CIE IGCSE
Cambridge International Examination or CIE established IGCSE in 1988. IGCSE or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education is the English language-based curriculum popular worldwide. It offers about 70 subjects to the students of the age group 14-16.
The examination is considered to be tougher than similar boards. However the secret to scoring high lies in solving past papers. Ex-students agree that solving the last 10 years papers helps a lot. It familiarizes them with the question pattern and marking scheme. Also, it allows students to gauge their preparation. They can work harder on weak chapters. It also helps with time management.
About the board
CIE IGCSE is one of the most popular examination boards around the world. The typical core subjects include first language, second language, one or more science papers, and mathematics. Students can opt for more subjects of their choice among the 70 offered.
It is a popular board for home schooling and adult education as well. Initially, this board was popular in international schools. Lately, many private schools have also opted for it. It is recognized worldwide and is considered a base for employment.
Study time
It is considered to be a rigorous board. It pays extra attention to language papers. However, recent data published by the Education Data lab, the marking scheme of IGCSE is more liberal than GCSE. It means students can score higher with proper planning. The total time required to complete the curriculum is about two years.
The board expects students to be under 130 guided learning hours. It includes both online and direct contact programs. Each subject has a separate number of hours assigned. This does not include self-study hours.
Type of assessments
IGCSE evaluates students’ performance on four types of assessments. These are usually taken at the end of the course. The cumulative marks obtained in each section are added to the final grades. The types of assessments are:
Written: Students are required to write answers to multiple formats of questions. It can include MCQs, short-answer type, long-answer type, and essay. Each section has different marks assigned and the number of words permitted. Students should strictly adhere to the word limit.
Oral: Oral assessment or viva is usually conducted prior to the written exam. It is commonly held for science subjects. Students need to orally explain the answers.
Coursework: It is allotted to the students during the study. It can include project reports, reports, summary and diagrammatical representation.
Practical assessment: Students need to maintain their practical record. Also, they need to perform prescribed experiments.
Is the exam hard?
Contrary to popular belief, IGCSE is easier than GCSE. All it needs is a planned approach and continuous practice. The exam sessions are held twice each year in June and November. Students should apply for the session in which they are most comfortable. Also, they should solve past papers. It will help them in realizing their weak parts, solving pace and writing standards. It is best to go through model answers. They should prepare their answers accordingly. With these tips, they are sure to score high grades.
