IGCSEs??

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:02 pm

Please can anyone tell me what the difference between a traditional GCSE and an IGCSE is??
I am assuming that the I maybe refers to Independent schools...? Should I be worried that they seem to sit IGCSEs at Rugby rather than GCSEs? Any help or advice gratefully received.
I know I could Google the answer for myself, but I would rather hear from someone who KNOWS first-hand about them than read the hard sell which will always be biased anyway!

KenR · Post by **KenR** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:17 pm

Hi Ed's Mum

IGCSE stands for International GCSE - a more difficult GCSE sylabus that has been adopted by many Independent schools. See:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/sep/0 ... ls.schools

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 626224.ece

In maths for example, the sylabus cover calculus which isn't covered normally until Maths AS/A Level.

The only issue with IGCSE is that it isn't recognised by the Gov in league tables (there's talk of this being included soon) so many Independent School show up at the bottom of the tables!!

Many Teacher's believe that IGCSE is a better preparation for AS and A Levels.

Hope this helps

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:28 pm

Thank you (AGAIN!!) KenR.
Phew, I was worried that it might be a dumbed-down or watered-down version of the GCSE.
I can relax again now, at least until this afternoon!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:42 pm

Just to agree - the IGCSE offers far more preparation for A'level and I believe less course work so more emphasis is paid to the final exam. It is harder to well in an IGCSE than GCSE but the independent schools still manage to get top results.

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:44 pm

Thanks Tipsy,

It is harder to well

Harder AS well?

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:51 pm

well, because there is more course-work on the GCSE there is more opportunity to correct and up-grade marks where as you only have one attempt at the IGCSE exam. It's probably the opposite from "watered-down"!

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:55 pm

I was just clarifying your meaning as I didn't understand the sentence. I do understand that they are harder. Bring it on!!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:02 pm

sorry - my typing fingers are still on holiday mode!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:42 pm

does Rugby offer A'Level or IB? and is it considering the Pre-U.

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:42 pm

Not all teachers think IGCSE is better - it's based more on rote learning of facts rather than understanding - it's designed for overseas candidates the I stands for 'international' not 'independant' -