A level vs F.sc.

1. A Level or F.Sc. ?
The Big Question

2. Orientation Session
Outgoing O - Level Students

3. Contents
 F.Sc. Vs. A Level
 Areas of differentiation
 Making the right choice
 Recognition in Pakistan
 Medical and Engineering education in Pakistan
 University Recognition in Pakistan

4. Contents
 Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering






Sciences and Technology
National University of Science and Technology
King Edward Medical University
Lahore University of Management Sciences
National College of Arts
MCAT Test
Conclusion

5. F.Sc. Versus A Level
F.Sc.
A Level
 BISE, (any board in Pakistan)
 University of Cambridge
 Student needs to study 3
 Student needs to study 7






subjects
Two exams (1st Year/ 2nd Year)
Testing of memorization
(knowledge testing only)
Questionable examination
environment
Questionable Paper Checking
standard
URDU (Students take 2nd
Language in O Level)
Cost effective





subjects
Two exams (AS Level / A
Level)
Testing on the basis of
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Satisfactory Examination
environment
Satisfactory paper
Checking standard
Costly option

6. Original Terms
New Terms
 Evaluation
•Creating
 Synthesis
•Evaluating
 Analysis
 Application
•Analysing
 Comprehension
•Applying
 Knowledge
•Understanding
•Remembering

7. BLOOM‟S REVISED TAXONOMY
Creating
Generating new ideas, products, or ways of viewing things
Designing, constructing, planning, producing, inventing.
Evaluating
Justifying a decision or course of action
Checking, hypothesising, critiquing, experimenting, judging
Analysing
Breaking information into parts to explore understandings and relationships
Comparing, organising, deconstructing, interrogating, finding
Applying
Using information in another familiar situation
Implementing, carrying out, using, executing
Understanding
Explaining ideas or concepts
Interpreting, summarising, paraphrasing, classifying, explaining
Remembering
Recalling information
Recognising, listing, describing, retrieving, naming, finding

8. Making the right chioce
 Cambridge international qualifications are a
passport to success – in education, university
and work.
 A Cambridge International Education is designed
for international students. Content is multicultural
and a wide range of subjects is available –
including many country specific courses.

9. Making the right chioce
 Choosing a course of study is one of the most
important decisions a student will make.
 It is essential to check that qualifications are
widely accepted and valued by further
education
institutes,
universities
and
employers.
 Choosing Cambridge international qualifications
opens up a world of opportunity - helping you get
a place at your chosen university, or proving your
achievements to your future employer.

10. Recognition in Pakistan
 Universities in countries around the world,
including Pakistan, recognize and welcome
Cambridge international qualifications.
 The government of Pakistan recognizes
Cambridge qualifications and provides
equivalence to the local system of education in
order to ensure smooth progression for students
who choose to pursue their education in Pakistan.
 The government body responsible for issuing
equivalence conversion is the Inter Board
Committee of Chairmen (IBCC).

11. Recognition in Pakistan
 O Levels and IGCSE qualifications are equated to
the local Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and
A Levels to the Higher Secondary School
Certificate (HSSC).
 To qualify for equivalence at the HSS level, IBCC
has given a list of compulsory and elective
subjects that must be studied at both O Level,
IGCSE and A Level. You will find this at
www.ibcc.edu.pk

12. SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS FOR
EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES
Groups
Subjects
Compulsory
Science
Groups
Elective
Subjects
Compulsory Elective
PreMathematics Physics
Urdu
Medical
Chemistry
PakStudies
Urdu
&
Islamiyat
PakBiology /
Studies
English
Computer
Islamiyat &
Science
English
PreEngine
ering
Urdu
PakStudies
Islamiyat
English
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematic
s Physics
Chemistry

13. SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS FOR
EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES
General Science And
Two Subjects from the
following:
Mathematics
General
Urdu
Pak-Studies
Islamiyat &
English
1.Economics
2.Civics 3.Physiology
and Hygiene
4.Geometrical
and Technical
5.Arts and
Model
Drawing 6.Environmental
Studies
7.Islamic
Studies
or Islamic 8.History of
Indo-Pak
Sub-Continent 9.Arabic
10.Persian
11.Food and
Nutrition 12.Related Arts
13.Household
Accounts &
Related
Problems 14.Computer
Science
OR
One subject from above list
and one Technical subject
Any of the following
Combinations:
General Science
Urdu
Pak-Studies
Islamiyat
English
1.Physics,
Mathematics,
Statistics 2.Mathematics,
Statistics,
Economics 3.Economics,
Mathematics,
Computer
Science
4.Physics, Mathematics,
Computer
Science 5.Mathematics,
Statistics,
Computer
Science

14. SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS FOR
EQUIVALENCE OF CERTIFICATES
Select one set of three
subjects from
the following:
Technical Group
Urdu
Pak-Studies
English
Islamiyat
1.Mathematics
2.General
Science
And
Two Technical
subjects
Humanities
Urdu
Pak-Studies
Islamiyat
English
1.Mathematics
2.Economics
3.History
4.Islamic Studies
5.Library Science
6.Statistics
7.Health &
Physical
Education
8. Persian
9.Psychology
10.Home
Economics
11.Geography
12.Civics
13.Urdu Advance
14.Arabic
15.English
Literature
Computer Science
may be offered in any
combination of three
subjects

15. GCE O Level, GCSE and IGCSE
 GCE O Level, GCSE and IGCSE are considered
equivalent to Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
subject to meeting the following requirements:
 Pakistan based examinations (local exam): Eight
subjects including English, Urdu, Islamiyat,
Pakistan Studies, Mathematics and three
electives.

16. GCE O Level, GCSE and IGCSE
 To qualify for Science Group it is necessary to
pass Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer
Studies or Information and Communication
Technology (ICT).
 Students who do not qualify for the Science
Group will be placed in the General or Humanities
Group.

17. GCE O Level, GCSE and IGCSE
 Students with a qualification in Computer Studies
or ICT in place of Biology will be granted
Science Group equivalence but will not be
granted equivalence to HSSC (Pre-Medical
Group), even if Physics, Chemistry and Biology
subjects are passed at A Level.

18. GCE A Levels
 GCE O and A Level are considered equivalent to
Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)
subject to meeting the specified requirements for
various groups:
 Pre-Medical Group: Eight O Level subjects
(including English, Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakistan
Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and
Biology) and three A Levels (Physics, Chemistry
and Biology) with minimum E Grade.

19. GCE A Levels
 Pre-Engineering Group: Eight O Level subjects
(including English, Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakistan
Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and
Biology or Computer Studies or ICT) and three A
Level subjects (Physics, Chemistry and
Mathematics) with minimum E Grade.

20. GCE A Levels
 General Science Group: Eight O Level subjects
and three A Level subjects are required to qualify
for the general science group. There are five
possible combinations, details are available on
the IBCC website, www.ibcc.edu.pk.

21. GCE A Levels
 Please note that students taking these
combinations will not be eligible for admission into
Engineering and Medical Colleges.
 Humanities Group: Eight O Level subjects
including English with three A Level subjects (not
eligible for admission into Engineering and
Medical Colleges).

22. Conversion of grades
IGCSE and GCE O Level
Grades
IBCC Marks
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
90
85
75
65
55
45
40
35

23. Worked Example of Conversion
Subject
Grades
IBCC Marks
English
Language
Urdu
A*
90
A
85
Islamiyat
B
75
Pak. Studies
B
75
Physics
A
85
Chemistry
A
85
Biology
C
65
Mathematics
D
55
615
Total

24. Worked Example of Conversion
615 x 900 / 800 = 691

25. For Pre-Medical/Pre-Engineering
Group
GCE O Level
GCE O Level
Subjects
A LEVEL
Grade
IBCC
Marks
GCE A Level
Subjects
Grade
IBCC
Marks
English Language
A*
90
Physics
A
85
Urdu
A
85
Chemistry
A*
90
Islamiyat
B
75
Biology / Math
B
75
Pak. Studies
B
75
Physics
A*
90
Chemistry
B
75
Biology
A
85
Mathematics
B
75
Total
650
Total
250
(650+250) =900
900 x
1100 /1100= 900

26. Medical and engineering
education in Pakistan
 Admissions
to medical and engineering
universities nationwide are broadly regulated by
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and
Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).

27. Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
(PMDC)
 Entry requirements overview
 PMDC sets the basic requirements for entry into
medical colleges. These are as follows:
 At least 60% marks in HSSC or equivalent in the
case of O and A Levels.
 Evidence of this is through the IBCC equivalence
certificate At least 40% weighting should be given
to the results of admission tests.
 Provincial bodies and private medical colleges then
set the criteria for their own test and exams, using
the above guidelines. For details, please visit
www.pmdc.org.pk

28. Message from the Registrar of
PMDC
“We find Cambridge qualified students do
really well in medicine; they have all the
desired skills and knowledge to take up
higher education in medicine and we would
like to encourage Cambridge qualified
students to join Pakistani medical colleges.”

29. Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)
 PEC sets the basic requirements for engineering
education in the country.
 Students must pass O and A Level examinations in
qualifying subjects; in addition, they must pass an
entrance test conducted by the respective institution
or university.
 For details, please visit www.pec.org.pk

30. University recognition
in Pakistan
 Many different universities in Pakistan recognise
Cambridge international qualifications. Examples
of recognition from some well known Pakistani
institutions are on the following slides.

31. King Edward Medical University
 Entry requirements
 Students need to take equivalence from IBCC; if
they have 60 % marks or more, they are eligible to
sit for the entry test which is written and
administered by the University of Health Sciences
(UHS).
 The weighting of entry test results and marks is
determined by UHS. After combining the results of
the two components a merit list is formed for all
Punjab medical colleges and students are allocated
to colleges according to their ratings.

32. King Edward Medical University
 Skills required for becoming a good doctor
 In addition to being academically strong and having a




clear grasp of medical concepts
doctors need to have good communication skills
a very high level of contextual and cultural sensitivity.
They must remember that patients come from various
backgrounds and their situation is always unique.
In many cases they may be undergoing significant
suffering. In dealing with such people, a doctor‟s
expertise, ethics, values and communication skills all
play a part in the dynamics of a hospital or clinic.

33. Message from the Vice Chancellor,
King Edward Medical University
 We receive more than 250 students
every year at this historical and
most prestigious medical university
of Pakistan. Students who join the
university after doing their A Levels
generally do very well, they are very
confident with good productive
ideas.

34. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering
Sciences and Technology (GIKI)
 Skills required
 The knowledge, skills and competencies needed to
succeed in various BS (Engineering) programs
offered at GIK Institute are as follows:
 Adequate knowledge of high school level Mathematics and





Physics
Well developed communications skills in English language
Self-motivation and self-discipline
Analytical skills
Ability to adapt to independent living
Ability to sustain motivation and commitment over an entire
16 week semester

35. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering
Sciences and Technology (GIKI)
 Entry requirements
 Admission and allocation to different faculties is
based on performance in the admission test and
the different preferences of individual applicants.
However, to be eligible for admission, applicants
must have three A Levels (Physics, Mathematics
and Chemistry with Grade D or higher in
Mathematics and Physics) and seven O Levels.
 Those having studied Computing in lieu of
Chemistry at A Level can apply only for Computer
Systems

36. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering
Sciences and Technology (GIKI)
 Entry requirements
 Those having studied Computing in lieu of
Chemistry at A Level can apply only for Computer
Systems Engineering and Computer Software
Engineering. Students awaiting their examination
results can apply but confirmation of admission
will be subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria.

37. Message from the Rector, GIKI
 “It is gratifying to note that many students opt for careers
in engineering after qualifying in the Cambridge
Examination system. The engineering profession offers
many opportunities but, at the same time there are
challenges. In future, the world would need more
refined, sophisticated, and efficient technologies to cope
with the peculiar needs of a new age which, in turn,
would require engineers and scientists of quality. Good
communication skills are equally important.
 Most students who come through the Cambridge system
cope well with the rigors of university education: the
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences
and Technology welcomes them.”

38. National University of Science and
Technology (NUST)
 Entry Requirements
 Engineering:
 A Levels in Pre-Engineering subjects according to IBCC
requirements. Specifically, A Levels in Physics, Maths and
Computer Science or Computer Studies for BE Software
Engineering,
Computer
Engineering,
Electronics
Engineering, Telecom Engineering, Avionics Engineering
and Information & Communication System Engineering
only.

39. National University of Science and
Technology (NUST)
 Entry Requirements
 Medicine:
 A Levels in Pre-Medical subjects according to IBCC
requirements. In order to encourage candidates from O and
A Level schools, NUST has reserved a few seats in
Engineering, IT, Medicine, Management, Social Sciences
and Applied Biosciences for admission through SAT tests.
Pakistani candidates of both A Level and F.Sc. streams can
exercise this option and compete for the reserved seats. A
minimum score of 550 is required in each subject to apply
for a medical program.

40. Message from the Rector of NUST
 “The only university in Pakistan to be ranked
amongst the top 350 universities of the world,
NUST is truly the dynamic face of higher
education in Pakistan. A significant percentage of
students at NUST belong to the O and A Levels
stream, and I must acknowledge that, even within
the competitive climate at NUST, they are
performing outstandingly well. To encourage
candidates of O and A Levels stream, NUST
accepts international SAT, GMAT, GRE and
MCAT scores; and these candidates can apply on
the basis of O Level equivalence certificates.”

41. Lahore University of Management
Sciences ( LUMS)
 Feedback on Cambridge students. Staff at
LUMS tell us the following:
 “Cambridge qualified students usually perform well
at LUMS especially in terms of spontaneity
required and academics in areas such as
reading, writing and analytical skills. Applicants
prior to getting admitted should be skilled in terms
of communication both verbal and written ,
presentation and analysis. Students admitted from
the Cambridge stream usually tend to have an
expertise and proficiency in these areas.”

42. Lahore University of Management
Sciences ( LUMS)
 Entry requirements
 The minimum eligibility criteria are as follows:
 A minimum of six O Level subjects. A minimum of three A
Level subjects with at least two passes at Grade B and one
at Grade C. Students who do not have their A Levels results at
the time of applying, are made an admission offer conditional
on them meeting these minimum eligibility criteria.
 The admission merit list takes into account the subject grades
or scores received in O Levels and A Levels, and the scores on
the LUMS admission test. The weighting assigned to school
examination results and the admission tests varies from school
to school. Students seeking admission to LUMS are usually
required to work on their academic scores along with
preparation for the LUMS admission test, which is based on
the SAT format.

43. National College of Arts (NCA)
 Feedback on Cambridge students. Staff at
NCA say:
 “CIE students have very good communication skills
and are confident young people. Students who do
an A Level in Media Studies are very well prepared
for undergraduate courses in film, television and
media studies.”

44. National College of Arts (NCA)
 Entry requirements
 Students need to have taken a minimum of three A
Levels and eight O Levels in subjects which satisfy
IBCC requirements. Except for Architecture,
where Mathematics is a pre-requisite, they could
have studied any subject combination. After making
sure that they meet the entry threshold criterion,
they will have to sit for an entrance test. Offers are
based on their performance in the entrance exam.

45. Message from the Principal, NCA
 “NCA is an equal opportunity institution and we
are looking for students from varied educational
and ethnic backgrounds. Students coming to NCA
should be creative, independent thinkers, should
have an inquiring mind and must be prepared for
a lot of hard work.”

46. MCAT Test

47. MCAT Test
 Entrance Test shall consist of 220 multiple choice
questions (MCQs) which will be divided in four
sections, namely:





Physics
Chemistry
English
Biology
Aptitude
 Time allowed for the Entrance Test shall be 150
minutes.
 Maximum Marks of Entrance Test 1100
 Entrance Test pass percentage is 60%.

48. STRUCTURE OF ENTRANCE TEST
PAPER 2011
Sr. #
Subject
1
2
3
4
5
TOTAL
PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
ENGLISH
APTITUDE
No. of
Questions
44
44
88
22
22
220

49. TABLE OF CONTENTS – PHYSICS
F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.













Physical Quantities and Units
Forces
Fluid Dynamics
Light
Waves
Deformation of Solids
Ideal Gases
Heat and Thermodynamics
Electronics
Current Electricity
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Modern Physics
Nuclear Physics

50. TABLE OF CONTENTS –
CHEMISTRY F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.
 Physical Chemistry
 Fundamental Concepts
 States of Matter
 Atomic Structure
 Chemical Bonding
 Chemical Energetics
 Solutions
 Electrochemistry
 Chemical Equilibrium
 Reaction Kinetics

51. TABLE OF CONTENTS –
CHEMISTRY F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.
 Inorganic Chemistry
 Periods
 Groups
 Transition elements
 Elements of Biological Importance

52. TABLE OF CONTENTS –
CHEMISTRY F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.
 Organic Chemistry
 Fundamental Principles
 Hydrocarbon
 Alkyl Halides
 Alcohols and Phenols
 Aldehydes and Ketones
 Carboxylic Acid
 Amino Acids
 Macromolecules
 Environmental Chemistry

53. TABLE OF CONTENTS – BIOLOGY
F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.
 Introduction to Biology
 Cell Biology
 Biological Molecules
 Microbiology
 Kingdom Animalia and Plantae
 Human Physiology
 Bioenergetics
 Biotechnology
 Ecosystem
 Evolution and Genetics

54. TABLE OF CONTENTS – BIOLOGY
F.Sc. and Non-F.Sc.
WHAT DOES APTITUDE TEST CONSIST OF?
The Aptitude Test will consist of three subtests:
Ethical, moral, professional and personality attributes:
Assesses the
 candidate‟s attitudes about moral, ethical and professional issues.
It will also assess personality attributes of the candidates. There
will be twelve questions in this section
Quantitative and abstract reasoning: Assesses candidate’s
ability to solve
 numerical problems and abstract reasoning. There will be five
questions in this section.
Analytical reasoning and problem solving: Assesses
candidate’s ability
 to deal with various forms of information, to infer relationships, to
make informed judgments, and decide upon an appropriate
response. There will be five questions in this section.

55. MCAT Result - 2010

56. MCAT Result - 2010
Last year Minimum
Percentage of
Medical Colleges
Admission =
81.3909 (895)

57. MCAT Test (Merit Calculation)
The formula for the calculation of merit is as follows:
A x 0.60 + B x 040 = C
Where
 A = FSc or equivalent examination marks
B = Entrance Test marks
C = Aggregate marks
Example
 FSc or equivalent marks = 944 / 1100
Entrance Test marks = 925 / 1100
Apply the formula:
 944 x 0.60 + 925 x 0.40 = 936.4
Aggregate marks = 936.4 / 1100
Aggregate percentage which decides the merit position =
938.3 x 100/1100 = 85.127

58. Conclusion
 Students who scored good grades in O Level
examination must opt A Level.
 Others can opt the business group.

59. Business Group
Business Group Provides „You‟
• To impact the practice of
management
• To contribute to knowledge
generation and dissemination
• To develop individuals with the
integrity and intellectual capacity
assume a leadership role in society

60. Business Group Provides „You‟
Solid preparation
Practical approach
Good communication skills
Openness to new ideas
Ability to think on one’s feet
Explores the new horizons

61. Business Society`s Specialities
Business Society visits and activities
 Provide a change in the monotony of life broaden
students’ outlook b
 Inculcate them the spirit of tolerance and mutual
cooperation.
 These opportunities also help YOU in learning
adjustment in life
 Adapt to new environments.
 It creates dynamism and self- reliance keeping in view
the multifarious advantages.