Cambridge international exam to march on Indian schedule

Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is molding its schedule according to the Indian academic calendar. The board will be conducting the International A-level exams (pre-university) in March in India and neighboring countries. The scene was quite different earlier, the international series of exams were conducted in June and November which resulted in many students missing out on the undergraduate admission in various Indian institutions.

According to the chief executive of CIE, Michael O'Sullivan "the new exam schedule will be applicable from 2014. In case some schools of India still want to continue with the international series of exams in June and November, they can do so as these exams will also be conducted in India. But the results of the March exams will be announced sometime in May as per the admission calendar of Indian institutions so that CIE students don't miss time."

After this decision, 27 Indian schools have sought affiliation to CIE (in the past 10 weeks). "There has been significant increase in interest in CIE as the exam will be conducted in March a well."

"At present, 337 schools are affiliated to CIE in India. From 2014, CIE is also introducing media studies course in A-level in India and Cambridge Primary Mathematics, prepared in collaboration with Cambridge University," stated Sullivan.

He added further "our education system will benefit by the presence of multiple examination conducting bodies- Central Board of Secondary Education, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, international bodies like CIE and IB and other state education boards. Competition will drive innovation and efficiency. There will be a lot of change happening in the education sphere in India and globally."