What happens after AIH?

Subject choices will definitely influence future education choices. Therefore, it is important to know the general direction for future education and also what the entry requirements of universities are. 

After learners receive their IGCSE qualifications, they need to continue their A-Levels before they can enter universities. Experience shows that, generally, universities ask for three A-Level subjects and three different IGCSE subjects with grades higher than a C or 4. To enter A levels, learners must have at least a C grade or better, including English and Mathematics. 

Although learners are free to choose the number of subjects they would like to study, the minimum should be at least six. Usually, learners take between six and ten subjects. That gives a wide range of knowledge, skills and personal development through the content of the subjects and discussions during learning. Learners can specialize themselves through the A level subjects they wish to study. 

Subject information

IGCSE examinations are in May/June but also in October/November and in March (India only). When you know which exam sitting is the most appropriate for you, then it is a matter of counting backwards to know when to start with AIH. AIH starts twice a year: August/September and January/February. When learners start in August, then they will be ready for the May/June sitting and when they start in January learners will be ready for the October/November sitting. 

Subjects are divided into 52 learning weeks, spread over 18 months. At this time, learners will complete most of the syllabus in ‘Year 10’ and the remaining part, plus the examination practice is in ‘Year 11’. The total time learners will have to dedicate per subject is about 150 hours, which is about 3 hours per week. Note, that this is an approximation and that it might be different for each individual learner. Some learners will be faster in some subjects and slower in others. 

Exam and preparation

Learners learn from their coursebooks through making notes, answering questions and discussions with peers and teachers most of the time. In the later stages of the subjects, several past papers are required to do. These past papers are marked as if they were real exams. Teachers will give feedback and suggest sections of the coursebook that may need more revision. 

After completing several past papers, which happens after learning week 43, learners should be well prepared for their exams. 

The exams are taken at official Cambridge examination centres in your own country. Cambridge has an extensive network of exam centres all around the globe. We provide assistance in locating the nearest centre to your location. Learners will go there as private candidates and it is the responsibility of the parents and learners to be well informed about the specific requirements, examination dates and times and examination fees. 

Examination papers are sent to Cambridge where they will be marked by examiners. Once the results are out, they will be published on Cambridge’s website and learners will receive their qualifications by post at home.