Parents’ Meeting (for parents of students in 10+) Exams A Levels University applications

GCSE / AS / A2 !?!?!

Std. 10 & Std. 11  2 year courses IGCSE International GCSE GCSE (exceptions are Religious Studies which is done in Std. 9 & std. 10 and Mathematics for some students) This is equivalent to Std. 9 & Std. 10 in many countries (including India, USA, Australia) GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education

GCSE / AS / A2 !?!?! Std. 12  1 year courses AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Std. 13  second ½ of 2 year courses A2 (incorporates the AS grade from the year before) This is equivalent to Std. 11 & Std. 12 in many countries (including India, USA, Australia) GCE = General Certificate of Education

At Hebron we recommend; Std. 12  4 AS Subjects (plus PD, PE & GS) Std. 13  3 A2 Subjects (plus PD, PE & GS)

Example 1: Std 12: Mathematics, History, French, Chemistry Std 13: Mathematics, French, Chemistry A2: Mathematics, French Chemistry AS: General Paper, History

Example 2: Std 12: Biology, Art, German, Business Studies Std 13: Art, German, Business Studies, Tech A2: Art, German, Business Studies AS: General Paper, Biology, Tech

Exams At Hebron students sit exams in May / June There are some exams offered in November (this is for Std. 11 Mathematics taken ‘early’) Timetables for exams will be on the Hebron Website – When the exam boards finalise their timetables, a ‘Hebron timetable’ will be placed in the website.

Exam Dates at end of June The Leaver’s Service is on Saturday 15 th June ALL leaving students (std. 11 – 13) are expected to leave by Sunday 16 th June unless they still have an exam. Music – 19 th June – A2 Music Students Mathematics C4 – 18 th June – A2 Maths & AS Further Maths Students Mathematics FP2 – 21 st June (am) – A2 Further Maths Students Mathematics FP3 – 24 th June (pm) - A2 Further Maths Students

Exam Dates at end of June Good News is that there are not any IGCSE or GCSE exams after the Leaver’s Service.

Exams Re-marks If the exam board does not change the mark, then parents must bear the cost. (GBP50) This year we’ve had 2 out 9 go up this year by a few UMS marks (not even a grade). The biggest RISK is not the financial cost is that the grade may actually go down and the new grade stands. This year we have not had any go down – this is due to careful consideration before any requests have been made.

Exams Re-Sits Re-sits – costs GBP18 + GBP43 a subject + postage!! (one student this year is re-sitting all 4 subjects at a cost of INR 25,000) The bigger cost to consider is TIME – students have drama, A2 courses, Music, SATs etc. to consider during this time (as most re-sit in November). The difference here is that if the grade is not improved by re-sitting the best grade stands. Encourage your children to “get it right the first time”

SAT, PSAT PSATs – can only be done in (or before!) Std. 11 (it’s for 9 th and 10 th Grade Students) October – this year 20th Offered at Hebron (& many other schools)

SAT, PSAT SATs – should be done in Std. 12 or Std. 13 Usually the first Saturday in the month Closest center is GSIS Parents need to enter their students for SATs Hebron staff arrange transport only Hebron does NOT offer SAT preparation courses There are many online practice tests & books available

Why should Hebron Students complete the full A Level Progamme? A Levels is a very important all-round maturing programme, building towards the greater independence and level of responsibility. Examples include: The greater emphasis on independent research, critical thinking, presentation skills and in-depth analysis in A2 academic courses. The leadership opportunities including Student Council, Prefects, House Captains. In fact all Std 13 students are given leadership roles and responsibilities at Hebron. The increasingly student-led and challenging extra-curricular opportunities in Drama, International Award for Young People, Christian Activities, Charity work and Music.

Why should Hebron Students complete the full A Level Progamme? A Levels is a very important all-round maturing programme, building towards the greater independence and level of responsibility. Examples include: The opportunities for cultural exposure and in-depth interaction with class peers, through the Delhi tour and other major dorm outings, the Orientation for College life through PD lessons. The opportunity to research courses during PD lessons, as well as attend presentations by universities and colleges from all around the world (sometimes these are made as part of PD lessons and are not open to younger students). The opportunity to prepare over a full academic year to leave with classmates, culminating in the Leavers’ Weekend and the Graduation programme at the end of the year.

Why should Hebron Students complete the full A Level Progamme? Academically students will be disadvantaged by leaving before they complete the full two years of A Levels. Students apply to colleges and universities on the strength of their results in IGCSE, AS and A2 exams. If they apply in Std 12, the only results that are completed are IGCSEs. If applying to the USA, the other important component for admission to a good college is a high SAT score and the better colleges often require SAT 2 (Subject SAT) results as well as SAT 1. Students consistently achieve higher SAT1 results in Std 13, and are rarely able to attempt SAT 2 earlier. However good students who complete Std 13, regularly achieve very high SAT 2 results and are consistently rewarded for their A Level courses in the form of significant college credit, sometimes amounting to a whole year of credit. Students who complete Std. 13 with three good A Levels and are granted credit may be able to complete a 4-year college course in the USA in 3 years or will be able to take a lighter load and work to earn money alongside studying. Several Hebron students have been given credit in US colleges on the basis of their A2/ Std 13 subject passes. The UGC requirement for entry into an Indian university degree course is a minimum of 2 A2 passes at A Level.

Why should Hebron Students complete the full A Level Progamme? The Hebron community is diminished by the loss of students half way through what is an excellent A Level programme; while as a school we accept the early withdrawal of students from the programme, it does undermine the training and personal development of students that we are working hard to provide.

Why should Hebron Students complete the full A Level Progamme? There can be good reasons to leave Hebron before completing A Levels. Sometimes it is appropriate for students to leave early because of family reasons. Sometimes a student is finding the A Level programme too academic and is unlikely to succeed at the more demanding A2 level in Std. 13, or in some cases they may find the AS level in Std. 12 too demanding. If a student is interested in studying professional courses at an Indian University, it may actually be appropriate for them to leave after Std. 11 so that they can complete their higher secondary school (+2) education in one of the Indian exam Boards (ICSE/ CBSE/ State Board etc) and then to prepare for the competitive entrance exams.

University Applications June Std. 12: Students asked to discuss location and type of course with parents during the holidays.

University Applications August Std. 13: PD lessons allow time for course research and Personal Statements are written (where needed).

University Applications 15 th October: Oxbridge & Medicine applications due (earlier if interviews in Asia)

University Applications December Std. 13: All UK applications due Majority of Northern Hemisphere applications due

University Applications March Std. 13: Indian applications finalised October post grad: Southern Hemisphere applications due

University Applications June Std. 12: Students asked to discuss location and type of course with parents during the holidays. August Std. 13: PD lessons allow time for course research and Personal Statements are written (where needed). 15 th October: Oxbridge & Medicine applications due (earlier if interviews in Asia) December Std. 13: All UK applications due December Std. 13: Majority of Northern Hemisphere applications due March Std. 13: Indian applications finalised October post grad: Southern Hemisphere applications due

University Applications Parents – please discuss the following with your children BEFORE they start Std. 13 Location – What is realistic for your family? – Cost, Visa, living arrangements, travel etc. Course – What is realistic? – AS grades are a good indicator of what students should be applying for

University Applications How Hebron Helps your Children Choosing courses Writing personal statements Filling in application forms Provide Transcripts, References and other required documents Please don’t expect Hebron staff to do this during the holidays!

University Applications Useful Things to Know Hebron Students are not required to sit TOEFL or another English Language exam (as long as they received a C or higher in IGCSE English Language). Students are strongly encouraged to restrict their applications to 6 courses.

Questions?