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Children's education is becoming more and more flexible and customizable. For many foreign students, choosing their IGCSE pathway is a very important step.
Students need the basic skills at the heart of a good education, along with choices, academic rigor, and personalization. The IGCSEs, a collection of broad and well-respected qualifications for students aged 14 to 16, strike this balance.
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams and credentials are designed for students ages 14 to 16, but anyone can take them. Although it started as the GCSE in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the IGCSE has changed over time to meet the needs of students all over the world.
The IGCSE curriculum covers many different topics, and there are no limits on the number of qualifications students can get. Beyond the required topics, students can put together their courses to make their curriculum unique. The average student studies each topic for two years and takes tests in the summer of their second year, usually in Year 11 when they are 16. The amount of time a student has to study before a test is not fixed.
This test ranges from A* to G, with G being the worst grade and A* being the best. The grading system also evolved and numbers are used now, including 1-9, with 9 being the best grade and 1 the worst. Many tests have two levels, and teachers put students into either the higher or lower-tier system before the tests so that IGCSEs are available for all skill levels.
Read More: The Preferable Option: Coursework vs Exams
The IGCSE course outline may differ based on the school and examination board, but I'll talk about some main subjects that students can study below.
Each school is free to make its own IGCSE curriculum, so a student's curriculum will be very different depending on the school. The IGCSE exams are given by Cambridge Assessment International Education. They divide the 70 topics they offer into the following groups, which show what might be available. Students are told to plan a broad path that includes many courses from various groups.
In most schools, you have to take six IGCSE subjects. This is usually required before you can go to college in the UAE, and it applies to most schools that follow the British curriculum.
Just remember these things, though:
Laws vary by school: Check with your school to see if they need more than six courses. Remember that each school may have its own rules.
Special needs: If you have trouble learning or other special needs, this could mean you don't have to take as many classes. Talk about what's happening with your school psychologist or those in charge.
After six subjects, should you take more?
You don't have to take more than six subjects in your IGCSEs, but you can if you desire. The reasons are mentioned below:
Do what you enjoy: Learning new things you like is possible when you take more classes.
Get into more colleges: Colleges might like you more if you have studied a wide range of subjects, as this shows that you are well-rounded.
As required by the program: You might need certain IGCSE courses for some college programs, especially those that are abroad.
While selecting the subjects, make sure to answer these questions to yourself.
1. Keep in mind that the main exam boards, like CAIE and Edexcel, offer more than 90 courses. The list given may not be complete, but it does include the most popular ones.
2. Some students choose to take up to 12 IGCSE subjects and even classes outside of school to improve their grades and chances of getting into college.
3. Private students and people who are homeschooled can also take IGCSE classes.
4. Because universities accept all British Curriculum test boards equally, schools and students can pick courses from any of them. These include Edexcel, Cambridge, AQA, and OCR.
5. Students should really try a lot of different subjects because that way, they will have a lot of choices when they have to choose their A-level subjects. Their career goals and choices of college courses are often based on their A-levels, and they usually choose those related to the areas they already studied at the IGCSE level.
Really, it's up to you to choose how many subjects to take. Before making your decision, think about your hobbies, your plans for the future, and the requirements of the university.
For an extra tip, talk to your school advisor or mentor. You can also book a session with MTS mentors today to get help in any of the IGCSE courses! They can help you determine what's best for you and walk you through the IGCSE process.
Don't forget that IGCSEs are a big step in your studies. You can make yourself more likely to succeed in the future by knowing what is needed and making informed decisions.
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