One curriculum, three Cambridge exams.
Playpen follows the Cambridge curriculum from its Elementary stage up to the Senior stage. In the Senior stage the school prepares students for the examinations of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) at three levels: Ordinary Level (O Level), Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced Level (A Level).
-
- Playgroup
- Nursery
- KG I
- KG II
-
- Class I
- Class II
- Class III
-
- Class IV
- Class V
- Class VI
- Class VII
-
- Class VIII
- Class IX
- Class X
- Class XI
- Class XII
O Level · AS · A Level
- O Level
- Electives are chosen in Class VIII, after the second-semester examinations. A student sits at least six subjects, three of them compulsory.
- AS and A Level
- Entry in Class XI, on the school's mock examinations and the O Level result. A student takes at least three subjects.
- Where
- Since 2020 the school has been a Cambridge exam venue, approved by the British Council. Students sit their exams in the school's own hall.
O Level, AS and A Level, side by side.
The table sets O Level beside AS and A Level, using what the school has published about each.
| What is compared | O Level | AS and A Level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum subjects | Six | Three at A Level |
| Compulsory subjects | English Language, Bengali and Mathematics (Syllabus D) | None listed by the school |
| Subjects on offer | Twelve | Eleven, each at AS and at A Level; Further Mathematics and Psychology are taught at these levels only |
| How a student gets there | Electives are chosen in Class VIII, after the second-semester examinations | Admission to Class XI, based on the school's mock examinations and the O Level result |
| At Playpen since | The first candidate sat the examination in 2003 | A Level classes began in 2013; the first A Level batch enrolled in 2015 |
Senior School and AS and A Level list the subjects. The school confirms the subjects it offers each year.
From the school's Senior School and history pages and its results summary for the May–June 2026 exam session.
What the grades mean.
- O Level and A Level
- Grades run from A* (the highest) down to E. U means ungraded.
- AS Level
- Grades are written in lower case, from a (the highest) down to e.
- "Others"
- In the school's results summary, "Others" means all grades below C (below c at AS Level).
The school's results for May–June 2026 are on the Results page.
The grade scale is Cambridge International's published grading; the meaning of "Others" is from the school's results summary.
Bengali is compulsory at O Level.
English is the language of instruction at Playpen. Bengali is one of the three compulsory O Level subjects, with English Language and Mathematics, and the school says it puts weight on preserving the Bengali language and on awareness of Bangladesh's cultural heritage.
For Bangladesh Studies as a subject, call the line for Classes VII to XII, listed below.
It is essential that children understand their own history and culture, as well as appreciate the traditions of other people and places.
They must also have a firm grasp of language, as a means of communication, and be equipped with an education that can be utilized in everyday life.
From the school's statement of mission, vision and valuescurrent site (opens in a new tab).
Questions parents ask.
Families who are new to Cambridge ask the same few questions. Each answer gives what the school says and, where it says nothing yet, the line to call.
Is it O Level or IGCSE?
The school's pages speak of O Level and list O Level subjects, including Mathematics (Syllabus D). For the syllabus of one particular subject, call the line for Classes VII to XII.
When and where are the exams sat?
In the school's own hall, which has been a Cambridge exam venue approved by the British Council since 2020. For the dates of each series and the way to register, call the line for Classes VII to XII. Examinations and reporting has the school's own examinations.
Will the results be accepted by universities in Bangladesh?
The school's career counselling covers university applications at home and abroad, and senior students receive recommendation letters, transcripts and testimonials. For the equivalence procedure itself, ask the school. See Student support.
What does it cost beyond tuition?
The school explains fees and monthly tuition to a family after the child has been selected, and exam registration is arranged through the school. Fees and payment says how fees are explained and paid.
How did the school do?
In the May–June 2026 Cambridge exams, 67 in every 100 O Level grades were A* or A, 46 in every 100 AS Level grades were an a, and 42 in every 100 A Level grades were A* or A. Results and achievements has the full picture and its source.
Words you will hear.
- CAIE
- Cambridge Assessment International Education, the body whose examinations Playpen's senior students prepare for.
- O Level
- Ordinary Level. At Playpen, students take at least six subjects, three of them compulsory.
- AS Level
- Advanced Subsidiary. At Playpen it follows O Level, from Class XI.
- A Level
- Advanced Level. Taught at Playpen since 2013.
- Syllabus D
- The name the school gives the O Level Mathematics syllabus it teaches.
- Elective
- A subject a student chooses, as against the three compulsory ones. Playpen students choose in Class VIII.
- Mock examination
- The school's own trial examination. Its results, with the O Level result, decide admission to Class XI.
- Semester
- One of the two parts of the school year. A written examination ends each.