What is IGCSE?
The International General Certificate for Secondary Education is an English medium based education developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations. Its syllabus prepares students for programs of higher education such as the A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB). Students begin to build their foundation from Year 7 (Form 1) to Year 9 (Form 3) and start their syllabus at the stage of Year 10 (Form 4) and takes the official exams in Year 11 (Form 5). IGCSE has two examination sessions each year which spans from May-June and October-November.
There are 5 subject groups in IGCSE:
- Group 1: Languages (First Language, Second Language, Foreign Language, etc.)
- Group 2: Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography, English Literature, History, etc.)
- Group 3: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)
- Group 4: Mathematics (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, etc.)
- Group 5: Creative, Technical and Vocational (Accounting, Business Studies, Music, etc.)
For each subject, depending of the student's performance, a certificate is given by the Cambridge Board of Examinations stating the grades for the chosen subjects. In addition to that, Cambridge awards "Outstanding Achievement Awards" in the form of "Top in the Country" and "Top in the World" for each subjects.
Due to the broad range and depth of studies, students who are weaker in certain subjects can lessen the difficulty by opting for Core Curriculum instead of the standard Extended Curriculum.
How to decide on taking Core curriculum or Extended Curriculum?
SPM vs. IGCSE
1. Grading System
It's obvious that studying IGCSE is much more costly relative to SPM. Not only is the tuition fee of SPM cheaper, the fees you have to pay for taking the official IGCSE exams are counted individually, in other words, the more subjects you want to take, the more you have to pay.
3. Speed
Any child born between January and August are automatically pulled a year ahead. For example, if you were 12 years old at the year itslef, and born between January or August you would be in Year 7 or equivalent to Form 1 (you have to past the entrance test first). Thus, it is possible to finish your high school by 16.
4. Recognition
If you are planning to study locally, both SPM or IGCSE qualifications will do. However, if you are planing to study abroad, it is generally better to take IGCSE which can easily transition into A Levels which can get you into top Universities such as the Ivy League.
5. Flexibility
IGCSE offers a wider range of subjects to choose from and depending on which schools you choose, most of them don't have restrictions such as compulsory subjects. However, in some international school the MCA has deemed Bahasa Melayu second language as a compulsory subject, but worry not, the difficulty is relatively easier compared to local schools.
Why should I select IGCSE for my child?
1. Grading System
The Grading Methods:
SPM
The grades provided by SPM determines if students are qualified for further studies such as foundation or pre-university.
Grades awarded are: A+, A, A-, B+, B, C+, C, D, E and G.
The minimum requirements of being awarded the SPM certificate: Candidates must pass both Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah (History) papers.
IGCSE
Candidates who sit for IGCSEs are awarded grades of: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F or G
Any performance that obtains a lower grade than those stated above is denoted by "U" which stands for ungraded. Generally, a minimum grade of "C" is required for a student to advance from secondary education.
The grading system of IGCSE is unique in such a way that the standard of grading of similar level of achievements receive similar grades from one year to the next. This results in the reflection of an individual's performance when the syllabus change over the years in the same qualification.
Grade thresholds are established in every syllabus and they reflect on the lowest amount of points candidates can score in order to be worthy of the grade. Students should note that grades are not bound by the quota system, thus a better candidate will receive higher grades.
2. FeesIt's obvious that studying IGCSE is much more costly relative to SPM. Not only is the tuition fee of SPM cheaper, the fees you have to pay for taking the official IGCSE exams are counted individually, in other words, the more subjects you want to take, the more you have to pay.
3. Speed
Any child born between January and August are automatically pulled a year ahead. For example, if you were 12 years old at the year itslef, and born between January or August you would be in Year 7 or equivalent to Form 1 (you have to past the entrance test first). Thus, it is possible to finish your high school by 16.
4. Recognition
If you are planning to study locally, both SPM or IGCSE qualifications will do. However, if you are planing to study abroad, it is generally better to take IGCSE which can easily transition into A Levels which can get you into top Universities such as the Ivy League.
5. Flexibility
IGCSE offers a wider range of subjects to choose from and depending on which schools you choose, most of them don't have restrictions such as compulsory subjects. However, in some international school the MCA has deemed Bahasa Melayu second language as a compulsory subject, but worry not, the difficulty is relatively easier compared to local schools.
Why should I select IGCSE for my child?
- It is the most sought-after and recognised qualification in the world
- Involves a variety of assessment techniques to test oral and practical skills, initiative and problem solving ability, application of skills, knowledge and understanding. Thus it discourages memorising of information.
- Curriculum is balanced and lends an international perspective to studies.
- Subjects provided have a very focused approach.
- Takes account of differing abilities of students by utilising the Core or Extended Curriculum
- Students of Year 9 will take the CAMBRIDGE CHECKPOINT EXAMS to test their knowledge on respective fields of their studies, this in turn help them to choose their subjects of interest for Year 10 and 11. After finishing IGCSE, they can easily transition into A Levels which is recognised worldwide.
- Three fair passes at A level allows students to skip a year in US, UK and Canadian Universities, a diagnostic service comprising of standardized tests, that pin-points a student's strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas.
- Good grades at A/AS Level gets exemption from an additional year or education in the US and UK Universities whilst IB require a 13th year of education.
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