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EDUN C10-01-093 
Press Release No: 04500
Date 3 Oct 2000

MOE TO ASSUME GREATER CONTROL OVER THE GCE A-LEVEL EXAMINATION IN 2002

1        The Ministry of Education (MOE) will assume greater control over the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-level Examination in 2002. MOE will then take responsibility for the construction of examination syllabuses, format of examination question papers, setting of standards and the award of grades for all subjects offered under the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-level Examination.

Current Situation

2        The GCE A-Level examination is currently conducted by MOE in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). MOE is responsible for subjects examined in the mother-tongue languages. For the rest of the subjects, UCLES is the examining authority and oversees the development of syllabuses, the setting of examination papers, the marking of answer scripts and the award of grades.

Rationale for Change

3        In recent years, a systematic revision of our A-level teaching syllabuses has been carried out to ensure that they are appropriate and forward-looking to prepare our students for the future. The syllabus content has been trimmed and there is now a greater focus on thinking skills, creativity and independent learning.

4        Assessment is an integral part of the teaching-learning process. It must go in tandem with syllabus revisions and new curricular emphases. MOE therefore needs the flexibility to develop our own examinations so that we can effect curricular changes in a timely manner.

Implementation

5        From 2002, MOE will assume greater control over the GCE A-Level examination. The A-level examination papers for 18 subjects will be based on examination syllabuses and formats which have been developed locally to cater to our needs. The list of subjects affected by the syllabus revisions is at Annex A.The revised syllabuses will be implemented in Year 2001 at the Pre-University One level and examined in Year 2002.

6        MOE will still be tapping on the professional expertise of UCLES in certain areas. Marking will be carried out by UCLES as is the case currently. Grading will be carried out by MOE in consultation with UCLES. A summary of the changes in MOE´s and UCLES´ responsibilities for the GCE A-level examination with effect from 2002 is outlined in Annex B.

7        The A-Level certificate awarded will remain as the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level examination certificate.

8        For enquries, members of the public can contact MOE at tel 879 7465.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Annex A

SUBJECTS AFFECTED BY THE SYLLABUS REVISIONS

1. General Paper (AO-Level)
2. Literature (with AO-Level)
3. French (with AO-Level)
4. German (with AO-Level)
5. Japanese (with AO-Level)
6. Geography
7. History
8. Management of Business
9. Principles of Accounting
10. Music (and Higher Music)
11. Art and Design (and Higher Art)
12. Computing
13. Biology
14. Chemistry
15. Physics
16. Mathematics (AO-Level)
17. Mathematics (A-Level)
18. Further Mathematics

Annex B

SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN MOE´S AND UCLES´ RESPONSIBILITIES