Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U is a new UK qualification from University of Cambridge International Examinations that is an alternative to the current A Level qualification, which is considered by some to have become devalued. It is a diploma-type qualification, principally aimed at students aged 16–19, and has recognition for university entrance.

Many UK state-maintained and independent schools are offering or planning to offer the examination, which is considered better preparation for University than the A Level..

The Pre-U was launched in September 2008, for first assessment June 2010. Independent schools such as Downe House School , Westminster School, Charterhouse, Oundle School, Dulwich College, Winchester College, Shrewsbury School, Rugby School and Eton College have replaced A-Levels with Cambridge Pre-Us in some subjects. They are joined by grammar and comprehensive schools, and sixth-form colleges including Wimbledon College, Coloma Convent Girls' School, King Edward VI School, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Simon Langton Boy's school and Lancaster Royal Grammar School.

The Cambridge Pre-U is not modular like A levels, nor does it have any compulsory principal subjects as the International Baccalaureate does : students have a free choice of three such "Principal Subjects" out of 26. Additional subjects may be taken, though not incorporated into the Diploma. There are also 'short courses', consisting of one year's study, available in the Modern Foreign Languages. However, an "Independent Research Project" and a "Global Perspectives" portfolio must both be completed in addition to the three "Principal Subjects" for the award of the full Pre-U Diploma.

Principal Subjects

• Art and Design
• Biology
• Business and Management
• Chemistry
• Classical Heritage
• Comparative Government and Politics
• Economics
• English
• Further Mathematics
• Geography
• Classical Greek
• History
• History of Art
• Latin
• Mandarin Chinese
• Mathematics
• Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish)
• Music
• Philosophy and Theology
• Physics
• Psychology
• Sports Science

In development:

• Design & Technology
• Theatre Studies

Grading

In the Pre-U, each Principal Subject is graded on a three-band, six-grade scale:

Band	Grade	A-level equivalence
Distinction	D1	Extends beyond A-level "A*"
	D2	Equivalent to A-level "A*"
	D3	Equivalent to A-level "A"
Merit	M1
	M2
	M3
Pass	P1
	P2
	P3	Benchmarked at "E" grade

The full Pre-U Diploma is graded on the aggregate of the three Principal Subjects, the Independent Research Project, and the Global Perspectives portfolio. The two together (GPR) can also be taken as a separate subject. The Independent Research Project and the Global Perspectives portfolio are each worth exactly half of a Principal Subject; thus, their aggregate forms the equivalent of another Principal Subject. The Pre-U Diploma is graded out of 96 overall; each Principal Subject is graded out of 24, and both Global Perspectives and the Independent Research Report are graded out of 12 each. Some schools will do a mix of A-levels and Pre-U Principal Subjects. With such a mix it is still possible to earn a Pre-U Diploma .

Contribution of each component to the Diploma score

Band	Grade	Principal Subjects	Independent Research Report	Global Perspectives
Distinction	D1	24	12	12
	D2	22	11	11
	D3	20	10	10
Merit	M1	18	9	9
	M2	16	8	8
	M3	14	7	7
Pass	P1	12	6	6
	P2	10	5	5
	P3	8	4	4

UCAS tariff

The Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) has awarded a tariff score for Cambridge Pre-U which reflects the HE view of the qualification as very good preparation for university study. Using UCAS tariff scores as a benchmark, universities will be able to compare Cambridge Pre-U and A Level grades .

Unlike A Levels, the Cambridge Pre-U grading scale is divided into three bands: Distinction, Merit and Pass, each sub-divided into three grades (Distinction 1, Distinction 2, Distinction 3 and so on). The top grade, Distinction 1, reports achievement above the new A Level A* grade; Distinction 2 is aligned to the A* at A Level, and Distinction 3 is aligned to the current Grade A. The lowest pass grade, Pass 3, is aligned to the border between E and U at A Level.

UCAS has recommended that Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects will be awarded 130 points for Distinction 3 and that a Pass 3 is worth 45 points. The tariff points awarded reflect the HE view that Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects are bigger than A Levels and have a higher degree of ‘criticality’ because of their linear structure. The tariff for exceptional candidates who achieve a Distinction 1 pass will be announced after the first Cambridge Pre-U examination entries have been assessed in 2010 .

UCAS has given the Global Perspectives and Research component a slightly different tariff than for a single Principal Subject: 140 for a Distinction 2, 42 for a Pass 3; again, the Distinction 1 is to be confirmed. The 'short course' subjects have a separate tariff score too: 60 for a Distinction 3, 20 for a Pass 3; both Distinction 1 and Distinction 2 have yet to be confirmed .

External links

• Cambridge Pre-U official site
• Cambridge Pre-U twitter page
• First Pre-U textbook (in chemistry) [1]