Cambridge Certificate and High School Admissions: Do Children Get Extra Points?

Has your child received a Cambridge Certificate in English, and is he or she awaiting admission to high school? Many parents wonder if this certificate can bring an advantage and earn extra points in the admissions process. The answer is: sometimes yes, if you choose a school that accepts it. In this article, you will learn when a Cambridge Certificate can help with admissions, how schools award extra points, and why it is worth obtaining one.

Some bilingual grammar schools or high schools with extended English instruction award bonus points in the admissions process or exemption from the English language entrance exam for obtaining a Cambridge Certificate.

 

What is a Cambridge Certificate, and what are its levels?

The Cambridge Certificate is an internationally recognised document of the level of English language proficiency that a child receives after successfully passing a language exam organised by the University of Cambridge.

International House Bratislava is an accredited open examination centre for these exams.

A2 Key (KET)

Basic level of English. The child understands simple sentences, can introduce themselves, ask for directions, and order food.

B1 Preliminary (PET)

Intermediate level. The child can communicate in everyday situations, understand simple texts, can hold a conversation about hobbies, school, and travel.

B2 First (FCE)

Advanced level. The student can communicate fluently, argue, read more complex texts, and write essays or letters. B2 is often a requirement for studying or working abroad.

C1 Advanced (CAE)

Very advanced level. The child understands complex texts, academic English, controls subtle meanings, can write longer texts and defend their opinions with arguments at a high level.


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Can the Cambridge certificate increase the chance of admission to secondary school?

Not all schools take the certificate into account, but many bilingual grammar schools or language classes take it into account for points or exempt children from part of the English entrance exams.
In practice, this can mean:

• Plus points in addition to the results of the entrance exams
• The possibility of priority in the event of equality of points
• An advantage in being placed in an advanced language group from the 1st grade.

 

Which schools take the Cambridge certificate into account?

Each school has its own rules. Most grammar schools mainly score the results of Test 9 and the entrance exams in SJ and mathematics. However, bilingual and language schools often offer +5 to +10 extra points or other advantages.

Obtaining a Cambridge certificate is therefore not only worth it as an investment in the child's language skills, but can also be a real advantage in the admissions process to the secondary school of your dreams.

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