Frequently Asled Questions
Q: What is AICE?
A: The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is an international diploma that students can earn via an advanced academic curriculum and assessment program written and administered by a non-profit department (CIE) of the University of Cambridge in England. AICE program courses and examinations may be offered during grades 9-12 in schools worldwide registered as CIE Centres. There is an optional pre-AICE, or International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), curriculum and assessment program available for grades 9 and 10.
Q: What are the benefits of AICE?
A: AICE not only prepares students to get into a university with up to 45 hours of college credit, but it also provides them with the skills required to be successful once there. In addition, students who earn the AICE Diploma (and complete 100 community service hours) will qualify for the Florida Academic Bright Futures Scholarship. Students who pass individual papers (not earning the full diploma) will earn college credit for those papers passed.
Esperance Han Brayden Hawk
Q: What is meant by AICE Graduation Option?
A: The Florida Legislature has determined the AICE Curriculum is a graduation option for students beginning with the graduating class of 2011. Students must remain AICE Students in good standing and complete all of the AICE Curriculum requirements to utilize this option. Students failing to meet the curriculum requirements are subject to all standard graduation requirements.
Q: What do I have to do to earn an AICE Diploma?
A: Students must pass seven credits worth of examinations. At least one examination must come from each of the four subject groups: Mathematics and Sciences, Languages, Arts and Humanities and Core (Global Perspectives). Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level exams count for one credit and Advanced (A) Level exams count for two credits.
Q: Do students have to earn the full AICE Diploma in order to earn college credits?
A: No. Colleges award credit on a subject–by–subject basis according to grades earned on individual examinations passed.
Q: How do AICE examination grades compare with the US grading scale?
A: Passing grades available on AICE exams range from A to E with A being the highest. Performance of students below the threshold of a CIE grade of E receives a grade of U, ungraded, which is not considered passing. A DOE AICE program study found that a CIE grade of E most closely correlated with an Advanced Placement exam grade of 3 and a US grade of C.
Q: Do many universities give college credits for AICE exams passed?
A: Yes. University of Cambridge International Examinations publishes a list on their website http://recognition.cie.org.uk of US universities that have provided written statements of their AICE recognition policy (which includes AS and A Levels). If a university admissions counselor is unfamiliar with AICE, it is suggested you ask to speak to the international applications counselor. All public universities and community colleges in Florida award up to 45 hours of college credit for AICE exams passed.