structure?

Thanks again :smile:

Reply 6

Original post by Venusian

Thanks for your reply.
Do CIE only offer international A Levels, or do they offer A Levels with a syllabus similar to the old structure?

Thanks again :smile:

International A levels. CIE stands for Cambridge International Examinations; they are the International branch of Cambridge Assessment (and OCR are the domestic branch). They tailor their qualifications to the international demand and are not bound by government rules on A levels (hence they are not changing their A levels when everyone else is changing).

Reply 7

jkb1955

2

The situation is a bit unclear - the exam boards I have spoken to to say
- either " we haven't thought about private candidates" - which is hardly helpful!

-or - one has said, yes, you could BUT - the exam centre has to say that they have given you "opportunity to complete all the practicals" ( which actually won't be true) and then say " that you have failed to show competency" which is why they haven't given you the completed endorsement - which hardly looks good for a uni application.

So the only sensible route is -- to do the practicals via a private centre (may be pricey) or a local school/college if there is one. CIE sciences have AS practicals, (although not at A2) so that may not be much help.

Reply 8

Original post by Compost

International A levels. CIE stands for Cambridge International Examinations; they are the International branch of Cambridge Assessment (and OCR are the domestic branch). They tailor their qualifications to the international demand and are not bound by government rules on A levels (hence they are not changing their A levels when everyone else is changing).

Can anyone take the CIE exams? I was born and raised in England though :/ I just don't want to do any practicals from the old specification.

Reply 9

Original post by Cherry82

Can anyone take the CIE exams? I was born and raised in England though :/ I just don't want to do any practicals from the old specification.

Anyone can take them, the difficulty may be finding somewhere in the Uk to take them.

Reply 10

Original post by Compost

Anyone can take them, the difficulty may be finding somewhere in the Uk to take them.

Really? I'm so confused. So how come most places I have asked in the past said it is only available to international students? Mind me asking, what's the difference between the normal A levels and the CIE A levels. I've seen threads of people explaining that the CIE A level exams are harder but I'm sure it's more than that. Would you mind explaining this to me lol

Reply 11

Original post by Cherry82

Really? I'm so confused. So how come most places I have asked in the past said it is only available to international students? Mind me asking, what's the difference between the normal A levels and the CIE A levels. I've seen threads of people explaining that the CIE A level exams are harder but I'm sure it's more than that. Would you mind explaining this to me lol

Tens of thousands of English students took CIE IGCSE English Language last summer. For A level, I've only ever entered people for subjects you can't do as a domestic A level (e.g. Afrikaans) but they worked fine from England. That's about all I know that might be helpful.

Reply 12

Original post by Compost

Tens of thousands of English students took CIE IGCSE English Language last summer. For A level, I've only ever entered people for subjects you can't do as a domestic A level (e.g. Afrikaans) but they worked fine from England. That's about all I know that might be helpful.

Oh ok. I heard that exams began in November for CIE exams like in Physics. If so I don't think I can even prepare in a month for the set of exams.

Reply 13

Original post by Cherry82

Oh ok. I heard that exams began in November for CIE exams like in Physics. If so I don't think I can even prepare in a month for the set of exams.

CIE has exams twice a year: Oct/Nov (for which the entry deadline was 21 September) and the Summer (entry deadline 21 February).

Reply 14

Original post by Compost

CIE has exams twice a year: Oct/Nov (for which the entry deadline was 21 September) and the Summer (entry deadline 21 February).

I see. So they will have exams again in May/June? It would have been great to do my AS exams in Oct/November but oh well. I think I will call OCR and speak to them about this to see if it's definitely possible.

Reply 15