International qualifications 2013 (pdf) - CUKAS

Qualifications currently offered
Subject: Maths
Standard Level Extended Level
Stanine Scores Max. 50 points Max. 50 points
1st stanine – lowest 4% 0% – 10% 0% – 10%
2nd stanine – very low 7% 11% – 18% 11% – 28%
3rd stanine – low 12% 19% – 30% 29% – 40%
4th stanine – low medium 17% 31% – 42% 41% – 54%
5th stanine – medium 20% 43% – 54% 55% – 56%
6th stanine – high medium 17% 55% – 66% 67% – 76%
7th stanine – high 12% 67% – 76% 77% – 86%
8th stanine – very high 7% 77% – 86% 87% – 94%
9th stanine – highest 4% 87% – 100% 95% – 100%
Subject: Geography
Standard Level Extended Level
Stanine Scores Max. 50 points Max. 60 points
1st stanine – lowest 4% 0% – 22% 0% – 10%
2nd stanine – very low 7% 23% – 32% 11% – 22%
3rd stanine – low 12% 33% – 44% 23% – 37%
4th stanine – low medium 17% 45% – 56% 38% – 55%
5th stanine – medium 20% 57% – 68% 56% – 72%
6th stanine – high medium 17% 69% – 76% 73% – 83%
7th stanine – high 12% 77% – 82% 84% – 90%
8th stanine – very high 7% 83% – 88% 91% – 95%
9th stanine – highest 4% 89% – 100% 96% – 100%
Subject: Chemistry
Standard Level Extended Level
Stanine Scores Max. 50 points Max. 60 points
1st stanine – lowest 4% 0% – 22% 0% – 10%
2nd stanine – very low 7% 23% – 32% 11% – 22%
3rd stanine – low 12% 33% – 44% 23% – 37%
4th stanine – low medium 17% 45% – 56% 38% – 55%
5th stanine – medium 20% 57% – 68% 56% – 72%
6th stanine – high medium 17% 69% – 76% 73% – 83%
7th stanine – high 12% 77% – 82% 84% – 90%
8th stanine – very high 7% 83% – 88% 91% – 95%
9th stanine – highest 4% 89% – 100% 96% – 100%
Pre-2004 the grading system was as follows:
6 celujacy (excellent)
5 bardzo dobry (very good)
4 dobry (good)
3 dostateczny (satisfactory/pass)
2 mierny (mediocre)
1 niedostateczny (unsatisfactory)
EDUCATION SYSTEM
The education system consists of primary schools, lower
secondary schools and upper secondary schools (general upper
secondary, technical upper secondary, specialised upper
secondary and basic vocational schools). Tuition in state schools is
free. Full-time compulsory education continues until the pupil is
16 years of age. Part-time compulsory education, however, in
school or out-of-school, lasts until 18 years of age (based on the
Constitution of the Republic of Poland adopted in 1997).
Full-time compulsory education in primary schools starts when
the child reaches seven years of age. However, starting 2004/05
school year, all six-year-old children are obliged to attend preschool
classes (either in kindergartens or in primary schools) in
order to complete a mandatory year of preparation for primary
education. Education in primary schools lasts six years. This sixyear
period culminates in national testing, to provide information
on how much pupils have learned. Progression is on to
gimnazjum (lower secondary school). Primary and lower
secondary schools (ie compulsory schools) have so-called “school
areas”, which means that every child who is a resident of that
area is admitted in his/her local school. If parents wish to choose
another school, they are free to do so provided there are places
available.
The three-year period at lower secondary school concludes with
an examination, split into two parts: humanities and science (the
latter combining mathematics and natural science). A foreign
language element has been included since 2009. Upper
secondary schools are selected on the basis of the results of this
examination. Students choose from three-year general upper
secondary schools (liceum), four-year technical upper secondary
schools (technikum), two-three-year basic vocational schools
(zasadnicza szkola zawodowa) or three-year specialised upper
secondary schools (liceum profilowane).
Education at vocational schools concludes with a professional
examination, which, from 2004, is externally assessed.
Specialised upper secondary schools offer a combination of
academic and vocational study, which can act as a base to obtain
professional qualifications in post-secondary schools (szkola
policealna). Specialised upper secondary and general and
technical upper secondary schools culminate with the matura.
From 2004/05 a new system of matura examinations was
implemented. Assessment is through externally assessed written
examinations and oral examinations assessed in school (the latter
concern both Polish/mother tongue and modern languages).
Subjects are available at basic and advanced levels.
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
On passing the matura school-leaving examination, students
may continue their education at an institution of tertiary
education (university or college). Dependent on the type of
institution, field and duration of study, students read for the
licentiate (minimum three years of study) or engineer (minimum
three and a half years of study), or for a master’s degree (four
and a half to six years, depending on the field of study, socalled
long-cycle programmes). Upon completion of licentiate or
engineer studies (first-cycle programmes), the graduates can
continue their education undertaking second-cycle
programmes leading to master’s degrees (lasting one and a
half to two years). On graduation, holders of the master’s
degree may begin doctoral studies (third-cycle programmes) or
non-degree postgraduate studies. Non-degree postgraduate
studies can usually be pursued by holders of licentiate degrees
as well as those holding master’s degrees.
Portugal
EVALUATION
Diploma de Ensino Secundário (previously known as
Certificado do 12° ano)
The Diploma de Ensino Secundário is granted after successful
completion of the 12th year of schooling. Acceptable as a group
qualification satisfying general entrance requirements for UK
HEIs, provided that an overall grade of at least ‘bom’ has been
achieved.
GRADING SYSTEM - between 0 and 20 - pass mark 10
20 – 18 muito bom (excellent)
17 – 14 bom (good)
13 – 10 suficiente (pass)
9 – 5 mediocre (poor)
4 – 0 mau (very poor)
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Nine years of compulsory basic education is followed by three
years of secondary education, which may comprise courses with
INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 49