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Cambridge AICE Diploma

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Programme

About the Programme

• What is the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• Do I have to enter for the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• How do I find out more details?
• When did it start?
• We have a student who would like to sit exams in June 2007, November 2007 and June 2008. She is planning to do a combination of A Levels and AS Levels. Would this kind of a timetable be possible?
• What can count towards the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• Do students have to take at least one subject from each group in order to gain the Cambridge AICE award?
• If this is indeed the case, can a student then only take a half-credit in one of the groups to satisfy this criterion?
• Would a student be free to enter for a single half-credit, which would assist in making an allowable Cambridge AICE Diploma entry, but the results of this entry would not be counted into the point aggregate for his Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• Can one half-credit be taken, to a maximum award of 30 points, as a boost to the overall potential points score, or must there be a mandatory entry of two half-credits regardless of other entries?
• Can I enter three A Levels and still get the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• If I do more than 6 credits, how is my Cambridge AICE Diploma point score calculated?
• What are research projects?
• Are there more details available on research projects?
• How much does a research project count towards the group award?
• Can I enter for a research project in any subject?
• Do I need to seek permission from CIE before I submit research projects?
• I want to submit a single project to be marked by CIE but not count it towards the award – can I do this?
• Can I submit two projects in the same subject?
• My Centre needs to provide a local language not provided by CIE – what can I do?

• What is the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group award designed for Centres that want to offer a broader curriculum reflecting modern trends. Candidates enter for 6 credits’ worth of subjects (an AS is 1 credit, an A Level 2 credits) covering three broad subject areas (Mathematics and Sciences, Languages, Arts and Humanities).
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• Do I have to enter for the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• No, Centres can choose whether to or not. Those wishing to enter for a more traditional combination of subjects, or any other combination of subjects that suits their own particular circumstances, are free to do so.
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• How do I find out more details?
• The booklet ‘The Cambridge AICE Diploma – An Introduction’ is a good, comprehensive guide. It can be downloaded in PDF format or ordered from Order Publications.
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• When did it start?
• The first Cambridge AICE Diplomas were awarded in June 2002.
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• We have a student who would like to sit exams in June 2007, November 2007 and June 2008. She is planning to do a combination of A Levels and AS Levels. Would this kind of a timetable be possible?
• Yes – provided all the results that will count towards the final Cambridge AICE Diploma point score fall within a 13-month period.
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• What can count towards the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• All CIE’s A Level, Advanced Subsidiary and Cambridge AICE half-credit syllabuses can count towards the new Cambridge AICE Diploma – please see ‘The Cambridge AICE Diploma – An Introduction’ booklet for full details. Research projects (see below) may also be used.
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• Do students have to take at least one subject from each group in order to gain the Cambridge AICE award?
• Yes, and students must pass at least one subject from each group (Mathematics and Science, Languages or Arts and Humanities).
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• If this is indeed the case, can a student then only take a half-credit in one of the groups to satisfy this criterion?
• Yes, this is part of the strength of Cambridge AICE, in that it gives greater flexibility to Centres in setting their own curriculum.
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• Would a student be free to enter for a single half-credit, which would assist in making an allowable Cambridge AICE Diploma entry, but the results of this entry would not be counted into the point aggregate for his Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• Correct, the candidate must pass at least one subject in each group but the best results making up 6 credits are used to determine the Cambridge AICE Diploma result.
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• Can one half-credit be taken, to a maximum award of 30 points, as a boost to the overall potential points score, or must there be a mandatory entry of two half-credits regardless of other entries?
• No, half credit Cambridge AICE results cannot be used to boost the point score. However if 2 half-credit results would give a higher point score than an AS, then the half-credit scores will be used instead.
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• Can I enter three A Levels and still get the Cambridge AICE Diploma?
• Yes, but the three must be taken from the three groups, demonstrating a good, broad skills base. For a full list of permissible combinations please see the Introduction booklet.
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• If I do more than 6 credits, how is my Cambridge AICE Diploma point score calculated?
• Having ensured that a Pass is achieved in each of the three subject areas, the point score is calculated based on the best results that make up 6 credits. An A Level (being a double credit) can count for a maximum of 120 points, an AS for 60 and a half-credit for 30, with a sliding scale depending on the grade achieved – again, please see the Introduction booklet for a more detailed explanation. The maximum point score is 360 and any score of less than 120 will be reported as an Cambridge AICE Diploma failure.
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• What are research projects?
• The research project is an assessment which offers students the opportunity to demonstrate the skills of independent study and pursue areas of particular interest in greater depth.
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• Are there more details available on research projects?
• Yes, the booklet ‘The Cambridge AICE Diploma – Guide to Research Projects’ gives all the information required. It can be downloaded in Order Publications.
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• How much does a research project count towards the group award?
• Research projects must be done in pairs and both together count as 1 full credit.
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• Can I enter for a research project in any subject?
• No, the candidate must be entered for an AS in an associated subject and a maximum of two projects may be submitted.
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• Do I need to seek permission from CIE before I submit research projects?
• No, provided the 'Guide to Research Projects' booklet covers the subject – but a proposal form must be submitted by the dates given on the back of the form (included at the back of the booklet). If the Centre wishes to enter a project in a subject not covered by the booklet then they must seek the CIE's advice prior to commencement.
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• I want to submit a single project to be marked by CIE but not count it towards the award – can I do this?
• This is fine but the project will not be certificated as part of the AICE Diploma.
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• Can I submit two projects in the same subject?
• Yes, but they must be independent pieces of work.
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• My Centre needs to provide a local language not provided by CIE – what can I do?
• The booklet ‘Regulations for School Based Cambridge AICE Full/AS Language Syllabuses’ will explain how Centres can, with CIE’s help and validation, provide their own courses to fill such gaps.
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