Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus - Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge Pre-U Syllabus
Assessment
The Assessment Objectives and assessment model in this syllabus have been designed to allow appropriate
progression from GCSE, IGCSE, and other qualifications of similar level. This syllabus includes little that
should already have been covered. Learners are expected to revisit areas already covered in previous
courses, rather than having these re-taught, taking responsibility for their own learning and progress; an
important skill.
Key features of the assessment of this Biology syllabus include:
• Scope for incorporating cutting-edge science into the framework of this syllabus;
• An exciting assessment framework featuring:
• examination questions targeted at the full range of ability, some set in familiar and some in novel
contexts;
• a variety of assessment methods including objective, short answer and essay questions and a
practical paper.
• a practical examination to reward candidates who have gained a wide range of laboratory and
higher-order practical skills.
The course gives candidates opportunities to develop their interests and communication skills through
researching topics and communicating their findings in presentations, discussions, critical essays, designing
learning aids and making posters, flow diagrams and charts. The course develops experimental
competence by suggesting appropriate practical work in each section and by giving an accessible and
rigorous summative test of practical skills in the Practical examination and in the planning question in
Paper 2.
The practical examination is designed to reward effective learning of practical skills. It provides a formal
assessment model that will encourage the teaching and learning of practical skills as an integrated part of
the course. It will make a virtue of the ‘plan, obtain data, analyse and evaluate’ model as well as giving a
clear incentive to the development of skills of making and presenting observations.
Prior knowledge and progression
The syllabus builds on the candidate’s understanding of science whether this has been gained from Level 2
(IGCSE, GCSE, Cambridge International Certificate) qualifications in Biology, IGCSE Co-ordinated Science,
GCSE Science plus GCSE Additional Science or other comparable qualifications. It is recommended that
candidates have attained communication and literacy skills at a level equivalent to IGCSE and GCSE Grade
C in English.
The course will equip candidates with a coherent theoretical and practical base of transferable skills and key
knowledge suitable for future study and employment in Biology and related fields (e.g. medicine,
biochemistry, applied sciences) whilst providing thought-provoking material to appeal to those who do not
wish to pursue a scientific career.
7