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IGCSE : Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is IGCSE?

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a globally recognized qualification, taken at the Grade 10 level, similar to the Grade 10 examinations of the CBSE and ICSE or the middle years Program of the IB.

IGCSE, formed in 1988, is a comprehensive two-year program, spread over Class 9 and 10, and leads to the final examinations offered every year in May and November.

Who conducts the IGCSE examination?

IGCSE assessment is conducted by two UK assessment bodies: Edexcel (formerly known as London Examinations) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

What can a student study after IGCSE?

A student who has completed IGCSE is eligible for any +2 level qualification, like Class 12 CBSE/ ICSE or any international pre-university program, like the IB DP, Advanced Placement (AP) prevalent in the US, and A/AS Level & AICE (UK).

How does the IGCSE compare to other programs like CBSE, ICSE or the IB-MYP?

Like other modern programs, IGCSE offers a wider range of subjects and encourages high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning. Assessment is not limited to conventional written papers and they consist of a variety of tests e.g. oral and listening tests.

What is the IGCSE assessment system?

The assessment is aimed at a wide ability range of students, with an eight-point grading scale, from A+ to G, with A+ being the highest.

What does IGCSE curriculum contain?

IGCSE is a balanced curriculum and a flexible course of study. Most subjects offer a choice between core curriculum and extended curriculum. This gives students of all ability levels the freedom to choose subjects that are right for them and, thereby, the opportunity to score good grades.

The core curriculum is an overview of the subject and is suitable for students who are expected to achieve grades C to G.

The extended curriculum is, sort of, a specialization in that subject. It is more challenging and designed for students who are expected to achieve grades A+ to C.

While the syllabi and curricula of both IB MYP and IGCSE have an international outlook, IGCSE appears to be slightly better, in that it is tailored for a more multi-cultural and more multi-lingual audience.

Does the IGCSE start only in Class 9? What about the primary years? Can a student do IGCSE after completing his/ her earlier schooling through a different board?

Currently, IGCSE is a two-year program starting at the Class 9 level. A student who has done his/ her early schooling from any other board can join the IGCSE program at the Class 9 level.

What is CIE’s International Primary Program?

CIE has declared the launch of its new Cambridge International Primary Program. The introduction of this program means students will be able to study the IGCSE from age 5 through age18.

What are the subjects in the IGCSE curriculum?

There are five Subject Groups in IGCSE with several subjects to choose from, in each group:
Group 1: Languages (First Language, Second Language, Foreign Language, etc)
Group 2: Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography, English Literature, History, etc)
Group 3: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc)
Group 4: Mathematics (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, etc)
Group 5: Creative, Technical & Vocational (Accounting, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Music, etc)
For each subject, the certificate merely indicates the grades scored, and not pass or fail.

Five scores of 'C' or higher indicates a students readiness to pursue +2 level qualifications, like the Class 12 CBSE, IB Diploma, Advanced Placement Diploma (US), etc.

What is the International Certificate of Education (ICE) that is awarded to some IGCSE students?

The ICE is more prestigious than the standard IGCSE. Instead of the five papers needed to obtain the IGCSE, if a student attempts and passes seven or more papers, the student is awarded the ICE.

What are the 7 subjects for ICE?

The seven subjects must be as follows:
Two subjects from the language group
One from each of the other four groups
One more from any of the five groups

What are top 4 reasons for choosing IGCSE?

1. IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognized qualifications in the world. It develops and encourages vital educational skills, including oral skills, investigative skills, problem solving abilities, team work, recall of knowledge, and initiative.
2. The IGCSE program has worldwide status and credibility. In India, the course is delivered in over 130 schools with the number expected to touch 600 by 2008. It is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as being at par with CBSE, ICSE, etc. Worldwide, it is offered in schools in over 140 countries and is recognized by colleges and universities everywhere, more so in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
3. The IGCSE curriculum is balanced and lends an international perspective to academics. It also takes into account the differing abilities of students.
4. IGCSE students can take advantage of the Cambridge Checkpoint, a diagnostic service comprising of standardized tests, that identify a student's strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas.

What are Edexcel and CIE?

Edexcel is the UK's largest academic qualifications awarding body. It was formed in 1996 by the merger of two well-respected bodies, BTEC (the Business & Technology Education Council), and ULEAC (the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council). In 2003, Edexcel merged with education giant, Pearson PLC, to set up a new company called Edexcel Limited, which is 75% owned by Pearson and 25% by the Edexcel Foundation.

CIE is the international division of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). UCLES is another UK-based academic qualifications awarding body, known for its professional, rigorous and high standard assessments. UCLES is a department of the University of Cambridge, which was formed in the year 1207, and is one of the oldest and most reputed universities in the world.

What is a Cambridge International Center? What is an Edexcel Center or a London Examinations Center?

Schools that are accredited to Edexcel or CIE for the conduct of the IGCSE program are known as an Edexcel Center or a Cambridge International Center. From the parents' or students' perspectives, there is little difference between the two.

Some schools are accredited to Edexcel and some to CIE. For example, DPS International in Delhi is an Edexcel IGCSE centre, while the Pathways World School in Gurgaon is a CIE IGCSE centre. Then there are some like Calcutta International School in Kolkata and British School in Delhi, which are centers for both Edexcel and CIE.

What are some prominent IGCSE schools in India?