INFORMATION SHEET ON BLOCK E SUBJECTS

1. ENGLISH GENERAL PAPER (EGP) 8021 (AS level)

The Cambridge International AS Level English General Paper- 8021 is an engaging and challenging course which has been introduced with a revised syllabus for the examinations to be held from 2019-2022. The course aims to develop a set of transferable skills which include writing English coherently and persuasively, developing comprehension, and analysing and constructing arguments. 

The two examination papers for the subject are outlined below.

Paper 1: Essay (30 marks)

Candidates attempt one essay from a range of ten topics mostly based on current affairs from three broad categories, namely: Social Economic Political, Science, Arts and Culture. Candidates are expected to have read extensively to adequately support their line of reasoning with local and global examples. The essay is 600-700 words in length. The weightage for this component is 50%.

Paper 2: Comprehension (50 marks-25 marks for each section)

This component is comprehension based.  It has two sections, both comprehensions. One tests logical reasoning and problem-solving, and the other tests the candidate’s understanding and command over the English Language and the nuances of expression that exist within it.

Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level English General Paper take Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same series. The examinations are assessed externally.

2. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES RESEARCH PAPER (GPR) 9239 (AS-level)

GPR is the ideal course for students who want to engage in discourse about global issues facing the world today. It is an engaging yet rigorous subject that enables students to hone their public speaking, critical evaluation and research skills while participating in lively discussion and debate in the classroom.

Through this course, learners will develop research skills that will enable them to obtain information, evaluate its reliability and usefulness and use the evidence gathered to construct their own arguments and lines of reasoning. Students engage both collaboratively and independently on presentations and research projects.  In short, this course encourages the development within young people of global competency – the ability to define a global problem, reflect and take action. This course prepares students well for the academic rigour of university. 64% of the Cambridge International course grade is determined through coursework, and 36% through an exam.

The 3 components of AS-Level Global Perspectives & Research are given below:

Component 1:  Written Examination (36%) Candidates answer structured questions based on 2 source documents. Candidates analyse and evaluate arguments, interrogate evidence and compare perspectives on global issues.

Component 2: Essay (32%) Candidates select a global issue of their own choice and explore different perspectives relating to that issue. They then write an essay based on their research. The essay is 1750 to 2000 words in length.

Component 3: Team Project (32%) Candidates work in teams to identify a local problem which has global relevance. Teams work together to agree on a set of proposed team solutions to the problem. Then, each candidate presents a ten-minute presentation of their individual research and proposed solutions to the problem. Each candidate is assessed individually.

All 3 components are externally assessed by Cambridge International.

3. CODING (Information Technology Specialist, ITS-303)

Coding is the process of using a programming language to get a computer to behave how you want it to. The programming language that will be used, is Python: a widely supported language which is web-centric. It teaches programming principles and is considered to be easy to learn for high-school students.

At the end of two years, students sit for the Information Technology Specialist, ITS-303 certification exam. ITS-303 certifications address a wide spectrum of fundamental technical concepts, assess and validate core technical knowledge, and enhance technical credibility.  ITS-303 is in Python Programming language. This is an entry-level certification exam, recognized around the globe. This certificate authenticates students’ coding skills and will give them an opportunity to use their programming skills in the courses chosen at university. Students will be able to recognize and write syntactically correct Python code, recognize data types supported by Python, and be able to recognize and write code that will logically solve a given problem.

Please note, that CODING is not a Cambridge subject. The ITS-303 certification exam is an online examination conducted by authorized test centers in Pakistan.  The exam duration is 45 minutes consisting of 40 Multiple Choice Questions. The passing percentage is 70%. This means if you score 70% or more you clear the certification exam. No prior programming knowledge is required for CODING.

4. CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT QUALIFICATION (CIPQ) 9980

The IPQ is an opportunity to do a project in a subject area in which you are interested. It provides a context for developing critical thinking and project management skills – these are widely transferable and may be useful in other courses, now or later on. The IPQ assesses your ability to plan, carry out, report on and evaluate a research question. If you are not doing GPR, but are interested in doing a research-focused qualification to add depth and value to your studies, then the Cambridge IPQ would be an excellent fit.

There are five key principles which make the IPQ special:

1. 1. It requires independent research and learning to extend your studies
   2. You must choose your path of study in negotiation with your Supervisor

• • You have to show that you can plan, deliver and present your project work.

1. 1. There is some teaching of necessary skills involved, but the majority of your learning will require your own self-motivation and strong organizational skills.
   2. Your work will be monitored and ‘mentored’ by a Project Supervisor on a weekly basis.

The IPQ will develop your independent research and study skills. You will learn how to carry out research effectively, and as you study something in more depth your personal learning and thinking skills will improve. Completing the IPQ will help you develop your own organizational, project management and independent learning skills. These skills will help you become a more confident student in other areas of study.

5. THINKING SKILLS 9694 (AS-level)

For Thinking Skills, students are required to take two modules: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving. In Critical Thinking, students are taught how to construct and deconstruct arguments; assess the credibility of sources; identify assumptions within an argument; spot weaknesses within the evidence; strengthen and weaken arguments; spot formal and informal fallacies. While some of the same skills are developed in problem-solving, a major focus of the problem-solving curriculum is to help students develop flexible strategies in order to help them find logical solutions to real-life problems through the application of basic math. More specifically, the problem-solving module through the application of real-life problems builds one’s analytical, spatial, logical and parallel reasoning skills. Socratic and scientific methods are routinely employed across both modules in order to explore controversial issues and complex problems. Overall, Thinking Skills develop skills that enhance employability, helps score well on standardized tests (like the SAT, LNAT, TSA, LSAT, GMAT and GRE) and builds a foundation in STEM subjects. At the end of two years, students will take the following exams:

Paper 1.       Critical Thinking, Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes, Marks: 50

Paper 2.      Problem Solving, Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, Marks: 50

Both papers are assessed externally.

6. URDU 9686 (A-level)

Cambridge International AS and A Level Urdu 9686 prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning about Urdu language/literature, their rich socio-historical themes and several genres such as Short Story, Drama, Novels and Poetry: Nazms and Ghazals as well as Writing Skills: Compositions and Comprehension. Karachi Grammar School offers exams for syllabus 9686 in the June Series only.

The AS & A level Urdu helps students develop abilities which universities value highly, including a deep understanding of their subject, higher order thinking skills, analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, presenting ordered and coherent arguments, independent learning and research.

Student will sit for three papers at the end of two years details of which are given below:

In Pakistan, Public and Private Sector Universities offer Undergraduate to PhD level Urdu Studies program which enables students to seek professions in the Media industry, Teaching and Research. Moreover, many renowned international universities offer various programs for Urdu studies such as the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, The Berkeley Urdu Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Asian Languages and Literatures, University of Washington, Hindi-Urdu program, Columbia University, Urdu Department, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, etc.

7. DRAMA 9482 (AS-level)

This rigorous, immersive course provides opportunities for learners to delve into the ever-changing world of dramatic expression and develop their skills as theatrical practitioners, engaging with performance texts in practical and creative ways. It fosters engagement with, and enjoyment of, the study of a wide range of theatrical styles and genres, encouraging exploration and discourse on the historical tapestry of theatre, the nuances of stagecraft, and the intricacies of theatrical production. 

AS Level Drama is divided into two components:

Component 1 

This is a written, open-book Exam of 60 marks that constitutes 50% of their grade. In this component, students learn to explore play extracts in detail and to justify their ideas, while taking into account the relationship of the extract to the play as a whole. 

Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A which constitutes texts originally written in English,  and one question from Section B which includes a wide range of world theatre and from different historical periods, including some plays in translation into English.

Component 2

The focus of this component is on developing the practical skills of devising and performing, and constitutes 50% of their AS Level.  All candidates must submit two parts: a 10-15 minute devised piece and a 10-25 minute scripted performance. Students are expected to work in groups and individually on their devised and performed pieces. 

Devised piece 

Candidates work in a group to devise a piece of drama that is performed to a live audience.  They learn to research and explore a stimulus for its dramatic possibilities, as well as explore its structure and dramatic effectiveness, and create and communicate a role. Candidates in each group also learn to build a sense of ensemble in the performance of their devised piece.

By the end of this course, learners are expected to become skilled, well-informed, reflective practitioners, able to research ideas and create and interpret meaning through drama.

Scripted performance 

Candidates work in a group to perform a piece of scripted drama to a live audience. They learn vocal and physical skills, characterisation appropriate to the genre and style of the piece, how to pace their performance of the extract, and how to develop a sense of audience.

Both performances are internally assessed and externally moderated by the CAIE.

8. Language and Literature 8695 (AS-level)

Students often say that they want to pursue the study of Literature for the sheer joy it brings them, but they have to be more pragmatic in their choice of A level electives. Therefore, Cambridge International AS Language and Literature in English (8695) is an exciting opportunity for students to study Language and Literature at A levels without having to sacrifice their other electives.

In studying for the Language component, learners will be able to practise sustained, accurate, fluent, and consistent writing to produce informed responses, appropriate to the specific genre. Learners will study two texts in preparation for the Literature component to further develop their skills of analysis, interpretation, and personal response.

These are highly transferable skills and can help learners in other subject areas, as well as equipping them for higher education and employment.

Assessment overview