Upper Secondary 16-18yrs	International A and AS Level Cambridge Pre-U AICE Diploma
Middle Secondary 14-16yrs	Cambridge IGCSE Cambridge O Level ICE
Lower Secondary 11-14yrs	Lower Secondary Programme Cambridge Checkpoint ICT Starters
Primary 5-11yrs	The Primary Programme ICT Starters

Cambridge ICT Starters

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Programme

Are the Cambridge ICT Starters available in any other languages?
The syllabus and assessment is available in English and Spanish. With the prior consent of CIE, some centres may be permitted to translate the Cambridge ICT Starters syllabus and administer their assessment tasks in the local language, providing the resulting sample of candidates’ work is translated before submission.
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Can individual modules be taken?
No, either the stage 1 modules or the full certificate at the appropriate level must be completed together.
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Can the Cambridge ICT Starters be taken on Apple Mac computers?
Yes. The only evidence we require is printed copies of the students’ work and the Learning Objectives Record Sheet.
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Does specific software have to be used?
No. Any software which the centre and students feel comfortable with is appropriate, as long as it allows candidates to meet all Learning Objectives.
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How do we receive the Cambridge ICT Starters Exam papers?
To receive the Cambridge ICT Starters papers, please contact international@cie.org.uk.

Some Centres may prefer to create their own assessment papers or to adapt the CIE papers in order to relate them to their school curriculum. This is permissible but Centres are advised to seek CIE approval of their assessment papers before presenting them to candidates.
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How can I register for the Cambridge ICT Starters?
If you are already a CIE centre you need only notify us in writing that you wish to add Cambridge ICT Starters to the list of courses you are eligible to run. You will automatically be sent an information pack, including Provisional Entry Forms, once you have been registered. If you are not an existing Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) centre you will need to contact CIE Customer Support in the first instance. We will send you a centre registration pack. Subject to a centre inspection and satisfaction of our centre status criteria, you will be allocated a centre number and you will automatically be sent entry documentation. Please note registration can take some time so we advise you contact us at least 3 months prior to offering your first course.
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How many modules do students have to take to gain the full qualification?
Each level of the scheme contains 2 stages, with an equal number of modules. All modules must be achieved at Stage 1 for Cambridge ICT Starters Stage 1 certificate and all modules must be achieved at both stages for a full certificate. At Initial Steps Level this means that 3 modules must be completed for a Stage 1 certificate and 6 modules must be completed for the full certificate. At Next Steps and On Track Level, 4 modules are required for the Stage 1 certificate, and 8 modules for the full certificate.
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How much class time is recommended?
There are no easy answers to this one. The reason we do not prescribe this is that students may be different ages or levels and are able to devote varying amounts of time to the course. We recommend 1 – 2 years for a full level. The best approach is to look at the modules yourself and decide how long you think it would take for your students to be able to confidently meet the Learning Objectives.
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Is any special training or certification required of tutors of Cambridge ICT Starters?
We don’t demand any formal training or certification for teachers. Centres should familiarize themselves with skills required from the whole syllabus before delivering a course. In particular, they should be able to cope confidently with a wide range of software and applications. However, we do offer the Cambridge International Diploma in Teaching with ICT for teachers who wish to gain formal certification in this area.
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Can assessments be carried out in lesson time?
The assessment tests must be completed under supervised and controlled examinations as detailed in the syllabus. It is possible to carry out the assessments during normal timetabled periods during the normal working day, as long as all procedures are followed during the assessments. Candidates are not permitted access to their own files. No tuition can be given after the candidate has commenced the assessment.
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What should the pupil:computer ratio be?
Pupils can share computers during their learning but they all need access to a computer individually during the assessment itself.
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