CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAS

	Cambridge International Diplomas in IT Skills

Aim The aim of the Diploma in IT Skills is to assess a candidate’s ability to use Information Technology effectively when using specific software applications. Within each application area, candidates will be required to enter and manipulate data, work closely to given specifications and successfully complete a range of tasks as specified. During the assessments, they will be required to edit, copy, save and/or print the data on which they are working as appropriate. Target Group Diploma in IT Skills is predominantly aimed at students aged between 7 and 16 years. The qualifications are suitable for those at primary and secondary education levels. There are two levels with a full Diploma certificate and individual module certificates available at each. Foundation Level Standard Level Application Module Status Form of Assessment Using the Computer and Managing Files Core Module 45 minute practical task Word Processing Core Module 45 minute practical task Spreadsheets Core Module 45 minute practical task Electronic Communication Core Module 45 minute practical task Databases Optional Module 45 minute practical task Presentations Optional Module 45 minute practical task Foundation Level The Foundation Level Award is designed for anyone who wishes to develop basic competence in specific IT applications and to gain a broad introduction to practical, work-related IT skills. It is suitable for students, employees and trainees who wish to develop practical IT skills and for those who wish to receive recognition for basic IT competence that they may already possess. Basic competence in keyboarding skills, the use of a mouse and the ability to load an application are assumed. Knowledge of general principles and procedures in the use of IT hardware and software is encouraged to be taught alongside the practical IT skills. Standard Level The Standard Level Award is designed for anyone who has already gained a broad introduction to work-related IT skills and wishes to further develop competence in specific IT applications. It is suitable for students, employees and trainees who wish to develop practical IT skills and for those who wish to receive recognition for IT competence that they may already possess. Basic competence in keyboarding skills, the use of a mouse and the ability to load an application are assumed. Knowledge of general principles and procedures in the use of IT hardware and software is encouraged to be taught alongside the practical IT skills. Learning Hours and Course Structures There is no fixed guide to the learning hours required for the individual modules or for the full Award. It is, however, expected that about 10 hours per module, or about 50 hours for the full award, will be sufficient for most students who start with little or no background knowledge of, or competence in, IT skills. CIE considers that there are various effective methods of developing IT skills, including tutorials spread over  weeks or months, intensive training programmes, on-the-job training or other supervised work experience, and distance learning. There is, therefore, no single prescribed course structure leading to the Cambridge Skills Awards in IT. Award structure The Application Modules available in the Cambridge Skills Award are as shown below: Each skill area can be tested separately as and when a candidate is ready and when the centre is able to schedule and accommodate the assessment process. All candidates will receive immediate feedback of results indicating how well they have performed and whether or not they have passed the module assessment. Successful candidates can receive a Statement of Results that is issued locally by the Registered Centre There are two kinds of services available in this diploma 1. Standard Service In this standard service the candidate receives a certificate from British Council Pakistan on successful completion of each module and once all the modules are completed a certificate from Cambridge is issued. 2. Premiere Service In this premiere service the candidate receives a certificate from Cambridge University on successful completion of each module and once all the modules are completed a consolidated final certificate from Cambridge is issued.