Cambridge International March 2019 exam results: STEM subjects popular among students; 5 new subjects added to increase choice for Indian students

New Delhi: Cambridge International today announced the results of its March 2019 exam series in India for Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications. With more than 45000 entries, the March 2019 series witnessed a growth of 17 per cent over last year.

Entries for Cambridge IGCSE have grown by 20 per cent over the last year, and entries for Cambridge International AS & A Level have increased by 9 per cent.

Cambridge Global Perspectives remains a popular subject with a growth of 145 per cent in entries on last year for Cambridge IGCSE and 61 per cent for Cambridge International AS & A Level. This subject gives students an opportunity to explore global issues and develop skills in critical thinking and research.

Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, along with languages like Hindi and French are the most popular Cambridge IGCSE subjects this year. Spanish has been introduced for the March series from 2021 to provide students with another foreign language option. At Cambridge International AS & A Level, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English Language and Business emerged as the most popular subjects.

The popularity of the March exam series continues to grow in India, with more subjects being examined every year. With the addition of Spanish, International Mathematics and Co-ordinated Sciences at Cambridge IGCSE; General English Paper at Cambridge International AS Level and History for Cambridge International AS & A Level, students will be able to take examinations in 24 Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses and 16 Cambridge International AS & A Level syllabuses in the March series from 2021.

Ruchira Ghosh, Regional Director, South Asia, Cambridge International said: “The March series has become the largest and the most popular examination series for Cambridge International in India. Most university admissions in India begin around June-July and writing exams in March enables our students to get their results in time to meet the admission deadlines. Since the introduction of the March series in 2015, we have been taking feedback from schools to add further subjects for the benefit of our learners. Lots of hard work and passion from Cambridge students lies behind the exam results released today, irrespective of the grades achieved in the final exam. I would like to congratulate every Cambridge student and thank their schools and families on behalf of the entire team at Cambridge International.”

Matthew Raggett, Headmaster, The Doon School, Dehradun said, “The Cambridge IGCSE programme at The Doon School has added a new dimension to the academic discourse in school. With the emphasis that it allows us to give skills, process and some of the attributes we value in learners, we have shifted the focus of teaching and learning. Critical engagement with what is being taught has come to centre stage of our pedagogical process. The way the assessment system has been structured has led to a perceptible fall in the levels of stress in the students which was visible when we saw our first cohort writing their exams this March. We see Cambridge IGCSE as a very important step in the continuum of learning in school. It has surely added value to the already vibrant learning environment at Doon.”

Sudha Goyal, Director, The Scottish High International School, Gurugram said, “The curriculum offered by Cambridge International is broad, balanced and helps in developing a global outlook in students which equips them for success in a fast-changing modern world, to explore their own boundaries and take up new challenges in life. The addition of the March series since 2015 has augmented and boosted the curriculum even further, for it gives a sense of security to students seeking admission in National and International colleges without any loss of time. Keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian colleges and universities, Cambridge International improvises on its subject list on a regular basis. It is an exclusive curriculum in India that offers a multitude of subject options along with Extended and Core components catering to the needs of every individual, thus making it the most sought-after programme in India.”

Rashima V Varma, Head of School, The Ardee School, New Friends Colony, New Delhi said, “Cambridge International curriculum is learner-centric and encourages conceptual learning to empower students to take ownership of their education. Many of our students are seeking opportunities in Indian universities and for these students the March series is extremely relevant as it allows them to prepare for entrance examinations such as medical entrance examination (NEET-UG) and to seek admission in Indian universities along with their peers from other Indian education boards. The March series provides the dual benefits of international curriculum with the convenience of joining their peers in Indian universities in July. The Cambridge curriculum is rigorous and offers the largest range of subjects which allows students to choose subjects they enjoy and are best at. Hence the introduction of new subjects for the March series in 2021 is a welcome addition.”

The Cambridge Pathway curriculum offers flexibility and choice for learners and schools in India with over 70 subjects offered at Cambridge IGCSE and over 55 subjects offered at Cambridge International AS & A Level, and a choice of three exam series per year. Currently, there are over 470 schools in India offering Cambridge programmes