A Level Subject Selection Guidelines, Based on Requirements for Higher The - November 2011 You MUST read and understand this document BEFORE you select your A Level subjects. Changes of subject will not be possible after admission, so please make sure you make the correct selection of subjects NOW. 1. This information is a general outline. Please see Counsellors for detailed information on specific insitutions or on subject areas not included. 2. Information is as accurate as possible at time of publication. It is the students' responsibility to confirm specific entry requirements of desired . 3. The following criteria are designed to help you meet admission requirements, but following them does not guarantee admission into any institution. 4. Students are advised to read and understand this entire document, so as to be prepared if your degree of interest or country of destination changes. 5. Information has been carefully presented in the appropriatesections. Requirements meant for one section cannot be automatically applied universally.

page 1 of 8 General Requirements Prepared for applicants to The Lyceum School for Sept 2012

A. All Students 1. The more rigorous your academic programme, the stronger a candidate you are for the most competitive universities. 4 A Levels is better than 3 A Levels + 1 AS Level (3 1/2), are better than 3 A Levels. Below 3 A Level subjects is not considered rigorous. HOWEVER, Many students will not require more than 3 A Level elective subjects. It is better to get A*/A in 3 elective subjects and English than to have mediocre grades in 3 1/2 or 4 elective subjects. 2. Universities look at grades in ALL subjects including English , not just those related to your future studies. Quality is just as important as quanitity: make sure you can do well in all of the subjects you choose to take on. Grades for core subjects - English General or English Language and at least 3 electives taken in school - should remain as high as possible. Extra subjects should not be taken (either in school or privately) if grades in the core subjects will fall, either for schoolwork or for external examinations. 3. Although grades from re-sits are acceptable, it is preferable to achieve high grades in the first attempt at any AS or A Level exam. 4. A high degree of competence in English is required for all English medium studies. Striving for high grades in English General/Language will help you to write good admissions statements and prepare you for the high standard required at university. 5. English Language/English General are accepted equally for admissions purposes. 2 exceptions: See UK, item #5, Canada #2. 6. The most competitive universities abroad prefer traditional subjects (math, sciences, humanities, social sciences) to accounting/business. Diverse range of subjects recommended. Business students should consider taking a science, social science (other than economics), or humanities subject. Many universites are happy with A Level business subjects. 7. Math, at least AS level (calculus), is increasingly useful for admissions in social sciences as well as business and engineering. 8. Transcripts with grades received in school are very important to admissions in the US, Canada, LUMS and some others. 9. Extracurricular activities and community service are increasingly important in international and domestic admissions. 10. Extra subjects given privately are generally acceptable to universities. The student is responsible for obtaining a written copy of the forecasted A and/or AS Level grade(s) from the tutor for any private subject. 11. Meeting minimum entrance requirements alone does not make a candidate competitive. 12. The Lyceum school cannot be responsible for sudden changes in admissions or visa requirements. page 2 of 8 General Requirements, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 B. Pakistan 1. Equivalence certificates from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) required for most universities. Students MUST check at the earliest to confirm their elegibility for a certificate as requirements are subject to change. Full equivalence details are available at the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen website: www.ibcc.edu.pk. 2. A Level Studies are considered the equivalent of the following local qualifications: Inter, HSC, HSSC, FSc, FA, as follows; Arts: 3 A Level electives; Pre-medical: biology, chemistry and ; Pre-engineering: math, chemistry and physics. 3. O Level English, , Pakistan Studies, Islamiyat, Urdu and some electives are required to obtain an equivalence certificate. Some O Level requirements have recently changed - please confirm your requirements on the IBCC website. Only foreign citizens may sometimes be exempt from Pak Studies/Islamiat/Urdu. Pakistani citizens who took O Level exams abroad must arrange to take exams for missing subjects privately if they will need an equivalence certificate. Non-muslim students may take Bible studies/comparative religion/ethics instead of Islamiat. 4. 3 principal subjects usually required. 2 sometimes required. Urdu as a principal subject is not accepted by some universities. 5. LUMS (for 2011 entry) required their own entry test and three principal A Level subjects. SAT not accepted. LUMS entry prodecures are subject to change annually. Entry requirements for fall 2012 will be available in late fall 2011.

C. Canada 1. Minimum 3 A Level principal subjects recommended to be competitive for the top universities. Many universities require a minimum of 2 A Levels if combined with strong O Levels. 2. Good grades/forcasted grades in either: 3 A Level and 1 O Level examination, or 2 A Level and 3 O Level examinations. Some universities accept 2 AS Level examinations in lieu of 1 A Level exam - AS English General occasionally not be accepted. All exams must be presented in different subjects. Urdu usually accepted. 3. TOEFL or IELTS required by many universities. If desired, exemption must be obtained in writing from each university separately. Universities may require TOEFL/ILETS even from students who meet standard exemptions. Safer just to take it. 4. McGill course requirements are more stringent than other universities, so please confirm requirements for desired major. 5. Minimum 6 As at the O Level usually required for admissions to McGill and York's Schulich Business School.

D. United States 1. SAT 1 (critical reading, mathematics and writing) usually required. 2. Two SAT II subjects sometimes required (literature, math I, math II, bio, chem, phys, world history, US history, some languages). Three SAT II subjects occasionally required. Math I and Math II combination is not preferred, and occasionally not accepted. 3. TOEFL usually required for international students. Many universities now accept IELTS in lieu of TOEFL. Exemption, if desired, must be obtained in writing from each college or university individually. 4. University entrance requirements are based on the normal US high school curriculum: 4 years of English, 3-4 years of math, 2 years of history/social science, 1-3 years of lab science, and 2-4 years of the same foreign language. Some universities may impose minimum course requirements. Traditional subjects preferred. US high school students do not normally study business subjects - Accounting/BS may not be accepted as college preparatory courses by a few universities. 5. Four A level subjects are strongly recommended for students who wish to apply to the most competitive universities. page 3 of 8 General Requirements, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 E. United Kingdom 1. Minimum B grade in O Level math and English usually required. If O Level English is below B, IELTS/TOEFL is generally required. Students must be prepared to provide proof of English proficiency if it is requested as a part of a university's offer. 2. TOEFL/IELTS is required for a visa for students attending Foundation Year programmes (or other degrees below BA level). British visa requirements are undergoing revision. All students must be prepared to give IELTS/TOEFL if required. 3. Minimum 3 A Level principal subject passes usually required. (See section A above.) Native language A Level (Urdu) not acceptable to some universities. A Level Thinking Skills sometimes not acceptable. 4. Competitive University Admissions: 3-4 A Level subjects in a diverse range of traditional subjects preferred. 4 A Level subject combination is more competitive if all of the grades remain high. (Ex. To meet a AAA offer, AAA is better than AABB) A minimum of 2, and preferably 3 A Level subjects must be traditional subjects. Non-traditional subjects (accounting/business studies/art and design) may be taken as a third or fourth A Level subject or as an additional AS Level subject. 5. An additional AS Level subject is required by some of the most competitive universities. Such universities recommend candidates to complete 4 AS level subjects at the end of the first year, and continue at least 3 of them to the full A Level at the end of the second year. AS Level exams taken at the end of the second year, either alone or combined with the A2 exam, are also accepted. AS Level English General/Thinking Skills sometimes not accepted a. 4th AS Level subject required by King's, UCL and Warwick. b. 4th AS Level subject required by some courses at Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh, Imperial, LSE, Nottingham and Southampton. c. Warwick: Avoid subjects with overlapping curricula, for example both Business Studies and Economics to the A Level. d. LSE: Avoid Business Studies/Economics combination at the A Level. Further Maths recommended only as a fourth subject. e. Oxford/Cambridge: Competitive candidates will have a minimum of 7-8 A*/As at the O Level, including English Language, and forecasted A Level grades of A and A*. Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), subject test, submission of work and/or interviews may be required. 6. Many law programmes require the LNAT test, and most medical programmmes require either the BMAT or UKCAT test. 7. Other programs/universities may have testing/written work/portfolio/interview requirements. Confirm via university website.

page 4 of 8 A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study The Lyceum School - November 2011

A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study

United Kingdom United States Canada Pakistan Accounting See business. LSE may accept A See Business. Students generally See Business. A Level CA: ICAP- 2 C grades at the A Level accounting for the enter an undergraduate business mathematics ususally required. Level provides exemption from accounting and finance programme and major in Strong English skills and a test the ICAP Pre-Entry Proficiency programme. Further maths accounting, or study accounting required for admission to Test required for entry to the recommended. Over 90% of at the master's level. Professinal Waterloo's Accounting and foundation level. ICAP course students who pursue designation: CPA (Certified Financial Management exemptions available for students membership with the ICAEW Public Accountant) Minimum programme. with A or B in English, have a bachelor's degree in bachelor's degree and related Professional designation: CA. Economics, and/or Maths accounting and finance or a work experience required. State Minimum BA degree in (P1+P2orP3+Further Maths). related subject, such as business requirements for licensing vary. accounting or in a related subject ACCA- 3 O Levels including or economics. Related work Not British system. and related work experience English and Math and 2 A Levels experience required. Professional required. in different subject required. designation: CA. CIMA- 2 A Levels. Actuarial Science A Level mathematics required A Level mathematics strongly A Level mathematics required. A Level mathematics required. and further mathematics often recommended. required. (esp for LSE). Architecture A Level art required by many Bachelors of Architecture (5yr) A Level physics and math usually NCA/Indus - Aptitude test with universities. A Level mathematics programs may require math and required, and art recommended. drawing and math required. Art recommended. Portfolio usually physics. No specific Portfolio required. McGill also background recommended but required. Requirements vary by requirements for pre-architecture requires chemistry, physics and only required for the extrance university. programs; math recommended. math to the O Level, and two of test. Any 3 A Levels ok. Pre-architecture must be followed these, preferably math and Other - A Level math, by a Master's degree in physics, to the A Level. Most physics, and chemistry required Architecture. programs are pre-architecture, (pre-engineering curriculum). which must be followed by a master's degree. page 5 of 8 A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 United Kingdom United States Canada Pakistan Art/Design A Level Art required. Most Some art schools or programs Portfolio required. A Level art No specific reqirements, but art universities require a foundation will require a portfolio. O or A recommended. background recommended. art course from a UK institution Level art not required. Aptitude test, including drawing, before entry. Portfolio required. will be required. Biology and Biological A Level biology and chemistry No specific requirements. A Level biology, chemistry and A Level biology, chemistry and Sciences and one of either math or physics Science background helpful. math is the best combination. physics may be required. Check recommended. Entrance requirements vary. with the IBCC and directly with universities. Business (Finance, A Level math may be required. No specific requirements. A A Level math may be required. A Level math recommended. No Accounting, Marketing, Strong O Level mathematics Level math recommended. AS Level Maths (calculus) is the specific requirements. Management, etc.) grade preferred. miniumum requirement at many universities. Some schools require minimum B in A Level math. (e.g. McGill) Chemistry A Level chemistry and one of No specific requirements. A Level chemistry, physics and A Level physics, chemistry and either math (preferably) or Science background helpful. math is the best combination. either biology or math. Check physics. Entrance requirements vary. with the IBCC and directly with universities. Computer Science A Level math usually required. A No specific requirements. Math A Level math required. Additional A Level math recommended. Level computer studies helpful. strongly recommended. sciences sometimes required FAST requires A Level math and (phys/chem/bio). prefers A Level physics, but may take O Level physics. Economics A Level math may be required. A Level mathematics strongly A Level math usually required. A Level math recommended. High grade in O Level math recommended. AS Level Maths required by most preferred. Economics universities. recommended. Further Maths sometimes recommended (LSE for some programmes). page 6 of 8 A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 United Kingdom United States Canada Pakistan Engineering A Level math required. A Level A Level physics and math A Level physics, chemistry and A Level physics, chemistry and physics usually required. A Level strongly recommended. High math required. (Even for math required by all institutions. chemistry may be required for school math and physics (grades computer engineering) Pre-Engineering equivalence some programs (chemical 9-11) required. Chemistry sometimes accepted certficicate from IBCC required engineering, etc.) at the O Level. by most universities. Engineering, Software A Level math usually required. See Engineering A Level physics, chemistry and See Engineering. See Computer Science. math required. O Level chemistry sometimes accepted. Humanities (History, English - A Level English No specific requirements. A Level History may be required No specific reqirements. Literature, Languages, Literature req. History - A Level for archaeology. , Religion, History req. Language - A Level etc.) in that language usually req. Info. Technology & Usually offered within Computer Usually offered within Business. Usually offered within Business. Math and computer background Information Systems Science. helpful. NUST: A Level math, physics and either computers or chemistry required. Law 3 A Level principal subjects Law not available as an Law not available as an under- Law not available as an under- required, preferably taken in one undergradudate degree. Any graduate degree. A BA in history graduate degree at local sitting. 1 AS Level, in a different major can be preparation for the or political science is good institutions. Both separate BA subject (not English General), 3 year graduate law programme. preparation for law school, but and LLB degrees or a combined also required by some. A Level Pre-law advising is available at not required. British system law, BA/LLB required to enter practice law not advised. Traditional university. Not British system. with some schools calling it an in Pakistan. 2 to 3 A Level subjects preferred. Admission is Degree awarded is JD (Juris LLB and others calling it a JD. subjects, minimum C grade extremely competitive. To Doctor). required for entry to U. of London practice in Pakistan, a student external programme LLB course. with an LLB must also complete 1 year Bar at Law or LLM programme in the UK or obtain a BA degree. Many universities require the LNAT test. page 7 of 8 A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 United Kingdom United States Canada Pakistan Mathematics A Level math required. Further No specific requirements. A Level A Level math required. A Level math required. math recommended. Math strongly advised. Medicine and Dentistry A Level chemistry, biology and Medicine and dentistry not Medicine and Dentistry are not A Level physics, chemistry and either physics or math (in one available as undergraduate available as undergraduate biology required. Pre-medical sitting) required. Minimum 7-8 degrees. Any undergraduate degrees. Premedical/dental equivalence certificate from As at the O Level, including major is acceptable as long as requirements must be met during IBCC required. AKU prefers 4 English, physics, chemistry and pre-medical/dental requirements university studies. International A Level subjects, evidence of biology. Entry extremely are fulfilled during university students do not have access to leadership potential and competitive, 4 A Levels with good studies. International students all graduate medical programs. involvement in community grades recommended. Most do not have access to all Entry to others will be very service. universities require either the graduate medical programs. competitive. BMAT or the UKCAT test. Entry to others will be very Community service necessary. competitive, and scholarship very Interview abroad may be limited. required. Pharmacy and A or B grade in A level chemistry 2 year minimum pre-pharmacy Minimum 3 A Levels, preferably 4 Physics, chemistry and biology Pharmacology and at least 2 A Levels from programme or undergraduate including Mathematics, Physics, required for equivalence Physics, Biology or math. O degree required before the 4 year Chemistry,and Biology. Minimum certificate from IBCC. Level Biology may be required. A professional programme. A Add Maths at the O Level. Level math helpful. Level biology and chemistry recommended. Minimum O Level math and physics recommended. Physics A Level physics and math No specific requirements. A Level physics and math. A A Level physics and chemistry required. Science background helpful. Level chemistry sometimes required. A Level math may be required required. Psychology A Level science subject(s) or No specific requirements. May be offered with either No specific requirements. math sometimes required (ex. sciences or social sciences. See UCL). A good grade in O Level entry requirements for relevant math required. division. page 8 of 8 A Level Preparation by Country and Field of Study, continued The Lyceum School - November 2011 United Kingdom United States Canada Pakistan Science A Level - 2 from math, biology, No specific requirements. Usually A Level math and 2 of A level science subjects. chemistry, physics and computer Science background at O or A biology, physics and chemistry. science required. level helpful. The remaining science must be taken at the O Level. Social Sciences A Level geography may be No specific requirements. No specific requirements. No specific requirements. (Anthropology, required for geography. International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, etc.)