Updated on: 17th July, 2024
IGCSE full form is, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations. IGCSE course is a two-year program designed for candidates aged 14 to 16 years, starting at the Class 9 level. IGCSE is a globally recognized qualification.
IGCSE provides a broad and flexible study program and covers subjects from a variety of areas: Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational.
The IGCSE curriculum is broad and flexible, encompassing subjects from various fields:
Students must take a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14 subjects. For information on schools following the IGCSE curriculum, check our detailed blog from here.
Features | IGCSE | O-Level |
Grading System | Grades A to G | Grades A to E |
Skills Tested | Oral, practical, initiative, problem-solving | Reading and writing skills |
Coursework options | Available in different options | Limited options |
Preparation for future | Employment, further study, International AS and A-Level | Local needs |
Practical Options | Extensive | Restricted |
Feature | Core Curriculum | Extended Curriculum |
Target Audience | Majority of students | Majority of students |
Difficulty Level | Easy | Challenging |
Grade Range | C to G | A to E |
Exam Coverage | Some subjects have a choice | Some subjects cover the full ability range |
Curriculum Choice | Flexible across subjects | Flexible across subjects |
Ungraded marks | Below grade G | Below grade E |
Reporting of ungraded marks | On the statement of results, not the certificate | On statement of results, not the certificate |
Feature | IGCSE | CBSE |
Subject Options | Wide variety | Fewer options |
Curriculum Focus | Critical thinking, problem-solving | Theoretical knowledge |
Learning approach | Practical | Theoretical |
Content depth | In-depth knowledge | Broad content, less-depth |
Feature | IGCSE | IB MYP |
Subject Groups | Five groups | Eight groups |
Program Duration | Two Years | Five years |
Further Education options | Prepares for IGCSE A or AS Level | Prepares for IB Diploma |
Difficulty | Moderate | High |
Global Perspective | Globally recognized | Globally recognized |
Focus Areas | Broad Subjects | Emphasis on STEM |
Grade thresholds are the minimum marks a student must achieve to obtain a particular grade in an IGCSE exam. These thresholds are set after each exam series to ensure that the grading standards remain fair and consistent over time.
The primary goal of setting grade thresholds is to maintain a balance, ensuring that the grades reflect the relative difficulty of the exam. For instance, if an exam paper is deemed particularly challenging, the grade thresholds may be lowered to ensure that students are not unfairly penalized. Conversely, if the exam is relatively easier, the thresholds might be raised.
The advantages of IGCSE Curriculum are:
If you have any other related query you can check out our FAQ blog. Know more about the IGCSE schools here.
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