Glossary

British Curriculum

GCSE

General Certificate of Secondary Education - pupils take up to 10 subjects at this level, typically aged 14 to16

A level

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level. Pupils choose to study three or four subjects, ages 16-18

BTEC

Business and Technology Education Council qualification that combines hands-on experience with traditional teaching. An alternative or a complement to A levels.

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate, ages 16-18

PYP

Primary Years Programme, ages 3-12

MYP

Middle Years Programme, ages 12-16

IBDP

IB Diploma Programme, ages 16-18

IBCP

IB Careers Programme, ages 16-18

US Curriculum

High school diploma

Most common qualification for high school leavers aged around 18

Advanced Placement - a series of externally-assessed subject-based tests held to be equivalent to A level or the IBDP

SAT

Standardised Assessment Tests - a series of assessments taken for university entry in the US. Scored out of 1,600

ACT

American College Testing - an alternative set of standardised tests accepted by US universities. Scored out of 36

NEASC

New England Association of Schools and Colleges - one of several boards accrediting American schools

CIS

Council of International Schools - an accreditation agency for international schools