13% more Pakistani students sat CIE

Nearly 500 schools are preparing students for the Cambridge O’ Level and AS/A’ Levels in Pakistan.

KARACHI:

This year there was a 13% increase in the students sitting the exams, according to Uzma Yousuf, the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) communications country manager.

Nearly 500 schools are preparing students for the Cambridge O’ Level and Cambridge International AS/A’ Levels in Pakistan. They registered approximately 180,000 students. The total percentage increase also includes students who sat the exams privately and not through registered schools.

Another trend to note this year was that Cambridge Checkpoint has become one of the fastest-growing qualifications in Pakistan and across the world. It includes diagnostic tests that are used by schools just before their students enter the O’ Level stream (usually class VIII). Students receive a statement of achievement indicating academic progress and predicting how they will perform at the O’ Level or IGCSE. The three most popular subjects for O’ Level students are English Language, Islamiyat and Math, and at the AS/A’ Level Math, Physics and Chemistry.

“The results are a reflection of the enormous talent in Pakistan, not only amongst the learners but also within the teaching profession,” said William Bickerdike, who is the CIE manager for the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. “We are very proud to congratulate learners across the country on their results.” The CIE will release the list of higher achievers in December.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2012.