The IGCSE provides a foundation for higher level courses such as the North American Advanced Placement Test (APT), the International Baccalaureate (IB), GCE A Levels and the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE). At Rato Bangala School the GCE A Level and the AICE programmes follow the IGCSE examination.

IGCSE at Rato Bangala School
The students at Rato Bangala begin the IGCSE course at the beginning of Grade IX. For two years, in Grades IX and X, the students prepare for a dual degree, the SLC as well as the IGCSE. The SLC examinations are held in April and the IGCSE examinations in November of the same year.

The aims of the IGCSE are:
To support modern curriculum development;
To promote international understanding;
To encourage good teaching practice;
To set widely recognised standards.

The IGCSE curriculum includes the following syllabuses in the five subject groups:

To successfully complete the IGCSE course, candidates must pass in at least seven subjects, including two from IGCSE Syllabus Group I and one each from Groups II through V. The seventh subject may be chosen from any of the syllabus groups. At Rato Bangala we require students to take eight subjects.

Based on their results, the candidates who sit for the IGCSE examinations are placed in one of the following three categories:
Distinction Grade A or better in five subjects and Grade C or better in two subjects Merit Grade C or better in five subjects and Grade F or better in two subjects Pass Grade G or better in seven subjects

Excellent IGCSE and AICE Results
Rato Bangala students have been taking IGCSE exams since 1999 and the results have been excellent. Of the 13 students who sat for the IGCSE examinations in 1999, nine got distinction and four got merit. In 2000, 16 took the IGCSE examinations of which 12 got distinction and four got merit. In 2001 of the 18 students 12 got distinction and six got merit. In 2002, 16 students took the examinations and 12 got distinction and four merit.

The first batch of Rato Bangala students sat for their A Level examinations in November 2001, and their results were excellent with five getting distinction. The Class of 2002 took A level examinations in November 2002 and their results too were very good.

The Bridge Course
Rato Bangala School works with capable students who have completed their SLC from other institutions examinations, and prepares them to take IGCSE examinations in English Language, Mathematics and Coordinated Sciences. These students join Rato Bangala School in May, in a preparatory course called the "Bridge Course" and sit for examinations in November. The course enables them to join the A Level course in the following February.

The Liberal Studies Programme
As part of Rato Bangala’s commitment to provide a broad-based educational experience to its students, the Bridge Course curriculum includes a compulsory liberal studies component. This programme offers a series of modules that aim to widen the students’ understanding of matters that lie beyond the requirements of the syllabus. Liberal Studies incorporates the fields of media, political science, literature, art and craft, philosophy and religion, and Nepali studies. Many modules offer the opportunity to do independent research and fieldwork, and to learn from visiting scholars.

AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A Level (Advanced Level) at Rato Bangala School

The University of Cambridge A Levels (Advanced Levels) is an advanced international degree that has been designed for academically able students, with courses that will prepare them for honours degree programmes. A Levels are the most widely used qualification for entry to British universities and are widely accepted by universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A Levels also provide appropriate preparation for entry to Nepali and Indian institutions of higher education.

The structure of the A Level course allows considerable flexibility in designing a stimulating programme of study. Students have the option of choosing from A Level courses or AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Level courses in order to fulfill the A Level requirements. An A Level subject is equivalent to two credits and AS Level equivalent to one credit. Students can work towards an A level degree with three A Level courses or two A Level courses and two AS Level courses. Students can also work towards and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) degree with six AS Level courses or four AS Level courses and one A Level course. While the A Level programme focuses on fewer subjects more rigorously, the AICE course is a more broad-based. The AICE programme carries academic equivalence to a benchmark performance indicated by the study of three A Levels. Rato Bangala encourages students to work towards an AICE degree since it is more broad-based and many universities abroad prefer this.

Subject Options for A Level degree
Rato Bangala offers the following subjects at the AS and A Levels.
Group I Group II Group III
Biology (AS and A) Chemistry (AS and A) Physics (AS and A) Mathematics (AS and A) Psychology (AS only) Environment Science (AS only) English Language (AS only) Art and Design (AS only) Economics (AS only) Geography (AS only) Psychology(AS only) Sociology (AS only) English Literature (AS only)

Students working towards an A Level degree can take three A Level courses or two A Level courses and any two AS Level courses. Students working towards an AICE degree must take at least one subject from each of the three groups.

Features of A Levels
The subject content of the A Level syllabuses has been subdivided into two parts. The first part is taught in the first year of the course and forms the basis of the AS Level qualification. Completion of the second part in the following year leads to A Levels. This flexible approach enables students to choose between three main options:

i) Take all A Level components in the same examination session at the end of the course of study, i.e., at the end of the second year.

ii) Follow a staged assessment to A Level by taking the AS Level qualification in examinations at the end of the first year, and the final part of assessment in examinations at the end of the second year.

iii) Take the AS Level qualification only for the AICE degree. AS Level examination in Mathematics, English Language and Environment Science must be taken at the end of the first year and in all other subjects at the end of the second year.

A Level and AS Level examinations use a variety of assessment techniques. However, particular emphasis is placed on the use of externally-marked examination papers, which require a high level of academic competence, and reward the ability to organise knowledge and ideas in producing reasoned written answers. Other features of the A Level course are:
t compulsory practical work in the science subjects
t opportunity for individual research in several subjects

AS and A Levels are based on a practical curriculum that seeks to enable students to cope successfully with the demands of higher education. Courses are designed to encourage students to develop an independent approach to their work. The curriculum also encourages:
t he development of practical thinking skills based on oral communication and knowledge acquisition
t an active approach to learning
t the use of initiative and creativity in problem-solving
t the application of skills and understanding
t the ability to undertake individual research and to work as part of a team

This skills-based approach aims to provide a positive educational experience for students and teachers.

At Rato Bangala School
A Level students are expected to spend the day at Rato Bangala School. The time in between the classes will be spent doing individual work and research. Students are also required to take part in sports and community service activities organised by the School. Community service is a compulsory component of the A Level programme at Rato Bangala. Students need to log in 70 hours of community service over the two-year period.

Who is Eligible for the A Level Course?
There is no pre-requisite degree for students to be eligible to sit for the A Level course. This is why Rato Bangala School is offering this degree to students who will have only done SLC. Students who have completed the GCE O Level or IGCSE in other schools are, of course, also eligible. The main requirement is that students be academically able to do the course. Rato Bangala uses a comprehensive evaluation examination to assemble a highly motivated class.

When Does the Course Begin?
At Rato Bangala, the two-year A Level course of study. However, those who have taken only the SLC course are requested to contact the School Office as soon as possible since they will have to sit for an evaluation exam. Those selected on the basis of this evaluation will be eligible for a six-month preparation course - the Bridge Course - starting at the end of May. This preparation course is necessary because it will be difficult to make a transition from the SLC curriculum to the A Level curriculum. Those who have done the GCE O Level or the IGCSE will be required to take the evaluation exam but not the preparation course.

Tuition & Fees
Admission fees: Rs. 20,000
Security Deposit: Rs. 25,000
Monthly fees (payable for 24 months): Rs. 7,500 per month (An additional Rs. 1,000 per month will be charged as laboratory fees to those taking three science subjects.)

For more information call: 5522614, 5534318, 5542045. Or write to: rbs@mos.com.np