Will studying A levels after IGCSE in India help in cracking Indian entrance exams?

Well, this is one question that hounds the minds of several ambitious parents who want the best for their wards right after Grade 10. The transition from IGCSE to A LEVELS may seem like the road not to be taken if the candidate is aiming at cracking Indian entrance exams. And that’s a well-established yet obsolete myth that must be busted!

A well-designed curriculum, active participation of the students, and perseverant application of analytical and evaluative skills are some of the most essential ingredients of any sharp-edged educational system. An international school serves these salient ingredients all beautifully amalgamated, to provide students with an all-encompassing yet challenging opportunity to identify, tap, hone and further whet their skills to emerge as future winners of the world.

Indian entrance exams can undoubtedly be competitive. But the A levels curriculum is designed with such accuracy and formal rigour that students are prepared for the challenges of speed, aptitude, and application that are required to crack the Indian entrance exams with flying colours.

The three focal point approach of the A levels curriculum is testimony enough:

1) The Spiral Approach and Bloom’s Taxonomy

The most acclaimed international schools that offer A LEVELS follow the spiral approach, formally introduced by Jerome Bruner, a constructivist theorist. In very layman language, the A level curriculum is a strong proponent of this theory that relies absolutely on the concept of scaffolding. Through this approach, the student revisits a topic, theme, or subject, and the complexity of the topic increases and intensifies with every revisit, and by the end of which the new learning has a deep-rooted relationship with the old learning. Through this methodical yet exigent approach, concepts, new and old alike, are so well-entrenched in the students that their befitting application during school exams or even entrance exams becomes faultless.

Yet another motion that works hand in glove with the A Level module is the much acclaimed and incorporated Bloom’s Taxonomy proposed by Benjamin, a revered educational psychologist. This educational program is a classification of the different objectives and skills that educators set for their students. A powerful tool, Bloom’s Taxonomy is a hierarchical model that categorizes learning objectives into varying levels of complexity, from basic knowledge and comprehension to advanced evaluation and creation. Comprising three learning domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor, and within each domain, learning can take place at a number of levels ranging from simple to complex, students studying the A LEVEL program are adequately equipped with the skillset mandatory for cracking Indian entrance exams.



2) Exams, Exams, Exams!

A level students are amply prepared to face the thoroughness of writing course related exams from very nascent stages. Indeed, this makes them pioneers at matching their speed, aptitude, and knowledge to complete their exams within the stipulated time frame. At the end of AS (ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY) Level, students take on the rigour of appearing for exams in their chosen subjects, which again is advantageous as top A Level schools offer a myriad option of 55 subjects to choose from. If the candidate is certain of his/her academic path forward, the choice of subjects at A level bestows the freedom to choose specific subjects and then specialize in them. This smart marriage of choice and specialization works in astounding favour of students as their foresight will facilitate the easy breakthrough during Indian entrance exams. Prudent preparation for the future at A levels expedites the process of preparing for the much competitive Indian entrance exams. Voila! half the battle is won right there.

3) Attributes that shape the learner’s persona

What are the learning habits students need to be successful in school, higher education, the workplace, and life in general?

Learners at A levels are charged and fired to take on the world. They’ve been groomed and moulded into confident, responsible, and innovative young adults, for whom the future is their canvas that they can paint on in colours and hues that complement their passion, skills, abilities, and intellect. What makes A level learners so distinctive? They welcome new challenges and meet them resourcefully, creatively, and imaginatively. They are capable of applying their knowledge and understanding to solve new and unfamiliar problems. They can adapt flexibly to new situations requiring new ways of thinking. Top A level schools furnish nubile, responsible adults who take completed ownership of their learning, set targets, and insist on intellectual integrity. Their collaborative and supportive disposition enables them to understand that their actions have impacts on others and on the environment and appreciate the importance of culture, context, and community. Such attributes are a treasure and A Level students who are nurtured to imbibe these lifelong elemental characteristics are duly equipped for whatever challenge comes their way!

Also read,
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/the-a-level-way-drink-deep-or-taste-not-the-pierian-spring-alexandar-pope

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