Dear Parents,
The staff and school management at Beaconhouse cares deeply for the health and safety of its students. We understand that this is a very stressful time for our students who have to sit their Cambridge International exams in May/June 21 and with your cooperation, we want to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by the impact of any uninformed decision
Based on the communication received from Cambridge International thus far, students will have the option to withdraw their exams entries from the May/June 2021 series and sit their exams in a future Cambridge International exam series, for example Oct/Nov 2021.
For better understanding, it is important to understand what partial/complete withdrawal means.
Partial Withdrawal:
Withdrawal of exams entries for some subjects completely (not components) from the May/June 2021 series and sit their exams in a future Cambridge International exam series, for example Oct/Nov 2021 or a future exam series
Complete Withdrawal:
Withdrawal of exams entries for all subjects from the May/June 2021 series and sit their exams in a future Cambridge International exam series, for example Oct/Nov 2021 or a future exam series.
We have done an in-depth analysis of this option and;
- Candidates seeking partial/complete withdrawal for X C & A1:
NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE SCHOOL – The school has completed the syllabi for these subjects and has provided full support to all students for the examination preparation (May/June 2021). If students seek withdrawal from the above mentioned and wish to appear in a future exam series, the school will not be able to support examination preparation of the students for these subjects beyond June 2021. However, Beaconhouse will facilitate the students by sending their registrations through schools. An undertaking (link embedded) will be signed by parents confirming that the school will not be held responsible if the child does not appear for these subjects or the grade/s they produce. In addition, for the work the student might miss in preparing or sitting the exams during Oct/Nov 2021, the school will not take any responsibility for it.
- Candidates seeking partial/complete withdrawal for XI C:
NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE SCHOOL – The school has completed the syllabi of all subjects being offered at these two levels and has provided full support to all students for the examination preparation (May/June 2021). In case, students want a partial/complete withdrawal from the exam entries of XI C, the school will not be able to support the students’ examination preparation for the subjects beyond June 2021. In case all dues have been cleared till June 2021, their registration for a further exam series will be sent through the school.
- Candidates seeking partial/complete withdrawal in A2:
NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE SCHOOL – Cambridge will only carry forward the marks of AS Level exams taken in May/June 2020 if a student appears in the remaining exams within 13 months. Thus, if A2 students wish to withdraw from May/June 2021, their AS grades will not be carried forward and they will have to sit their composite exams in Oct/Nov 2021. This decision is under consideration by Cambridge and no update has been received on it yet.
Below are further reasons that support our decision regarding withdrawal:
- Cambridge International has already allowed students to opt for component exemptions and Beaconhouse has facilitated its students upon their requests. Therefore, withdrawal, complete or partial, is not recommended.
- There is no guarantee that the relaxations provided by Cambridge International in these exam series (exemptions, cancellation and rescheduling of exams) will be offered in the next exam series.
- Taking all the required exams for the particular class level (especially XC and A1) will ensure smooth academic transition to the next class level.
- Opting for withdrawal will lead to disruption in the middle of the academic year of the next class level to take exams. For example, in the case of A1 students taking XIC exams in Oct/Nov 2021.
- Based on XIC CAIE results students choose subjects in A1. If they seek withdrawal in XIC, they will not be able to make informed decisions.
- If students do not take the exams for all subjects in May/June 2021, they are less likely to be eligible for scholarship in A1 (based on XIC grades) and A2 (based on AS grades)
- If A1 students take all AS exams in May/June 2021, they will have more time in A2 to focus on applications to national/international universities, taking SAT and other college prep aspects.
- If students submit the AS grades of all opted subjects, they will have stronger International university applications.
As explained in the Cambridge International communication, schools can apply for withdrawal on account of Covid specific reasons no later than 18th June, 2021. Their fee will be credited to a future exam series. Students who may have already appeared for an exam component will not be able to withdraw their exam entries.
Before reaching a final decision it is important to consult the school head to understand the implications of your decision.
We hope that the decision you take proves to be in the best interest of your child. We wish you the very best at this challenging time.
School Administration Beaconhouse
