Professional Documents
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Printable Final PSN Booklet
Printable Final PSN Booklet
Printable Final PSN Booklet
Schools Network
A GUIDE TO SCHOOL
EXAMINATIONS FOR
PARENTS AND STUDENTS
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Edexcel Interantional A level subjects currently on offer. However, if you English, Mathematics and Science and sets lifelong learning, with a structured
are considering taking up any specialist clear learning objectives for each year of curriculum that provides excellent
Edexcel International Advanced Level is subject, which may require special facilities primary education, providing a natural preparation for eventual further
an international alternative to Edexcel or accredited examiners, please contact us progression path. Cambridge Primary study at International GCSE and
Ofqual-regulated A-Level qualifications. well in advance to find out whether you are includes optional assessments to help GCE A level or equivalent
This new suite of qualifications, regulated able to sit for that examination in Pakistan teachers monitor your child’s learning and Provides an international
by Pearson, has been written to the highest identify areas of strengths and weakness. benchmark of achievement, with
standard, with the global learner in mind. Introduction to primary and lower Learners can take Cambridge Primary externally marked achievement
They are: secondary programmes Checkpoint tests in Maths, Science and tests and certification at the end of
English at the end of the final year of Year 6 to ease the transition to
Flexible Cambridge International Examinations and Cambridge Primary. These tests are marked secondary education is easy to
Modular structure Edexcel International offer primary and lower by Cambridge and provide an international implement and administer, with free
January and June examinations to secondary programmes, which support benchmark of achievement. Each learner training and a fully flexible structure
support students wishing to pre-GCSE/IGCSE. These programmes are receives a statement of achievement and that allows you to teach it alongside
progress to local and international designed specifically for international a detailed feedback report that gives other curriculum
universities. schools for students and are available in invaluable information to schools and Is engaging and up to date, with
AS qualifications can be taken as English, Mathematics and Sciences. The test parents. ideas for lessons and a framework
stand-alone qualifications or used papers are marked by the awarding bodies that allows you to embed
as a stage on the way to completing and provide an external international The curriculum is international and flexible. knowledge creatively
an Advanced Level. benchmark for your child’s performance. Cambridge provides comprehensive support Allows you to track pupils’ progress
AS represents 50% of an Advanced to schools including a secure Cambridge and identify barriers to learning
Level These programmes cover all major areas of Primary website where teachers can through a variety of age-specific
100% external assessment with no learning required in the early years of an download teaching materials, assessment progress and achievement tests
coursework. international secondary education. Learners and analysis tools. Offers unrivalled and unique
Specifications can be delivered in receive a statement of achievement, which delivery support with detailed
an international context to fully gives an indication of their academic International Primary Curriculum suggestions of published
equip the international learner. progress during this education stage and resources embedded within each
Available in 8 popular subjects: detailed feedback on their strengths and Designed specifically for international unit to help you implement the
Accounting, Business Studies, weaknesses. schools, the Edexcel International Primary curriculum
Biology, Chemistry, Curriculum caters for pupils in years 3 to 6 Gives you and your pupils a
Economics, Law, Physics and Below is a summary of the programmes (ages 8-11) and is available for English, Maths seamless and cohesive teaching
Mathematics. offered by Cambridge International and Science. Based on the UK National and learning experience, especially
Written to the same rigorous Examinations and Edexcel. For more details, Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2, it gives when used alongside other Edexcel
standards as all Edexcel please visit their websites (see back page). pupils a well-rounded education while giving qualifications for ages 8-19.
qualifications. teachers an easy-to-implement frameworks
Regulated by Pearson. and an easy way to monitor pupil progress. Cambridge Secondary 1
Provides progression from Edexcel Cambridge Primary Created by experienced primary authors and
International GCSEs. teachers, The Edexcel International Primary The Cambridge Secondary 1 programme is
The Cambridge Primary programme is Curriculum: typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years.
What subjects can I take? typically for children aged 5 to 11 years. It It develops skills and understanding in
Please contact us for an updated list of the develop a strong foundation of skills in Gives pupils a solid foundation for mathematics, English and science.
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The programme: for international schools, the Edexcel Many schools use a mixture of awarding Do I have to register through a school?
International Lower Secondary Curriculum bodies.
includes optional tests to allow caters for pupils in Years 7 to 9 (ages 12-14) Students who are enrolled at a registered
teachers to assess your child’s and is available for English, Maths and Their school examinations are recognized by school are normally expected to enter for
learning as they progress Science. the Office of Qualifications and Examinations their examinations through their school as a
develops students’ global outlook Regulation (Ofqual) in England and are school candidate. If you are not a school
and equips them for success in the Based on the UK National Curriculum Key recognized by employers and universities student, you can register online with the
modern world Stage 3, it gives pupils a well-rounded across the world. British Council as a private candidate and
prepares students for the next education while giving teachers an can take the examination. The services
stage of their education, including easy-to-implement framework and an easy The awarding bodies differ in the number of provided to private candidates throughout
GCSEs/IGCSEs. way to monitor pupil progress. subjects that they offer, the contents of the the entire process are exactly the same as
syllabus and the ways in which they set their what a candidate from a recognized school
Children can sit Cambridge Secondary 1 The Pearson Edexcel International Lower examinations. would get. Just because you want to register
Checkpoint tests at the end of Grade 8 at Secondary Curriculum develops English, independently does not mean that things will
11-13 years. The tests are available in mathematics and science skills and Does it make any difference which become harder for you.
English, English as a second language, knowledge in young children aged 12 to board I sit my examinations under?
mathematics and science. They are marked 14 years. Will having foreign qualifications make
by Cambridge International Examinations and No. If a university employer or government it harder for me to find a job in
provide an external international benchmark Giving them a solid foundation for accepts O-Levels, IGCSE, GCSE and A-Levels Pakistan?
for your child’s performance. Each learner lifelong learning they will not ask which board awarded the
receives a statement of achievement, which Providing an international standard certificate. Your school will choose the board No. The majority of employers welcome
gives an indication of their academic of achievement after considering a number of factors such O-Level/IGCSE and A-Levels/International A
progress during this education stage, and Allowing you to track their progress as the subjects on offer, the syllabus, the Levels. Many prefer staff from an A-Level /
detailed feedback on their strengths and and identify barriers to learning style of the examinations, the availability of International A Level background as they
weaknesses. This helps teachers to give Giving them a love of learning that resources, the preferences of the school appreciate the analytical and problem
advice on your child’s progression routes. will stay with them through school, governing board, teachers and parents. solving skills which are a key part of success
university and beyond. in UK qualifications. This is especially true for
Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint provides Where are my examinations marked? international organisations.
excellent preparation for higher Cambridge The tests are marked by Pearson Edexcel
qualifications including the IGCSE. It builds and provide and external international All O Level, A Level and IGCSE examination Do I need to sit for practical
on the foundations of Cambridge Primary, benchmark you’re your child’s performance. papers for the whole world are marked in the examinations?
but it is not essential to have completed UK by examiners appointed, trained and
that stage before beginning Cambridge Frequently Asked questions monitored by the boards. Whether you are following the Cambridge or
Secondary 1. Edexcel curriculum for subjects such as
What school exam bodies are there in Can examiners be biased towards Chemistry, Biology and Physics, you will not
the UK & Pakistan? certain countries? be required to take practical examinations at
International Lower Secondary O-Level but instead will need to take ‘alterna-
Curriculum The UK has five awarding bodies offering As candidates are only identified by a tive to practical’ units to demonstrate that
school level qualifications. Schools and number, the examiner also has no way of you have completed the practical syllabus
Pearson Edexcel International Lower colleges are able to freely choose between knowing the identity of the candidate. during your course of study in school.
Secondary Curriculum designed specifically them on a subject-by-subject basis. However, you will be required to sit for a
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practical examination when sitting for certain opportunities, that add value to SOME FACTS ABOUT OUR EXAMINATION number of outreach venues.
A-Level subjects. their CV’s when applying to ADMINISTRATION
universities How are the examinations conducted?
I have heard of a body called IBCC. Can Leaders: conferences, networking events, How do we choose the venues?
you tell me more about it? study visits and more In addition to our dedicated staff who
Teachers: training & workshops for We go to great lengths to identify suitable are present at all venues to assure standards
Inter board committee of chairman (IBCC) professional development premises which meet the UK boards’ and at every examination session, we have
IBCC is an important body of which you British Council regulations before contracting experienced and professional invigilators.
should be aware especially if you wish to To find out more about the PSN and how it them as examination venues. We choose our They all go through rigorous recruitment
pursue higher studies within Pakistan. can help you or your school contact Sara venues based on a number of factors and professional training on examination
Qureshi at including size, location, lighting, air administration every year. Some of our
IBCC is a government educational regulatory sara.qureshi@britishciuncil.org.pk conditioning, generator support and other invigilators are doctors, university
authority that grants equivalence of foreign facilities. But above all, we give priority professors, teachers and engineers.
qualifications with corresponding Pakistani to the security of our venues.
qualifications. This becomes very important if We ensure that all of our invigilators are
a student wishes to enter Pakistani higher What items are candidates allowed to neutral and are not connected in any
education institutes after doing their GCE take into the examination hall? way with the candidates sitting for the
exams. Please visit IBCC website for examination at the same venue.
comprehensive information on equivalence, Candidates must bring black or dark blue
subject combinations, compulsory subjects writing pens, pencils, erasers, We ensure that all our support staff are
and conversion formula non-programmable calculators and any fully trained; every venue has at least one
other permitted equipment required for the member of staff who is a trained First-Aider,
IBCC website: http://ibcc.edu.pk/ examination along with their Statement of though often there are more trained staff
Entry, valid national identification card / available to assist.
Does British Council do anything for passport or smart card.
schools and students apart from What arrangements are there for
exams? Branded drinking water is available for Special Needs candidates?
candidates inside the examination hall. All
Indeed. The PSN (Partner Schools Network) is candidates need to undergo strict security We make every effort to cater for candidates
a new global initiative by the British Council, checks before they are allowed into the with special needs. If your circumstances
aimed at strengthening our relationship with examination hall. Bring only permitted items require special administrative arrangements
schools that offer these UK qualifications. In and get through quickly. If you do bring your to be made, for example extra time, you must
Pakistan alone nearly 500 schools are part of own drinking water, please make sure the apply to us when you register for your
the PSN. Although we already enjoy a healthy bottle is transparent and unlabeled. examinations. Please inform us when you
relationship with a large number of these register if you have special needs.
schools our goal is to add further value by
going beyond exams delivery. To this end we Where can I sit for examinations? What if a candidate suddenly falls sick?
offer :-
To cater to the needs of candidates who live We try to assess the candidate’s condition
Learners: learning support via cutting-edge outside of major cities i.e. Islamabad, Lahore, as quickly as possible and contact the
digital resources & extra-curricular Karachi, we conduct examinations at a large parent. If the candidate recovers within 15
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minutes, we allow the candidate to continue www.cie.org.uk WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
the examination. Additional time is not www.edexcel.com
granted but a report is made of the incident For more information and advice on GCE
and sent to the exam board who will take this examination and other UK qualification
into consideration. please call us toll-free at 0800 22000
(Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
What facilities are there for parents at or write to us at
venues? info@britishcouncil.org.pk
Our primary concern is the security and Or visit British Council website:
comfort of the candidates. Due to the www.britishcouncil.pk
security situation prevailing in the country
we are unable to offer parents or teachers You can also visit Awarding body websites for
any waiting facilities. Parents are requested further information.
to drop their children at the venue and pick
them up at the end of the examination. Edexcel International: www.edexcel.com
Study Tips
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