CIE (2024)

FAQs

What is a passing grade for CIE? ›

Passing grades for Cambridge International AS & A Levels are E (equivalent to a US letter grade of 'C') or higher. Unlike US systems, there is no letter grade to designate a failure (no 'F' equivalent). If a student does not pass, they simply do not receive a grade, and their exam result appears as 'ungraded.

IGCSE Grading System Decoded

Schools in these regions can opt for A*-G or 9-1 grading. The grading scale comprises A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and U (ungraded). Three anchor points benchmark standards between the two grading systems: a 9-7 correlates to an A*-A, a 6-4 correlates to a B-C, and a 3-1 correlates to a D-G.

Both examinations are set at similar levels of difficulty, although individual opinions differ with some students find certain subjects in one examination more difficult than in the other. Both CIE and EDEXCEL are for students in the 14 to 16 year age group.

There is NO difference to the abbreviation of CIE and CAIE for Cambridge International. It is simply a slight change of name of Cambridge International. CIE stands for the Cambridge International Examination. CAIE: Cambridge Assessment International Education or CAIE.

CIE (Cambridge International Examinations)

CIE, not being one of the main UK boards, often triggers the question: Is it the hardest exam board? While standards are high and the exams are challenging, the difficulty level, much like with the other boards, often depends on individual student strengths.

All Group of 8 universities (Go8) in Australia accept Pearson Edexcel IALs. Pearson Edexcel IALs are recognised by US universities including: Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Edexcel and Cambridge English exams have different formats and focus, making them challenging in unique ways. Generally, Edexcel is seen as more straightforward, while Cambridge is considered more rigorous with a broader range of skills tested.

Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is often perceived as having more challenging exams. This is primarily due to the inclusion of structured, high-order questions in their exam papers, emphasizing the application of learned content rather than relying solely on practical assessments.

The CIE is a technical, scientific and cultural non-profit organization whose objectives are: To provide an international forum for the discussion of all matters relating to the science, technology and art in the fields of light and lighting and for the interchange of information in these fields between countries.

Your rank score is calculated by combining the tariff points of a maximum of six subject units (at AS or A level) over the last two years of study. One AS level is counted as equivalent to 1 subject unit, while one A level equates to 2 subject units.

What does CIE test stand for? ›

Cambridge Assessment International Education (informally known as Cambridge International or simply Cambridge and formerly known as CIE, Cambridge International Examinations) is a provider of international qualifications, offering examinations and qualifications to 10,000 schools in more than 160 countries.

GCE Advanced Level - grades A*(a*), A(a), B(b), C(c), D(d), or E(e) indicate a pass at Advanced Level, grade A*(a*) being the highest and grade E(e) the lowest. GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level - grades a(a), b(b), c(c), d(d), or e(e) indicate the standard reached, grade a (a) being the highest and grade e (e) the lowest.

Grading and assessment

The Cambridge International A Level is reported on a grade scale from A* (highest) to E (minimum required performance). There is no A* grade for Cambridge International AS Levels, which are reported from grade A to E. Each subject is graded separately and no Grade Point Average is calculated.

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.