Circular to Centres 2006

GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE AND

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

Contents University of Cambridge International Examinations

1 Hills Road
New Syllabuses
Cambridge
Syllabuses Being CB1 2EU
Discontinued United Kingdom
Syllabuses Being
Revised
Telephone: +44 1223 553554
Other Changes to the
Fax: +44 1223 553558
Availability of
Syllabuses
Art and Design E-mail: [email protected]
Business Subjects Website: www.cie.org.uk
Computing and ICT
Subjects This major annual Circular to Centres provides advance notifications
Design and of changes to syllabuses, and it is therefore essential that the contents
Technology Subjects of this Circular are brought to the attention of the teaching staff
Drama concerned.
English Subjects
General Paper
Geography,
Development Studies
and National Studies
History and Classical
Studies
Home Economics
subjects
Languages other than
English
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Religious Subjects
Science Subjects
Thinking Skills

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NEW SYLLABUSES
code first code first
examination examination

0448 IGCSE Pakistan Studies June 2008 7094 O Level Bangladesh Studies June 2006
0449 IGCSE Bangladesh Studies June 2008 8663 AS Level Music June 2006
0471 IGCSE Travel and Tourism June 2007 9631 AS and A Level Design and Nov 2009
Textiles
0521 IGCSE First Language Korean June 2007 9676 A Level Urdu [not for Pakistan] Nov 2006
0543 IGCSE Greek June 2007 9694 AS and A Level Thinking Skills June 2007
0544 IGCSE Arabic June 2006 9703 AS Level and A Level Music June 2006
0549 IGCSE Hindi as a Second June 2007 9713 AS Level and A Level Applied ICT June 2008
Language

SYLLABUSES BEING DISCONTINUED

code final code final
examination examination

0535 IGCSE Italian June 2007 1251 HIGCSE Chemistry Oct 2007
1221 HIGCSE First Language Afrikaans Oct 2006 1252 HIGCSE Physics Oct 2007
1222 HIGCSE First Language German Oct 2006 1274 HIGCSE Art and Design Oct 2007*
1224 HIGCSE First Language Oct 2006 1275 HIGCSE Design and Technology Oct 2007
Oshikwanyama
1225 HIGCSE First Language Oct 2006 1276 HIGCSE Computer Studies Oct 2007*
Oshindonga
1226 HIGCSE First Language Silozi Oct 2006 3001 O Level Latin June 2006
1227 HIGCSE First Language Oct 2006 6020 O Level Music Nov 2006
Rukwangali
1231 HIGCSE Foreign Language Oct 2007* 6075 O Level Home Management Nov 2007
French
1232 HIGCSE Foreign Language Oct 2007 7040 O level Geometrical and Nov 2008
German Mechanical Drawing
1233 HIGCSE First Language Zulu Oct 2006 8436 AS Level Thinking Skills Nov 2006
(renumbered 9694)
1241 HIGCSE History Oct 2007 9332 A Level Dress and Textiles Nov 2008
1245 HIGCSE Business Studies Oct 2006 9351 A Level Geometrical and June 2006
Mechanical Drawing
* available after this date by special arrangement in Namibia only

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

SYLLABUSES BEING REVISED (See subject pages for further information.)

code First revised code First revised
examination examination
0418 IGCSE Information Technology June 2007 0637 IGCSE Child Development Nov 2007
0420 IGCSE Computer Studies June 2007 1240 HIGCSE Geography Oct 2006
0445 IGCSE Design and Technology June 2007 2058 O Level Islamiyat June 2009
0453 IGCSE Development Studies Nov 2008 2158 O Level History (World Affairs) June 2007
0460 IGCSE Geography June 2006 2217 O Level Geography June 2006
0486 IGCSE Literature in English June 2007 7010 O Level Computer Studies June 2007
0501 IGCSE First Language French June 2007 8129 AS Level French Language (Mauritius) Nov 2007*
0503 IGCSE First Language Dutch June 2007 8291 AS Level Environmental Management June 2008*
0504 IGCSE First Language Portuguese June 2007 8436 AS Level Thinking Skills June 2006
0505 IGCSE First Language German June 2007 8669 AS Level Chinese Literature Nov 2006*
0508 IGCSE First Language Arabic June 2008 8672 AS Level Portuguese Literature June 2006*
0510 IGCSE English as a Second Language June 2006 8675 AS Level Hindi Literature Nov 2006*
0513 IGCSE First Language Turkish June 2007 8679 AS Level Afrikaans Language Nov 2007*
0514 IGCSE First Language Czech June 2007 8680 AS Level Arabic Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007
0515 IGCSE Dutch June 2007 8681 AS Level Chinese Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
0516 IGCSE First Language Russian June 2007 8682 AS Level French Language June 2007*
0519 IGCSE Japanese Nov 2007 8683 AS Level German Language Nov 2007*
0520 IGCSE French June 2007 8684 AS Level Portuguese Language June 2007*
0525 IGCSE German June 2007 8685 AS Level Spanish Language June 2007*
0530 IGCSE Spanish June 2007 8686 AS Level Urdu Language June 2006*
June 2007*
0535 IGCSE Italian June 2007 8687 AS Level Hindi Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
0540 IGCSE Portuguese June 2007 8688 AS Level Marathi Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
0544 IGCSE Arabic June 2006 8689 AS Level Tamil Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
0545 IGCSE Indonesian Nov 2007 8690 AS Level Telugu Language Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
0546 IGCSE Malay June 2007 8957 Diploma in Travel and Tourism Jan 2006
(Standard)
0547 IGCSE Mandarin Chinese June 2007 8958 Diploma in Travel and Tourism Jan 2006
(Advanced)
0548 IGCSE Afrikaans as a 2nd Language Nov 2007 8960 Diploma in Computing June 2006
0580 IGCSE Mathematics [without coursework] June 2006 9084 AS and A Level Law June 2008*
0581 IGCSE Mathematics [with Coursework] June 2006 9094 A Level French (Mauritius) Nov 2007*

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3
9676 A Level Urdu Nov 2007*
9680 A Level Arabic Nov 2006* 9701 AS and A Level Chemistry June 2007
Nov 2007*
9686 A Level Urdu June 2006* 9702 AS and A Level Physics June 2007
June 2007*
9687 A Level Hindi Nov 2006* 9705 AS and A Level Design and Technology Nov 2007
Nov 2007*
9688 A Level Marathi Nov 2006* 9706 AS and A Level Accounting June 2007
Nov 2007*
9689 A Level Tamil Nov 2006* 9707 AS and A Level Business Studies June 2007
Nov 2007*
9690 A Level Telugu Nov 2006* 9715 A Level Chinese Nov 2006*
Nov 2007* Nov 2007*
9691 AS and A Level Computing June 2006 9716 A Level French June 2007*
9696 A Level Geography June 2006 9717 A Level German Nov 2006*
Nov 2007*
9698 AS and A Level Psychology June 2008* 9718 A Level Portuguese June 2006*
June 2007*
9700 AS and A Level Biology June 2007 9719 A Level Spanish June 2007*

*minor changes only

4
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

OTHER CHANGES TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SYLLABUSES

SYLLABUSES BEING REDUCED TO ONE EXAMINATION PER YEAR

to become final June final
examination November
examination
0525 IGCSE German June only - 2007
2159 O Level History of the Caribbean June only - 2005
2160 O Level History for candidates in Southern Nov only 2005 -
and Central Africa
3015 O Level French June only - 2007
3204 O Level Bengali (except for candidates in June only - 2007
Singapore, who are eligible for the November
session only)
3206 O Level Tamil (except for candidates in June only - 2006
Mauritius, who are eligible for the November
session only)
9705 AS and A Level Design and Technology Nov only 2005 -

SYLLABUSES BEING REDUCED TO TWO EXAMINATIONS PER YEAR

to become final
September
examination
1111 Checkpoint English April/May and Oct/Nov only 2006
1112 Checkpoint Mathematics April/May and Oct/Nov only 2006
1113 Checkpoint Science April/May and Oct/Nov only 2006

SYLLABUSES BEING INCREASED TO TWO EXAMINATIONS PER YEAR

first examination
0410 IGCSE Music (written papers taken in June and First Nov
coursework presented in November) aggregation 2006
0411 IGCSE Drama (written papers taken in June and First Nov
coursework presented in November) aggregation 2006

SYLLABUSES BEING MADE AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

with effect from
8283 AS Level Classical Studies Nov 2005

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5
SYLLABUSES BEING RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN AREAS
restricted to with effect from
3206 O Level Tamil (November only. Candidates outside Mauritius Nov 2007
Mauritius do the June session.)
3196 O Level Urdu Singapore Nov 2008
3199 O Level Gujarati Singapore Nov 2008
3203 O Level Panjabi Singapore Nov 2008
3204 O Level Bengali (November only. Candidates outside Singapore Nov 2008
Singapore do the June session.)
3249 O Level Burmese Singapore Nov 2008
3260 O Level Thai Singapore Nov 2008

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

ART AND DESIGN

HIGCSE Art and from 2008
Design, Syllabus
1274 This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in October
2007.

APRIL 2006
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7
 BUSINESS SUBJECTS
ACCOUNTING
O Level Principles From 2008
of Accounts,
Syllabus 7110 The following new scheme of assessment will be introduced.
duration marks weighting
1 Multiple Choice 1 hour 30 33.3%
2 Structured Questions 2 hours 120 66.6%
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) has been changed so that there will be 30 items to
answer in 1 hour instead of 40 items in 1¼ hours.
Paper 2 (Structured Questions) will increase in duration to 2 hours from 1¾
hours. There will be 120 marks on the paper. The final question will involve the
preparation of the final accounts of a manufacturing or a trading business;
previously it dealt with the final accounts of a trading business only.
There are also some changes to syllabus content. The order of some of the
content has been changed, and points of clarification have been given for other
areas of the syllabus. A new section on Payroll has been introduced.
Candidates will be expected to know about simple payroll records and the
book-keeping entries for payroll. Centres are advised to consult the new
syllabus for full details.
AS Level and A From 2007
Level Accounting,
Syllabus 9706 The content of the syllabus has been revised. Please see the syllabus for
details.
BUSINESS
Cambridge From 2006
International The number of modules comprising the core has been changed from three to
Diploma in two. The Core Modules are now Business Organisations and Environment and
Business Effective Business Communication. Business Finance is now available as an
Standard Level Optional Module. The financial element of the core module Business
(8922) Organisations and Environment has been supplemented by an additional
competence criterion dealing with financial records.
Advanced Level
(8923)
Candidates taking examinations for the first time after January 2006, i.e.
candidates who have not taken any of the modules before, will be registered
under the new scheme. Candidates who have already begun the Diploma
programme, i.e. who took modules before January 2006, are registered under
the previous scheme of assessment and will be expected to complete the three
core modules.

The number of modules comprising the full Diploma is Business has been
reduced from five to four. To achieve the full Diploma in Business at Standard
or Advanced Level candidates must successfully complete two Core Modules
and two from a choice of Optional Modules.
A Merit Grade will be introduced to the examined and assignment-based
modules.

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

BUSINESS STUDIES
HIGCSE Business from 2007
Studies, Syllabus
1245 This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in October
2006.
A Level Business from 2007
Studies, Syllabus
9707 There are minor changes to the syllabus.

COMMERCE
O Level from 2007
Commerce,
Syllabus 7100 The order of assessment topics has been changed but there is no change to
the content of topics.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Cambridge from 2006
International
Diploma in Office After December 2005 no entries from new candidates will be accepted.
Administration Candidates who start their courses in 2005 will be eligible to complete their
Foundation Level courses after December 2005, within 3 years of their first module entry.
(syllabus 8971),
Standard Level
(8972) and
Advanced Level
(8973)

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

IGCSE Travel and from 2007
Tourism, Syllabus
0471 This new syllabus will be available in June and November, starting in 2007.
The examination involves one compulsory paper and either coursework
covering The Marketing and Promotion of Visitor Services or a second paper
covering Marketing and Promotion.
The subject will fall into Group V (Creative, Technical and Vocational) of the
International Certificate of Education (ICE), together with Accounting, Art and
Design, Business Studies, Child Development, Computer Studies, Design and
Technology, Drama, Food and Nutrition, Information Technology, Music and
Physical Education.

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9
Cambridge from 2006
International
Diploma, Standard Revisions have been made to the layout and wording of the syllabus though
and Advanced there are few changes to the content. The Standard level syllabus includes a
Syllabuses 8957 new optional module, The Hospitality Sector, assessed by assignment. The
and 8958 Advanced Level syllabus also includes a new optional module, Applied
Customer Service, assessed by assignment.
CIE/IATA
CIE has entered an alliance with IATA to create a reciprocal programme of
recognition for CIE Standard Core Module and IATA/UFTAA Foundation Air
Fare and Ticketing 1 + Electronic Booking Tools. Please contact
[email protected] for more details.
Grading
A Merit Grade will be introduced to the examined and assignment-based
modules.

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

COMPUTING AND ICT SUBJECTS

IGCSE IT, Syllabus from 2006
0418
As announced previously, Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be merged into one written
paper from 2006. The new written paper of 120 marks will assess the skills in
Assessment Objective B. The paper will contain mainly questions requiring a
short response, a word, a phrase or one or two sentences, although there will
be some questions requiring a more extended response. There will be no
choice of questions. The questions will test sections 1 - 8 of the curriculum
content.
from 2007
The content of syllabus has been revised. Please see the syllabus for details.
Specimen Papers are available for the revised syllabus. Holders of specific
modules of the Diploma in ICT will no longer be exempt from the practical
papers.
IGCSE Computer from 2007
Studies 0420
Revisions have been made to the Coursework Assessment Criteria and the
Curriculum Objectives - refer to syllabus for details.
HIGCSE Computer from 2008
Studies, Syllabus
1276 This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in October
2007.
O Level Computer from 2007
Studies 7010 Revisions have been made to the Coursework Assessment Criteria and the
Curriculum Objectives - refer to syllabus for details.
Cambridge ICT Question Papers
Starters, 8954,
8985, 8986 CIE Question Papers are now available for Cambridge International Centres
that are registered for Cambridge ICT Starters. Please contact
[email protected] for more details. These papers are available in
English and will be available in Spanish in 2006.
Endorsed Text Books
Cambridge University Press are publishing revised versions of the endorsed
text books. The Initial Steps and Next Steps books are now available. On
Track versions will be available during 2006. These revised publications are
linked to pupil resources downloadable from a website hosted by Danawa.
AS Level and A from 2006
Level Computing,
Syllabus 9691 As announced previously, Paper 1 will be extended to 2½ hours.
Paper 2 will be a short programming project.
There will be no changes to the structure of Papers 3 and 4.
AS Level and A from 2008
Level Applied
Information and This new syllabus will be available in June and November, starting in 2008.
Communications The examination involves four compulsory components, with one theory paper
Technology, and one practical test at either level. It provides a direct progression route for
syllabus 9713 0418 IGCSE Information Technology, but is open to candidates aiming at
applied ICT skills at this level.

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11
Cambridge from 2007
International
Diploma IT Skills, The continuation of this syllabus for new candidates will be reviewed based on
Foundation and the outcome of the pilot scheme for the new qualification CLAiT (Computer
Standard Literacy and Information Technology), scheduled for the first half of 2006.
Syllabuses 8931
and 8932

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY SUBJECTS

IGCSE Design and from 2007
Technology,
Syllabus 0445 This syllabus has been revised for 2007. Specimen papers are available on
CD.
HIGCSE Design from 2008
and Technology,
Syllabus 1275 This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in October
2007.
O Level from 2009
Geometrical and
Mechanical This syllabus will be withdrawn. The last examination will be in November
Drawing, Syllabus 2008.
7040
A Level Please note the following special topics for Paper 2:
Geometrical and
Mechanical 2006 June examination Hydraulic Systems
Drawing, Syllabus
As announced previously, this syllabus will be withdrawn from 2007. The last
9351
examination will be in 2006.
AS Level and A from 2006
Level Design and
Technology, After 2005, this syllabus will no longer be examined in the June session.
Syllabus 9705
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Design and
Technology, This syllabus will be revised for 2007. Specimen papers will be available soon.
Syllabus 9705

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13
 DRAMA
IGCSE Drama from 2006
Syllabus 0411
This syllabus will be available for candidates wishing to aggregate in
November. Candidates must take the written paper in the June session of the
same calendar year and may then submit their coursework in November.
Results will be issued after the November session.

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 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

ENGLISH SUBJECTS
IGCSE Literature in from 2007
English, Syllabus
0486 Teachers are reminded that revisions are being introduced for the examination
from June 2007. The percentage weightings of the components remain
unchanged. There is some rewording and restructuring of the syllabus Aims
and Objectives section, but this does not change the ways in which students
and teachers prepare for the examination, nor the style and requirements of
the questions.
Paper 1 (Open Books): Candidates must answer on one text from each of the
three sections: Drama, Poetry, Prose. Student annotation, highlighting and
underlining will not be permitted in set texts taken into the examination room
from 2007 for this component.
Paper 2 (Coursework Portfolio): From 2007 this will be made up of two
assignments. One of the assignments may be on a text being prepared for
Paper 1. There is no requirement to cover different genres.
Paper 3 (Unseen): The duration of the paper will be 1 hour 20 minutes.
(Students are advised to spend about 20 minutes reading the paper and
planning their answer.) There will be a choice of poetry and prose passages;
students will answer on one passage.
Paper 4 (Closed Books): There are no changes to this component.
IGCSE English as a from 2006
Second Language,
Syllabus 0510 As announced previously, with effect from the 2006 examinations, the Reading
and Writing component (Paper 1 Core tier; Paper 2 Extended tier) has been
revised in the light of consultation with Centres. There will be a reduction in the
total number of exercises (and some changes in the mark allocations for
particular exercises), and a clearer signposting of where Reading and Writing
skills are being tested. There will be a new note-making task in Paper 1, and a
new information-transfer / form-filling task in Paper 2. Duration and overall
weighting in the examination remain unchanged, and no fundamental changes
are envisaged to the ways in which teachers and candidates prepare for the
component. For full details teachers must consult the syllabus booklet.
Specimen papers are also available on CIE’s website.
IGCSE English as a from 2008
Second Language,
Syllabus 0510 Minor changes to the wording used to identify questions on Papers 3 and 4 will
come into effect in 2008. Changes to the oral assessment criteria descriptors
for Papers 5 and 6 will also come into effect in 2008. This rewording does not
change the way in which candidates and teachers prepare for the examination,
nor the style and requirements of the questions.
Checkpoint from 2007
English, Syllabus
1111 The September test will no longer be available. The April/May test session and
the October/November test session will continue to be available.
The last September test will be in 2006.

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15
O Level Literature 2007, 2008
in English, Syllabus
2010 Teachers are advised that in both the June and November sessions of years
2007 and 2008 the question paper will include questions on Twelfth Night.
AS Level and A 2007
Level Literature in
English, 9695 Error in 2007 syllabus
In the 2006 syllabus the text The Comedy of Errors has an asterisk to indicate
that it is also set in 2007. However, it does not appear in the 2007 syllabus
booklet. In the June 2007 and November 2007 question papers, questions will
be set on The Comedy of Errors as well as on the two Shakespeare texts in
the 2007 syllabus, Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar.

16
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

GENERAL PAPER
AS Level General from 2006
Paper, Syllabuses
8001/02 and As advised previously, Centres should note that the three different question
8009/02 types for Paper 2 from 2006 onwards may appear in a different order from
previous papers. Centres are reminded to advise candidates to read the whole
paper before deciding which questions to answer.

APRIL 2006
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17
 GEOGRAPHY, DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AND NATIONAL STUDIES
GEOGRAPHY
IGCSE Geography, from 2006
Syllabus 0460
As announced previously, this syllabus has undergone some revision. The
main changes concern a reduction in content in Themes 2 and 3. Papers 2
and 4 will each have a combined question paper and answer booklet.
HIGCSE from 2006
Geography,
Syllabus 1240 As announced previously, this syllabus has undergone some revision. The
main changes concern a reduction in content in Themes 2 and 3 of Section A.
Section B remains unchanged.
O Level from 2006
Geography,
Syllabus 2217 As announced previously, this syllabus has undergone some revision. The
main changes concern a reduction in content in Themes 2 and 3. Paper 2 will
have a combined question paper and answer booklet.
A Level from 2006
Geography,
Syllabus 9696 Papers 2 and 3 are currently combined in one booklet and have a time
allocation of 3 hours. As announced previously, from 2006 these will become
separate question papers of 1½ hours' duration each. Both will be timetabled
for the same examination session, and a short break (maximum 15 minutes)
will be allowed between the papers to allow for the collection of Paper 2 scripts
and the distribution of question papers for Paper 3.
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
IGCSE from 2008
Development
Studies, Syllabus A revised syllabus will be examined for the first time in November 2008.
0453
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
AS Level from 2008
Environmental
Management, Some minor changes have been made to the wording of the syllabus content
Syllabus 8291 to provide more detail.
PAKISTAN STUDIES
IGCSE from 2008
Pakistan Studies,
Syllabus 0448 An IGCSE version of Pakistan Studies will be examined for the first time from
June 2008. For full details please consult the syllabus. Specimen question
papers and mark schemes will be available shortly.
BANGLADESH STUDIES
IGCSE Bangladesh from 2008
Studies, Syllabus
0449 An IGCSE version of Bangladesh Studies will be examined for the first time in
June 2008. For full details please consult the syllabus, which contains
specimen question papers and mark schemes. An online pilot textbook and
scheme of work are also available, as well as an email discussion group for
teachers. In addition, a student revision checklist will shortly be available

18
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

O Level from 2006

Bangladesh
Studies, Syllabus As announced previously, the new syllabus for Bangladesh Studies is
7094 examined for the first time in June 2006 and is supported with specimen
question papers, mark schemes, online pilot textbook, scheme of work and an
email discussion group for teachers. In addition, a student revision checklist
will shortly be available.

APRIL 2006
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19
 HISTORY AND CLASSICAL STUDIES
IGCSE History, from 2007
Syllabus 0470
The duration of Paper 1 will change from 1 hour 45 minutes, to 2 hours.
HIGCSE History, from 2008
Syllabus 1241
This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in October
2007.
O Level World from 2007
Affairs since 1919,
Syllabus 2158 This syllabus will become World Affairs 1917-1991. There will be minor
adjustments in the syllabus details, but the overall structure remains
unchanged. A specimen question paper will be produced.
O Level History of from 2006
the Caribbean,
Syllabus 2159 As announced previously, this syllabus will be examined in June only from
2006. The last November examination was in November 2005.
O Level History for from 2006
candidates in
Southern and As announced previously, this syllabus will be examined in November only
Central Africa, from 2006. The last June examination was in June 2005.
Syllabus 2160

AS Level Classical from 2005

Studies, Syllabus This syllabus has been generally available since the November 2005
8283 examination.

20
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

HOME ECONOMICS SUBJECTS

CHILD DEVELOPMENT
IGCSE Child from 2007
Development,
Paper 1 – All questions will be compulsory. The paper will consist of Section A
Syllabus 0637
- a number of short-answer questions; Section B - 2 structured questions;
Section C - 1 essay question.
Paper 2 – The Child Development Study – The assessment criteria have been
modified and the allocation of marks within each section of the mark scheme
has been changed to reflect the new criteria.
Paper 3 - Practical Investigation - The candidate should have a product, such
as a booklet or an information sheet for parents as the outcome of the
Investigation. The Investigation should focus on producing a booklet, leaflet, or
similar informational literature, which could be used to help explain the findings
of the Investigation to parents or other interested parties. The assessment
criteria have been amended to reflect the change in focus. The allocation of
marks within each section of the mark scheme has also been changed.
Please see syllabus booklet for details.
DRESS AND TEXTILES / DESIGN AND TEXTILES
A Level Syllabus A Level from 2009 (AS Level from 2008)
9332 replaced by
Syllabus 9332 will be examined for the last time in November 2008, after which
AS Level and A it will be replaced by the new AS and A Level Design and Textiles, syllabus
Level Design and code 9631. The AS Level papers will be available for first examination in
Textiles, Syllabus
9631
November 2008 and the full A Level will be available for first examination in
November 2009.
There are three pathways available to candidates:
(a) Those candidates who wish to take the whole of the Advanced Level
qualification at the end of a two-year course of study take all four
components together. If they are doing so in 2009 they must be taught
for the new syllabus and must submit their Practical (Paper 2) and
Coursework (Paper 4) by 31 October 2009.
(b) Those candidates taking only an AS Level take components 1 and 2
only. This option will be examined for the first time in 2008. The
Practical (Paper 2) must be submitted by 31 October 2008.
(c) Those candidates who wish to follow a staged assessment route to A
Level may take the AS for the new syllabus as above in 2008 They
would then take components 3 and 4 in 2009, submitting the
Coursework (Paper 4) by 31 October 2009.
The new syllabus booklet, together with specimen papers and mark schemes,
is now available.
HOME MANAGEMENT
O Level Home from 2008
Management,
Syllabus 6075 This syllabus will not be available. The last examination will be in November
2007.

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21
 LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH
IGCSE First from 2007
Language:
French, 0501 These syllabuses have been completely revised for first examination in June
Dutch, 0503 2007. Please see syllabus for details. Specimen papers are available on the
Portuguese, CIE website.
0504
German, 0505
Turkish, 0513
Czech, 0514
Russian, 0516
IGCSE First from 2008
Language Arabic,
Syllabus 0508 This syllabus has been completely revised for first examination in June 2008.
Please see syllabus for details. Specimen papers will be available on the CIE
website.
IGCSE Japanese from 2007
Syllabus 0519
All candidates will be required to attempt two role plays for Paper 3 Speaking.
Please see syllabus for details.
IGCSE Languages: from 2007
Dutch, 0515
French, 0520 In June 2007 and thereafter, Centres entering for these examinations should
German, 0525 ensure that all candidates (both Core and Extended) attempt all three sections
Spanish, 0530 of Paper 1 Listening and Paper 2 Reading and Directed Writing. Please see
syllabus for details.
In June 2007 and thereafter, Listening tests will be presented on CD and not
on cassette.
IGCSE German, from 2008
Syllabus 0525
This syllabus will be available in the June session only from 2008. The last
November examination will be in November 2007.
IGCSE Italian, from 2007
Syllabus 0535
In 2007 Centres entering for this examination should ensure that all candidates
(both Core and Extended) attempt all 3 sections of Paper 2 Reading and
Directed Writing. Please see syllabus for details.
from 2008
This syllabus will not be available in and after 2008. The last examination will
be in June 2007.
IGCSE Languages: From 2007
Portuguese, 0540
Indonesian, 0545 In 2007 and thereafter, Centres entering for these examinations should ensure
Malay, 0546 that all candidates (both Core and Extended) attempt all 3 sections of Paper 2
Mandarin Chinese, Reading and Directed Writing. Please see syllabus for details.
0547
IGCSE Greek, from 2007
Syllabus 0543
IGCSE Greek will be examined for the first time in 2007. This is a foreign
language syllabus and will be available in June only. Specimen papers are
available on the CIE website.
IGCSE First from 2007
Language Korean,
Syllabus 0521 IGCSE First Language Korean will be examined for the first time in 2007 and
will be available in June and November. Specimen papers are available on the
CIE website.

22
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

IGCSE Arabic, from 2006

Syllabus 0544
IGCSE Arabic will be examined for the first time in 2006. This is a foreign
language syllabus and will be available in June only.
Amendment to syllabus
Centres entering for this syllabus should ensure that all candidates (both Core
and Extended) attempt all 3 sections of Paper 2 Reading and Directed Writing.
IGCSE Afrikaans from 2007
as a Second
Language, Syllabus A revised IGCSE Afrikaans as a Second Language will be examined for the
0548 first time in 2007. This syllabus will be available in November only. Specimen
papers are available on the CIE website and CDs for Paper 2 can be ordered
from Publications.
IGCSE Hindi as a from 2007
Second Language,
Syllabus 0549 IGCSE Hindi as a Second Language will be examined for the first time in 2007.
This syllabus will be available in June only. Specimen papers are available on
the CIE website and CDs for Paper 2 can be ordered from Publications.
HIGCSE First from 2007
Languages:
Afrikaans, 1221 These syllabuses will not be available. The last examinations will be in October
German, 1222 2006.
Oshikwanyama,
1224
Oshindonga, 1225
Silozi, 1226
Rukwangali, 1227
Zulu, 1233
HIGCSE Foreign from 2008
Language:
French, 1231 These syllabuses will not be available. The last examinations will be in October
German, 1232 2007.
O Level Latin, from 2007
Syllabus 3001
This syllabus will not be available in and after 2007. The last examination will
be in June 2006.
O Level French, from 2008
Syllabus 3015
This syllabus will be available in the June session only from 2008. The last
November examination will be in November 2007.
O Level Urdu, 3196 from 2008
Gujarati, 3199
Panjabi, 3203 These syllabuses will not be available after November 2007, except to
Bengali, 3204 candidates in Singapore.
Burmese, 3249
Thai, 3260
O Level from 2008
Bengali,
Syllabus 3204 The final November session of this syllabus, except for candidates in
Singapore, will be November 2007. In November 2008 and thereafter the
November session of this syllabus will only be available to candidates in
Singapore.
The June session is available to all candidates.

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

23
O Level Tamil, from 2007
Syllabus 3206
The final November session of this syllabus, except for candidates in Mauritius,
will be November 2006. In November 2007 and thereafter the November
session of this syllabus will only be available to candidates in Mauritius.
The June session is available to all candidates, except for those in Mauritius,
who must take the November session.
O Level Urdu from 2006
First
Language, In Paper 2: Texts, an alternative prescribed text – Dastak Na Do, Altaf Fatima
3247 – has been added to Section 2: Prose/Short Stories. A specimen paper is
available on the CIE website and can be ordered from Publications.
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Languages
other than English In 2007 and thereafter the list of Set Topics for the Essay paper, published
annually in the syllabus booklet, will consist of 5 Topics instead of 6.

AS Level: from 2006

Chinese Literature,
As announced previously, in 2006 and thereafter the list of Set Texts will
8669
Hindi Literature, consist of 6 texts (3 per section), and not 8.
8675
Portuguese
Literature, 8672

A Level:
Arabic, 9680
Chinese, 9715
German, 9717
Hindi, 9687
Marathi, 9688
Portuguese, 9718
Tamil, 9689
Telugu, 9690
Urdu, 9686
A Level Urdu, from 2006
Syllabuses 9676
and 9686 Candidates not in Pakistan will enter for Syllabus 9676, which consists of
components 2, 3, 4 and 5. Available in November only.
Candidates in Pakistan will enter for Syllabus 9686, which consists of
components 2, 3 and 4. Available in June and November.

24
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

AS Level: Arabic from 2006

Language, 8680
Chinese Language, In 2006 and thereafter, Component 1 (Speaking) will no longer be available.
8681
Hindi Language,
8687
Marathi Language,
8688
Tamil Language,
8689
Telugu Language,
8690
Urdu Language,
8686

A Level:
Arabic, 9680
Chinese, 9715
Hindi, 9687
Marathi, 9688
Tamil, 9689
Telugu, 9690
Urdu, 9686

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

25
 MATHEMATICS
AICE Half Credit from 2006
Mathematics:
Statistics, Syllabus As announced previously, this syllabus will not be available in and after 2006.
0390 The last examination was in November 2005.

IGCSE from 2006

Mathematics
As announced previously, these syllabuses have been revised in the light of
[without
Coursework], comments received from Centres. Most of the revisions are minor adjustments
Syllabus 0580 to subject content.
IGCSE
Mathematics [with
Coursework],
Syllabus 0581
Checkpoint from 2007
Mathematics,
Syllabus 1112 The September test will no longer be available. The April/May test session and
the October/November test session will continue to be available.
The last September test will be in 2006.
AS Level Higher from 2006
Mathematics,
Syllabus 8719 As announced previously, this syllabus will not be available in and after 2006.
The last examination was in November 2005.

26
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

MUSIC
IGCSE Music, from 2006
Syllabus 0410
As previously announced, in 2006 and thereafter, the list of Prescribed Works
for Component 2 will consist of two works, not four. Notes for Guidance for the
use of teachers preparing the Prescribed Works are available on the CIE
website and will be available in the syllabus from 2007 onwards.
from 2006
This syllabus will be available for candidates wishing to aggregate in
November from 2006. Candidates must take the written papers (Papers 1 and
2) in the June session of the same calendar year and may submit their
coursework (Components 3 and 4) in November. Results will be issued after
the November session.
O Level Music, from 2007
Syllabus 6020
This syllabus will not be available in and after 2007. The last examination will
be in November 2006. Centres should see the entry for IGCSE Music, Syllabus
0410, above for details of November aggregation.
AS Level and A from 2006
Level Music,
A new AS Level and A Level Music syllabus (syllabus code 9703) will be
Syllabus 9703,
8663 examined for the first time in June 2006. The new syllabus will be available in
both the June and the November examinations. All components will be
available in June. In November, however, candidates must have already taken
the AS qualification (9703 Papers 1 and 2) in the previous June’s examination.
They will then carry forward their AS result and choose 2 additional
components from 3, 4 and 5. Notes for Guidance are available on the CIE
website.
AS Level Music, from 2006
Syllabus 8663
A new AS Level Music syllabus (syllabus code 8663) will be examined for the
first time in June 2006. This syllabus is available only as a stand-alone AS
Level qualification. Results in this syllabus cannot be used to contribute
towards the A Level qualification. The new syllabus is available in the June
examination only. Notes for Guidance are available on the CIE website.

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

27
 PHYSICAL EDUCATION

IGCSE Physical This subject falls into Group V (Creative, Technical and Vocational) of the
Education, Syllabus International Certificate of Education (ICE), together with Accounting, Art and
0413 Design, Business Studies, Child Development, Computer Studies, Design and
Technology, Drama, Food and Nutrition, Information Technology, Music and
(from 2007) Travel and Tourism.
AS Level Physical from 2008
Education, Syllabus
Some changes have been made to the wording of the syllabus content to
8666
provide more detail and clarification of the teaching content.

PSYCHOLOGY
AS Level and A from 2008
Level Psychology,
Syllabus 9698 There are minor changes to the syllabus content with effect from the June
2008 examination.

RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS
O Level Islamiyat, from 2009
Syllabus 2058
This syllabus will be revised with effect from the June 2009 examination.

28
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

SCIENCE SUBJECTS
BIOLOGY
AS Level and A from 2005
Level Biology,
Syllabus 9700 All 9700 Biology practical examinations will require a microscope of the
following specification:
• Low-power objective lens, e.g. X10 (equal to 16 mm or 2/3”)
• High-power objective lens, e.g. X40 (equal to 4 mm or 1/6”)
• Eyepiece graticule fitted within the eyepiece and visible in focus at the same
time as the specimen
Questions do not always explicitly refer to the use of the graticule, but in
answering all questions, candidates will find the graticule of benefit in ensuring
that they have accurately represented the proportions of the specimens
provided. It is strongly recommended that microscopes of this type be used
throughout the course for teaching of appropriate practical skills so that
candidates are familiar with their use.
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Biology,
Syllabus 9700 Following two consultation exercises, the sections of the syllabus on practical
skills and on the A2 options have both been changed.
Practical skills have been more clearly described using learning outcomes, and
have been more clearly divided between AS and A2. The AS assessment of
practical skills, Paper 3, will continue to be a laboratory-based practical paper.
It has been extended in length and its weighting has been increased. The A2
assessment of practical skills will be a written paper assessing planning,
analysis and evaluation, instead of a laboratory-based paper.
The options have been replaced with a single, compulsory section on
Applications of Biology. This will be assessed in an extended Paper 4, and
there will no longer be a Paper 6.
The new scheme of assessment will be as follows:
duration weighting
(% of A Level)
1 Multiple Choice (AS) 1 hour 15%
2 Structured Questions (AS) 1 h 15 min 23%
3 Advanced Practical Skills (AS) 2 hours 12%
4 Structured Questions (A2) 2 hours 38%
5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (A2) 1 h 30 min 12%
Candidates for Advanced Subsidiary Level must take Papers 1, 2 and 3.
Candidates for Advanced Level must take all five papers.
Care must be taken to prepare candidates using the correct syllabus
documents in 2006 and 2007, particularly for candidates entering the staged
assessment route (in which the AS and ‘A2’ components are taken in separate
examination sessions) or for repeats of examinations taken in a previous

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

29
 session.
Syllabus documents apply to the year in which the examination is taken.
• The syllabus for 2006 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2006 and November 2006 sessions.
• The syllabus for 2007 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2007 and November 2007 sessions.
Staged assessment route
Candidates who take a staged assessment route, with their AS papers in 2006
and their ‘A2’ papers in 2007, will take their AS papers as described in the
2006 syllabus and their ‘A2’ papers as described in the 2007 syllabus. The AS
part of the course should be taught from the 2006 syllabus and the ‘A2’ part of
the course should be taught from the 2007 syllabus.
Repeat candidates
Students who took their papers in 2006 and wish to repeat in 2007 will need to
do some additional work in order to ensure that they have fully covered the
2007 syllabus.

30
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

SCIENCE SUBJECTS (continued)

CHEMISTRY
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Chemistry,
Syllabus 9701 Following two consultation exercises, the sections of the syllabus on practical
skills and on the A2 options have both been changed.
Practical skills have been more clearly described using learning outcomes, and
have been more clearly divided between AS and A2. The AS assessment of
practical skills, Paper 3, will continue to be a laboratory-based practical paper.
It has been extended in length and its weighting has been increased. The A2
assessment of practical skills will be a written paper assessing planning,
analysis and evaluation, instead of a laboratory-based paper.
The options have been replaced with a single, compulsory section on
Applications of Chemistry. This will be assessed in an extended Paper 4, and
there will no longer be a Paper 6.
The new scheme of assessment will be as follows:
duration weighting
(% of A Level)
1 Multiple Choice (AS) 1 hour 15%
2 Structured Questions (AS) 1 h 15 min 23%
3 Advanced Practical Skills (AS) 2 hours 12%
4 Structured Questions (A2) 1 h 45 min 38%
5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (A2) 1 h 30 min 12%
Candidates for Advanced Subsidiary Level must take Papers 1, 2 and 3.
Candidates for Advanced Level must take all five papers.
Care must be taken to prepare candidates using the correct syllabus
documents in 2006 and 2007, particularly for candidates entering the staged
assessment route (in which the AS and ‘A2’ components are taken in separate
examination sessions) or for repeats of examinations taken in a previous
session.
Syllabus documents apply to the year in which the examination is taken.
• The syllabus for 2006 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2006 and November 2006 sessions.
• The syllabus for 2007 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2007 and November 2007 sessions.
Staged assessment route
Candidates who take a staged assessment route, with their AS papers in 2006
and their ‘A2’ papers in 2007, will take their AS papers as described in the
2006 syllabus and their ‘A2’ papers as described in the 2007 syllabus. The AS
part of the course should be taught from the 2006 syllabus and the ‘A2’ part of
the course should be taught from the 2007 syllabus.
Repeat candidates
Students who took their papers in 2006 and wish to repeat in 2007 will need to
do some additional work in order to ensure that they have fully covered the
2007 syllabus.

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

31
 SCIENCE SUBJECTS (continued)
PHYSICS
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Physics,
Syllabus 9701 Following two consultation exercises, the sections of the syllabus on practical
skills and on the A2 options have both been changed.
Practical skills have been more clearly described using learning outcomes, and
have been more clearly divided between AS and A2. The AS assessment of
practical skills, Paper 3, will continue to be a laboratory-based practical paper.
It has been extended in length and its weighting has been increased. The A2
assessment of practical skills will be a written paper assessing planning,
analysis and evaluation, instead of a laboratory-based paper.
The options have been replaced with a single, compulsory section on
Applications of Physics. This will be assessed in an extended Paper 4, and
there will no longer be a Paper 6.
The new scheme of assessment will be as follows:
duration weighting
(% of A Level)
1 Multiple Choice (AS) 1 hour 15%
2 Structured Questions (AS) 1 hour 23%
3 Advanced Practical Skills (AS) 2 hours 12%
4 Structured Questions (A2) 1 h 45 min 38%
5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (A2) 1 h 30 min 12%
Candidates for Advanced Subsidiary Level must take Papers 1, 2 and 3.
Candidates for Advanced Level must take all five papers.
Care must be taken to prepare candidates using the correct syllabus
documents in 2006 and 2007, particularly for candidates entering the staged
assessment route (in which the AS and ‘A2’ components are taken in separate
examination sessions) or for repeats of examinations taken in a previous
session.
Syllabus documents apply to the year in which the examination is taken.
• The syllabus for 2006 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2006 and November 2006 sessions.
• The syllabus for 2007 gives the format of the examinations that will be held
in the June 2007 and November 2007 sessions.
Staged assessment route
Candidates who take a staged assessment route, with their AS papers in 2006
and their ‘A2’ papers in 2007, will take their AS papers as described in the
2006 syllabus and their ‘A2’ papers as described in the 2007 syllabus. The AS
part of the course should be taught from the 2006 syllabus and the ‘A2’ part of
the course should be taught from the 2007 syllabus.
Repeat candidates
Students who took their papers in 2006 and wish to repeat in 2007 will need to
do some additional work in order to ensure that they have fully covered the
2007 syllabus.

32
 Circular to Centres 2006
GCE O, AS AND A LEVEL, IGCSE, HIGCSE, AICE, CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

SCIENCE
Checkpoint from 2007
Science, Syllabus
1113 The September test will no longer be available. The April/May test session and
the October/November test session will continue to be available.
The last September test will be in 2006.

APRIL 2006
Please distribute the relevant pages to all teaching staff concerned.

33
 THINKING SKILLS
AS Level Thinking from 2006
Skills, Syllabus
8436 There will be a new syllabus for the examination in this subject.

from 2007
Syllabus 8436 will be superseded by syllabus 9694 (see below).
AS Level and A from 2007
Level Thinking
Skills, Syllabus Thinking Skills will be available at Advanced Level for the first time.
9694 The syllabus content and method of assessment (Papers 1 and 2) for the
Advanced Subsidiary Level will be the same as for 2006.
For the Advanced Level candidates will also take Paper 3 ‘Problem Solving
and Critical Thinking (Advanced)’ and Paper 4 ‘Applied Reasoning’.
First examination will be in June 2007. Specimen Papers will be available in
2006.

34