08 Mar 2022
We are pleased to announce that the American Council on Education (ACE) Learning Evaluations Service has reviewed and recommended college credit for five Cambridge International AS Level exams. The subjects that will receive college credit are Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, and Thinking Skills. The exams will now be listed in the ACE National Guide.
ACE, the major coordinating body for higher education institutions in the US, seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and to influence public policy through advocacy, research and programme initiatives. The ACE National Guide is a catalogue developed by ACE to assist colleges and universities in understanding how to award college course credit for a variety of educational experiences.
"We are excited to have the American Council on Education validate the rigour and quality of our exams," said Mark Cavone, Cambridge International Regional Director, North America. "With more and more districts turning to Cambridge International for a flexible academic programme that challenges and engages all students across achievement levels, the recognition from ACE provides higher education institutions with an independent and trusted third-party review of our exams."
To be considered for college credit, Cambridge International's exams underwent a review by subject matter experts from colleges and universities, as well as by a psychometrician. The review team analysed exam materials, validated learning outcomes and competencies, and recommended post-secondary credit based on its findings. The psychometrician analysed the steps Cambridge International takes to measure exam validity and scoring reliability, and the technical adequacy of Cambridge International's procedures for test development, exam proctoring, and score reporting.
During the review of the exams, ACE noted: "There is a thorough item development process. This includes an established programme for item developers with clear instruction and training to avoid bias and promote fairness as part of the item development process. This purpose-driven process culminates in longitudinal research to evaluate examinee performance on related assessment instruments as well as on key indicators of college and career success. The process of collecting this type of information is often only an aspirational goal for many organisations, and research suggests that the Cambridge International AS Level exams may be more culturally fair than other, similar programs."
First introduced in the US in 1995, the Cambridge International programme has grown rapidly in popularity among US schools. It is now used by schools in 35 states and the District of Columbia. More Cambridge Advanced coursework and exams are now taken by students in the US than in any other country.
Over 950 colleges and universities in North America recognise and reward Cambridge coursework and exams for admissions, credit and placement. All public colleges and universities in Washington, Florida, Mississippi, Virginia, South Carolina, Indiana, and North Carolina award credit for Cambridge International AS & A Level exams, as do many institutions in other states. The inclusion of Cambridge International qualifications in the ACE National Guide will make it easier for more universities across the US to develop credit policies for Cambridge exams.
Further information
Earning credits towards a degree at a US institution can save students time and money. Read our blog post for more details and useful tips for Cambridge students worldwide.