International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an internationally recognized qualification for school students, typically aged 14-16. It prepares students for further academic work, including progression to A-levels or other international equivalent qualifications. The IGCSE curriculum is designed to be rigorous and accessible, catering to a wide range of student abilities.
Several examination boards offer IGCSE qualifications, including:
– Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)
– Pearson Edexcel
– Oxford AQA
IGCSE courses are generally taken over two years, during Years 10 and 11 of secondary education. Students typically begin their studies at age 14 and complete the exams at age 16.
The exam pattern for IGCSE can vary slightly depending on the examination board:
– Cambridge IGCSE: Typically involves written exams, practical assessments for science subjects, and coursework for some subjects.
– Pearson Edexcel IGCSE: Mostly written exams, with practicals and coursework in subjects like Science and ICT.
– Oxford AQA IGCSE: Similar structure with written exams and practicals for relevant subjects.
– Written Exams: The majority of IGCSE exams are written and typically last between 1 to 2 hours per paper.
– Coursework/Controlled Assessments: Some subjects require coursework or controlled assessments, which are completed under supervised conditions.
– Practical Exams: Subjects like Science include practical exams or alternative practical assessments.
IGCSE exams are held twice a year:
– June Series: Main exam period from late April to mid-June.
– November Series: A smaller series for students needing to retake exams or for those in countries with a different academic calendar.
Board | Grading System |
Cambridge IGCSE | A* to G |
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE | 9 to 1 |
Oxford AQA IGCSE | 9 to 1 |
Category | Subjects |
Core Subjects | English Language, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) |
Humanities | History, Geography |
Languages | French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, etc. |
Creative and Technical Subjects | Art and Design, Drama, Music, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Design and Technology |
Social Sciences | Economics, Business Studies, Sociology |
Subject | Exam Dates |
Start Date | Monday, 29 April 2024 |
End Date | Friday, 14 June 2024 |
Mathematics | Cambridge IGCSE Maths Core Paper 1 on 2 May 2024, Edexcel IGCSE Maths A Paper 1F on 16 May 2024 |
Biology | Cambridge IGCSE Biology Core on 2 May 2024, Edexcel IGCSE Biology Paper 1B on 10 May 2024 |
Chemistry | Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry Core on 29 April 2024, Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry Paper 1C on 10 May 2024 |
**These dates are subject to change and students should check with their schools or the examination boards for the most current information.
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