2,337 Replies to “What is IGCSE?”

  1. Hello, I am a father of a local Chinese student, now choosing the international school for him, several questions want to ask you,
    1) Ist possible International schools offer IGCSE and Alevel program in 3 years as high school and IGCSE only 1 year of it? will that be too much pressure for the kid? do you have any suggestions of the program length or it all depends on the abilities of students and teachers.
    2) One school offering 6 IGCSE subjects which are Math, ESL, Mandarin, Eco, Physics, Chemistry, they want the kids to take all of them, but actually the kid can take only 5 minimum, right? so what about Alevel, how many subjets they to have to take? must be same as the IGCSE subjects they have passed already?
    3) The teachers in China who are teaching IGCSE and Alevel, do you have any regulations on them? I mean do they need to pass your qualification exam or get any proof?
    4) when specifically is the IGCSE and Alevel exam in mid of 2021? every year will be different? and they are going to sit in the exam in where?

    Thank you very much, best regards.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Li,

      Thank you for writing in. Please kindly read our suggestions:

      1. IGCSE is typically a two year programme for schooled students. While private candidates could finish the syllabus according to their own ability. It usually takes about 1-2 years to finish the whole IGCSE syllabus. If you do not want your son to follow the school’s 1-year IGCSE system, you may opt for taking the exam privately whenever he is ready. On the other hand for A-Level, there are three assessment options:

      1.Take the AS Level only. The syllabus content is half A-Level and the students have about 180 guided learning hours per subject over the
      duration of the course (normally one year).

      2.Take a ‘staged’ assessment route (A2) – take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A
      Level at a subsequent series. AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.

      3.Take all papers of the A-Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course. The whole syllabus has
      approximately 360 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally two years).

      We strongly suggest that you follow through the programme schedule and register only when the student is ready to sit for the exams.
      Students who completed the full A Level (or sixth form or equivalent) certificate means the student is prepared and adjusted for the
      first year of Bachelor degree.

      2. Yes, the minimum subject requirements for IGCSE is 5 subjects. However, if you are registered in a formal school, you ought to follow the school’s subject options. With regards to A-Level subjects, students typically study four subjects at AS-Level and three subjects at A-Level. Furthermore, it is recommended that they’ve completed IGCSE level counterpart. For the specific required IGCSE subjects at AS/A Level, please kindly download the syllabus here and get the required subjects: https://www.igcsecentre.com/cambridge-international-as-a-level-syllabuses/

      3. We are not CAIE, which is the exam board. Kindly address this concern with the school. Or you may write to CAIE directly to enquire about that.

      4. Every year there are two examination series – June exam series and November exam series. Students take their exams in registered Cambridge schools or exam centres. To give you an idea of the exam time table, kindly read this post: https://www.igcsecentre.com/cambridge-igcse-exam-schedules/

      You might want to check our renowned A* online revision course. Our revision courses consist of: revision notes and video tutorials, a ready-made revision timetable, downloadable exam-style practices, common mistakes candidates make during the exams, examiners’ advice, and also some chosen of our word-renowned A* Model Answers (for the respective subject) would be provided free. Please kindly find out the details here: https://www.igcsecentre.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/

      If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to write to us again.

      Reply ↓

  2. Hi, I m researching on ICGSE for my boy. Is it a must for a student to take math as a subject for exam? He is a special need child. 10yo this year. Am searching for way for him to opt other than math

    Reply ↓

  3. Dear Igcse team:
    I heard that if you fail the main subjects in grade 10 term 1 final exams which are: English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and ICT.
    can you still do the ig’s in May/ June.

    Reply ↓

    • Hello Sadeen,

      Your Grade 10 internal exams does not affect your chance in taking IGCSE exams. However, it may mean that you may not be ready to sit in for your IGCSE exams.

      You may want to check out our A* online revision course. This would help you with your exam preparations. It consists of detailed revision notes, engaging video tutorials, ready-made revision timetable, downloadable exam-style practices, common mistakes candidates make during the exams, exam tips, examiners’ advice, and also some chosen of our word-renowned A* Model Answers (for the respective subject) would be provided free.

      Furthermore, you may use the revision courses along with your studies at school. We have got many candidates doing that, and they have gotten better grades at school.

      To understand how it works, kindly read this page: https://www.igcsecentre.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/

      Reply ↓

  4. I heard that if you fail the main subjects in grade 10 which are: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, English and ICT, in grade 10 term 1 final exams, you won’t be able to do the Ig’s you won’t in May/ June, is it true?

    Reply ↓

    • Hello Sadeen,

      Your Grade 10 internal exams does not affect your chance in taking IGCSE exams. However, it may mean that you may not be ready to sit in for your IGCSE exams.

      You may want to check out our A* online revision course. This would help you with your exam preparations. It consists of detailed revision notes, engaging video tutorials, ready-made revision timetable, downloadable exam-style practices, common mistakes candidates make during the exams, exam tips, examiners’ advice, and also some chosen of our word-renowned A* Model Answers (for the respective subject) would be provided free.

      Furthermore, you may use the revision courses along with your studies at school. We have got many candidates doing that, and they have gotten better grades at school.

      To understand how it works, kindly read this page: https://www.igcsecentre.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/

      Reply ↓

  5. Hi.
    Kindly clarify the difference between an ICE Certificate that is issued to a student who takes a minimum of 7 subjects and a student who takes a minimum of 5 subjects. will the student with 5 subjects be issued with a certificate and will they be eligible for university intake.

    My daughter is taking 7 subjects and she wants to drop two and remain with 5. Would she be disadvantaged if she did this? You can let us know if there are any setbacks.
    Regards

    Reply ↓

    • Hello Sarah,

      ICE Award is not a requirement to be eligible for further studies. It is simply a group award that recognizes a candidate’s achievement in a wider range of subject selection. Furthermore, students will obtain separate certificates for each subject.

      If sitting in for 7 subjects is causing her too much stress, we suggest that she only take the subjects that are part of the university’s entry requirements. It is best that she inquire to the university to get confirmation on required subjects in accordance with what she wants for her further study.

      Reply ↓

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