Students who want to challenge themselves by taking college-level course work while in high school have many options that can lead to possible transfer/ advanced standing credit at U.S. higher education institutions.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams allow students to study individual courses in eight subject matters, which are then examined at the end of the academic year. The International Baccalaureate (IB) provides holistic programming at all levels of education, and culminates with the IB Diploma program, which utilized both internal and external assessments at the high school level.

Both the AP and the IB have become familiar to domestic admissions officers and registrars, and many of the AP examinations and IB courses have been articulated to college courses. In addition, many institutions publish their policies for the possibility of transfer or advanced standing credit for prospective incoming students so that it is clear from the onset what courses and credit may be awarded by the institution.

Although domestic admissions officers are familiar with AP and IB courses, many domestic admissions and registers are not familiar with the British Advanced (A) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) examinations. As transnational education (TNE) thrives with in the higher education space, with joint degree, twinning, and other TNE models, we are seeing more and more high school level students, even in the U.S. domestic context, that are choosing to take the A and AS examinations.

As this trend continues, it becomes more and more important for registrars and admissions officers to not only become familiar with the examinations, but have a clear policy as to possible transfer and advanced standing credit. Having a published policy regarding transfer and advanced standing credit for A and AS level examinations for prospective students can help aid in the student’s decision to attend an institution.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is one of the leading examination bodies in the U.K. that provides international examinations. With over 10,000 schools in over 160 countries, Cambridge International examinations are recognized throughout the world as high quality academic qualifications that prepare students to be successful in their academic career. In the U.S., Cambridge Assessment International Education has over 370 schools, with more being added each year. There are a variety of choices that U.S. schools have in delivering the Cambridge International curriculum, from just the Cambridge International A and AS level to the holistic programming option with in the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate (AICE) Diploma, which incorporates the Cambridge International A and AS level examinations within the diploma program.

Join AACRAO and Cambridge Assessment International Education on October 29 for an informative webinar, "Cambridge AS and A levels in the U.S. context." 

This free webinar will outline the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma, Cambridge International A and AS level examinations, and recent findings on the performance of AICE students at U.S. higher education in institutions. Register now.