FAQ’s

  • The student needs to obtain a grade from A* to C in a minimum of 6 subjects at the end of Form 10, in the IGCSE Programme.

  • The Cambridge AICE Diploma is an international pre-university curriculum and examination system that emphasises the value of broad and balanced study.

    Designed for post-16 study, the Cambridge AICE Diploma demands knowledge of a variety of subjects from three different groups:

    Mathematics and Sciences

    Languages

    Arts and Humanities.

  • To earn the Cambridge AICE Diploma, students must take a minimum of seven credits. One of these must be Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives & Research, while the remaining six are chosen from Subject Groups 1 (Mathematics and Science), Group 2 (Languages), and Group 3 (Arts and Humanities), and optionally from Group 4 to receive the Diploma.

    Students must earn at least one credit from each of the Groups 1, 2, and 3. The remaining credits can come from any of the Groups.

    Each subject is offered at AS or A levels. One AS subject represents one credit, while an A-level subject represents two credits.

  • Having ensured that a Pass is achieved in each of the three subject areas and in Global Perspectives and Research, the point score is calculated based on the Global Perspectives result plus the best six results from the other credits:

    A-Level:

    A* = 140 points

    A = 120 points

    B = 100 points

    C = 80 points

    D = 60 points

    E = 40 points

    AS-Level:

    A = 60 points

    B = 50 points

    C = 40 points

    D = 30 points

    E = 20 points

    An A Level (being a double credit) can count for a maximum of 140 points, an AS for 60 points, with a sliding scale depending on the grade achieved.

    The maximum point score is 420 and any score of less than 140 for the Cambridge AICE Diploma will be reported as a Cambridge AICE Diploma failure.

    The Cambridge AICE Diploma point score, calculated by Cambridge International, is converted to the Portuguese Ensino Secundário grading system, by the Direção Geral de Educação, ex:

    AICE 140 > 12º ano 10,0

    (…)

    AICE 320 > 12º ano 16,4

    (…)

    AICE 420 > 12º ano 20,0

  • The AICE Diploma requires passes in at least seven credits. Each Cambridge International AS Level counts as one full credit. A Cambridge International A Level counts as a double credit qualification. For example, students could offer three International A Levels, or two International A Levels with two International AS Levels. There are many more valid combinations of examinations, but at least one International AS/A Level pass must come from each of the three curriculum areas.

    Students who have access to Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives & Independent Research (Pre-U GPR) can also use entries for this subject to contribute to the award.

  • Yes, the LIS Team guides students on subject choices, as well as regarding the National Exams requirements of specific university courses, both in Portugal and abroad.

  • Cambridge International qualifications are accepted by universities all around the world but Admission policies and procedures can vary significantly depending on how each country adapts Cambridge qualifications to their own national system of secondary education.

    In Portugal, students apply to university using the “Ensino Secundário” classification and the results of subject-specific exams, called “Provas de Ingesso”, depending on the degree programme they wish to study at University.

    Three Cambridge International A Levels or the Cambridge AICE Diploma are considered equivalent to the Portuguese “12º ano de escolaridade do Ensino Secundário” (end of Secondary Education).

    The Portuguese “Provas de Ingesso” are substituted by the homologous subject Cambridge International AS or A Level exam.

    LIS will guide our graduating students through every step of their university application process and in obtaining all the relevant equivalencies.