Academic News

 

Cambridge Mock exams begin at Escola Internacional

The Cambridge Mock Exams have begun for students from Juniors 3 to Juniors 5! From Juniors 3 onwards, our students start preparing for the Starters, Movers, Flyers, and Key exams.

Achieving a Cambridge certification is a significant asset, recognised worldwide, which validates students’ English communication skills and opens doors to new academic and professional opportunities. Moreover, this certification is an excellent way to assess progress and the competencies acquired throughout their learning journey.

For our younger students, taking part in mock exams is a valuable way to become familiar with the structure and format of the real exams. This helps reduce anxiety and gradually prepares them, offering a calmer and more confident learning experience. Exposure to this type of assessment also boosts self-confidence and problem-solving skills – both essential for academic development.

We are very excited about our students’ progress and confident that the Cambridge mock exams will be a fantastic opportunity to further develop their English skills in a meaningful and globally recognised way.

Giraffe School (Escola de Girafa) has arrived at Juniors 5!

We are very happy to announce that the Giraffe School Program (Programa Escola de Girafa) has started at Juniors 5! Developed and implemented by our manager and psychologist Ana Cláudia Favano Chiocarello, the program brings positive psychology themes in a playful, sensitive and engaging way, with the aim of promoting students’ emotional and social well-being.

The program covers essential topics for emotional development, such as identifying emotions, emotional repertory, non-violent communication, bullying, cyberbullying and the impacts of indiscriminate use of electronic devices without supervision and purpose. The aim of the program is to help students reflect on the conscious and responsible use of technology, as well as promoting healthy coexistence practices.

The contents of Escola de Girafa are based on great names in psychology, such as Daniel Goleman, Marshall Rosenberg and other positive psychology theorists, who provide the basis for meaningful activities and reflections. The playful approach and the connection with emotional sensitivity make the themes accessible and easy for children to understand.

Let’s all get on the giraffe wave, promoting more empathy, respect and self-confidence, and together, build a more welcoming and conscious school environment for our students!

ENEM/VESTIBULAR & IB DIPLOMA MOCK EXAMS: A KEY STEP TOWARD SUCCESS

At Escola Internacional de Alphaville, we believe in preparing students to make the best life choices—whatever they may be. While some students already have a clear path in mind, many are still exploring their options in a world that is constantly evolving. Some of our students aim specifically for Brazilian universities, taking one or more of the Vestibulares and the ENEM, while others plan to study abroad. Many even pursue both international and national admissions, ensuring they keep their options open. Notably, an increasing number of international universities now recognise the ENEM as a high-stakes end-of-high-school assessment, meaning students can use their ENEM scores in global admissions, further expanding their opportunities

Additionally, we have students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme, a highly demanding curriculum that integrates with the Brazilian national system. These students, while fulfilling the rigorous requirements of the IB Diploma, often choose to take the national Vestibulares and/or the ENEM as well. This dual commitment requires excellent preparation and strategic planning.

Why Are Mock Exams Essential?

Mock exams play a crucial role in academic success. Whether students are preparing for the ENEM, Vestibulares, and/or IB Diploma exams, these practice assessments provide an invaluable learning experience by helping students:

Familiarise themselves with the exam format – Understanding question styles, difficulty levels, and time constraints reduces anxiety on test day.
Develop time-management strategies – Many students struggle with pacing; mock exams teach them how to allocate time effectively across different sections.
Identify strengths and areas for improvement – Through performance analysis, students can focus on topics that need extra attention before the real exam.
Improve test-taking strategies – Learning how to eliminate incorrect answers, structure essays efficiently, and avoid common pitfalls can make a significant difference.
Build confidence and resilience – The more students practice under exam conditions, the more comfortable and prepared they feel when facing the real test.

Mock Exams at Escola Internacional de Alphaville

At Exponential High School, we are committed to providing students with the best preparation possible. Our partnership with SAS, a leader in high-quality educational solutions, offers students a structured mock exam programme that tracks progress and optimises performance.

We strongly encourage all our graduating students (H3), as well as H2 and H1 students, to take full advantage of these opportunities. The earlier they engage with mock exams, the better their performance tends to be when it truly counts.

Throughout the year, students will have access to:
Six SAS ENEM mock exams
Other major SAS mock exams, including FUVEST, UNICAMP, and FGV
Internally constructed Vestibular-type mock exams
IB Diploma mock exams to refine skills in lengthy writing, structured responses, and exam strategies

Some mock exams will be held in person at the school, while others will be available digitally, ensuring students have flexibility in their preparation. The full mock exam schedule for 2025 will help students plan ahead and better prepare for these valuable training experiences.

Tips for Making the Most of Mock Exams

📌 Take them seriously – Approach mock exams as if they were the real thing. Simulating exam conditions helps develop stamina and focus.
📌 Review mistakes thoroughly – The goal is to learn from errors, not just get a score. Analyse incorrect answers and work on weak areas.
📌 Create a study plan based on results – Use mock exams as a diagnostic tool to guide future study sessions effectively.
📌 Develop a test-day routine – Practising under similar conditions (e.g., morning schedule, limited distractions) helps establish a successful exam-day mindset.
📌 Stay consistent – Regular practice builds confidence, reinforces knowledge, and reduces stress as exam day approaches.

At Escola Internacional de Alphaville, we understand that success in high-stakes exams is not just about content knowledge—it’s about strategy, preparation, and mindset. This is why our commitment to a well-structured, high-quality mock exam programme goes beyond simply offering practice tests. We ensure that every student receives meaningful feedback, detailed performance analysis, and ongoing support throughout their preparation journey.

Our educators and pedagogical coordinators work closely with students, helping them set realistic goals, interpret their results, and adjust their study plans accordingly. We believe that consistent exposure to mock exams, combined with expert guidance and self-reflection, is the key to unlocking each student’s full potential.

By integrating national and international pathways, we ensure that our students are equipped to face any academic challenge with confidence. Whether their goal is to secure a place at a top Brazilian university or to gain admission to a prestigious international institution, we are fully committed to guiding them every step of the way.

Through dedication, structured preparation, and the right strategies, we empower our students not only to succeed in their exams but to thrive in their academic journeys and beyond.

🎓 Márcio Mendes de Oliveira Júnior
With an outstanding academic journey, he achieved his second admission to Medicine, this time at Universidade Anhembi-Morumbi, in addition to already securing his spot in the prestigious Medicine program at São Leopoldo Mandic, in Campinas.