This entry was reviewed for the 2015 qualifications guide. EVALUATION
High School Graduation Diploma
On its own, at a minimum, can be considered acceptable in lieu of GCSE (grades A, B, C) provided an average grade C is obtained in subjects which have counterparts in the GCSE syllabus (see Education System below). College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Tests Minimum of 600 in writing, critical reading and mathematical elements of the SAT Reasoning Test and a minimum of 600 in relevant SAT Subject Tests taken or a score of 26 or higher in the ACT (which covers English, mathematics, reading, science and writing) may be regarded as satisfying general entrance requirements. Advanced Placement (AP) Tests
Grades of 3 and above in at least two, and preferably three, subjects may be regarded as satisfying general entrance requirements.
Group A subjects Group B subjects
Biology Art history
Calculus AB Studio art (drawing portfolio) Calculus BC Studio art (2-D design portfolio) Chemistry Studio art (3-D design portfolio) Physics 1 Computer science A (a one-term course)
Physics 2 Environmental science
Physics C Government and politics: United States Chinese language and culture Human geography
English literature and composition Macroeconomics English language and composition Microeconomics French language and culture Music theory German language and culture Psychology Italian language and culture Statistics Japanese language and culture Latin: Virgil
Spanish language and culture Spanish literature and culture European history
United States history World history
NOTE: Foreign language and literature AP courses typically require four prior semesters of study
Advanced Placement Tests carry UCAS Tariff points as follows:
Group A Group B
Grade 5 – 120 Tariff points Grade 5 – 50 Tariff points Grade 4 – 90 Tariff points Grade 4 – 35 Tariff points Grade 3 – 60 Tariff points Grade 3 – 20 Tariff points
Most UK institutions have specific entry requirements for applicants from outside of the UK which may not refer to Tariff points. All applicants should visit the UCAS search tool and providers’ international websites to check whether they meet the entry criteria for their chosen course of study. For further information about the UCAS Tariff, please see Appendix H.
GRADING SYSTEM CEEB SAT Tests
Scaled score 800–200 in each test.
800–700 exceptional 699–600 high 599–480 above average 479–420 average 419–200 generally unacceptable AP Tests
5 extremely well qualified
4 well qualified
3 qualified
2 possibly qualified
1 no recommendation
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Education is the responsibility of the individual states and the educational structure varies, notably in primary and middle school. In actual fact, there is no national curriculum. The most common structure includes four years of high school with a total of 12 years overall. The High School Graduation Diploma is awarded on the basis of satisfactory completion of required coursework with an average of grade C or better. The individual subjects of the Diploma are generally graded A (excellent) – B – C – D (pass) – F (fail). High School Diplomas are based on internal assessment with little standardisation (state-mandated performance guidelines), but may be regarded as providing useful supplementary evidence for purposes of admission to HE courses in the UK. If requested by the pupil, a school will supply a transcript of courses with grades and a school profile that gives an indication of the kind of high school attended, the level of courses offered and of student performance in courses and tests (district, state, national, SAT, etc).
The majority of schools offer the opportunity for students to participate in the Advanced Placement programme of the College Board. This programme allows students to take college-level introductory courses in selected subjects. Thirty-five examinations are offered in each of twenty-five subjects at the end of each academic year. Some high achieving independent schools do not necessarily offer the AP courses as their classes are thought to be as rigorous or more so than AP, but in most cases these schools continue to offer the AP exams annually.
ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
In addition to the High School Diploma (or General Education Development (GED) programme as substitute credential), many universities in the US require the SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests or ACT for entry to the first year of a broadly based four-year degree. Institutions of a high standing would expect Honours and College Preparatory courses to be taken in high school; they would expect a combined SAT score of around 1,800 or above for entrance, although there is variation among institutions. US institutions often indicate standardised test score requirements by citing the mid-50% range of the previous incoming class (meaning that 25% of students scored below the range and 25% scored above the range). Candidates taking AP examinations who obtain scores of 3 or above in designated subjects may be awarded academic credit in corresponding subjects, contributing to the total number of credits needed to complete the degree. However, for this purpose, the more competitive
institutions usually require scores of 4 or 5. The institution decides the score requirement for each AP subject and sets a limit on the amount of credit available; credit for a full year or more may be awarded in some cases. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, a nationally recognised College Board examination, are another entry route to higher education. There are 35 subject-based exams on offer; although no coursework is required, students can take the tests in which they have sufficient knowledge. Non-traditional students, including those who have completed military service, are most likely to have taken CLEP exams. However, traditional, college- bound students are now beginning to take the exams as a way to earn college credits (which are determined by each college/university).
The Associate Degree in Arts or Science is awarded by two-year post-secondary colleges, often called community colleges, which offer a range of academic and vocational courses. Holders of this qualification may be allowed to transfer into the third year of a bachelor’s degree programme in the US. Holders of an associate degree would not be able to apply for a postgraduate programme or equivalent.
Uzbekistan
This entry was last reviewed prior to 2010. EVALUATION
Attestat o srednem obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Acceptable in lieu of GCSE on a subject for subject basis (except English language).
O’rta Ma’lumot To’g’risida Shahodatnoma
Acceptable in lieu of GCSE on a subject for subject basis (except English language).
GRADING SYSTEM 100–86% excellent 85–71 good 70–56 satisfactory 55 or less unsatisfactory EDUCATION SYSTEM
Four years of primary education is followed by five years of lower secondary and a further three years in an academic lyceum or a professional college. Uzbek is the medium of instruction in the majority of schools, although Russian is still widely used. English has replaced Russian as the foreign language of choice for most students. There is a wide range of HE institutions in Uzbekistan, although those located outside the capital are generally more poorly resourced. ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
On completion of their secondary education (academic lyceum or professional college), students sit a nationally administered multiple-choice examination for entry into HE. Application can be made to only one university in a given year. A pass mark is set by each university and students achieving this are eligible for government scholarships. Increasing numbers of fee-paying or ‘contract’ students are also being accepted.