IGCSE, or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, is a renowned curriculum developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations. The IGCSE course is a two-year program for children aged 14 to 16.
If your child undertakes IGCSE examinations, they can gain a globally recognized qualification. IGCSE in a KL international school can provide your child with a flexible study program that covers different subjects. In this guide, you will know about the curriculum and syllabus of IGCSE and compare it with others to decide if it can suit your child.
Subject Groups Under the IGCSE Curriculum in KL International School
There are five subject groups under the IGCSE curriculum, and they are:
● Group 1- Languages (First language, Second language, Foreign language, and much more)
● Group 2- Humanities and Social Sciences (English Literature, Geography, History, and much more)
● Group 3- Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and other associated subjects)
● Group 4- Mathematics (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics)
● Group 5- Creative, Technical, and Vocational (Business studies, Accounting, Music, Computer Studies, etc.).
Your child will be requested to take a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14 subjects. You can research on the internet to find out which international and private schools follow the IGCSE curriculum. IGCSE is a famous curriculum in KL international schools due to the diversity that it provides.
Comparing IGCSE Cambridge Lower Secondary to Other Curriculums
IGCSE curriculum will be compared to the following curriculums and types of IGCSE curricula:
● IGCSE vs O Level
IGCSE candidates are awarded grades from A to G, but O-level candidates are awarded grades A to E. IGCSE tests your child’s oral, practical skills, and problem-solving skills; they also help students apply their skills, knowledge and understanding practically.
But the O level focuses mainly on reading and writing skills. IGCSE helps to prepare students for international AS and A-level, whereas O level can help your child to meet the local needs. Many practical options are available in IGCSE, but there are hardly any practical options at O Level.
● IGCSE extended vs IGCSE core
When you consider the different abilities of a student, the teacher gets to decide the proper level of students. Your child can have a choice between core and extended in a few IGCSE papers. The core curriculum is not hard compared to extended and targets most of the students.
The grades for the Cambridge lower secondary curriculum can range from C to G. The extended curriculum can target academically brilliant children, which will naturally lead to professional training or even higher education. But the grades in IGCSE range from A to E.
The exam covers the entire ability range in a few subjects, and there are no choices for core and extended papers. For such subjects, the full range of grades will be available, and there is no requirement for students to follow the same curriculum for all the subjects.
● IGCSE vs CBSE
The unique and attractive features of IGCSE are the various study options that are offered by the curriculum. But in the case of CBSE, they only have a few options to select from. The IGCSE curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills and helps adopt a practical approach.
But in CBSE, your child will be tested based on theoretical knowledge, and CBSE has more content, but you do not require a deep understanding of the concepts. But IGCSE needs students to have more in-depth knowledge.
● IGCSE vs IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The Cambridge lower secondary syllabus offers five subject groups, but in IB MYP, there are around eight subject groups. As a result, IB offers a wider range of subjects than IGCSE.
IGCSE is a two-year programme and post where your child has the option to do an IGCSE A or AS level course. But IB MYP is a five-year programme, and students who complete MYP are prepared to take the IB Diploma course.
IB is considered more intense and provides huge opportunities for children who want to settle in an international country. Comparatively, the IGCSE curriculum is structured and has a global perspective while being nationally relevant at the same time.
What is Unique About the IGCSE Syllabus?
The IGCSE Cambridge lower secondary syllabus keeps an international outlook in mind. But it also retains a local relevance for every region. The IGCSE syllabus is developed for the international student body and has no cultural bias.
Benefits of the IGCSE Curriculum
The benefits of the IGCSE curriculum are as follows:
● It offers around 30 languages to choose from.
● It helps to create a critical-thinking and problem-solving attitude among the students.
● It is globally recognised worldwide.
● Private candidates can also apply for the IGCSE exams.
● It does not follow a strict pattern and has a set structure.
Bottom Line
The IGCSE curriculum in a KL international school is unique and can help develop your child’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also offers a wide range of subjects for students to choose from and does not follow strict rules. You can opt for this curriculum for a better future for your child.
