If you are wondering what IGCSE stands for, here is the IGCSE meaning. IGCSE is the abbreviation for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is considered to be the most popular international certification for the end of secondary school and is the equivalent to the British O-Level, UK GCSE, fifth form or year 11.
The exam is taken before a student proceeds to Advanced Level (A-Level or sixth form or year 12 & 13) or pre-university studies in respective countries and schools.The duration of the programme is 5 years, starting with Year 7 (the equivalent of Form 1) and ending with the Year 11 examinations which are set and marked by the Examination Board. If you want your child to take IGCSE, it is important to know which schools that offer IGCSE in Malaysia.
Recognition
Many universities worldwide require a combination of Cambridge International A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs to meet their entry requirements. Moreover, countries like the UK, US or Canadian colleges and universities allow admissions to students holding a successfully passed IGCSE Certificate. Furthermore, this program creates a pathway for the local students from Malaysia to study abroad.
When students complete their education and move on to the next step, that is, joining the labour force, those holding an IGCSE certificate will greatly benefit from the programme as many of the leading companies worldwide accept and recognise this programme.
IGCSE is popular among homeschoolers and adult students. Though IGCSE is mostly undertaken by students typically in the age group 14-16 or 15-17 depending on primary 1 entry age, it also allows students from alternative education and adult students to sit for the exam and continue personal education advancement at any age.
IGCSE Subjects
In terms of IGCSE subjects Malaysia, IGCSE offers more than 70 subjects where students are required to take a minimum of 5 or maximum of 14 subjects.
The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Sciences. Nevertheless, students can also choose other subjects ranging from Social Sciences (commonly Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Sociology) to Arts & Technology (commonly Computer Studies, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Art & Design).
Students are awarded with one IGCSE certificate on each subject. If you take 5 subjects, you will be awarded 5 IGCSE certificates. The number of subjects that need to be taken is varied from school to school, and also depends upon individual preference.
IGCSE Examinations
If you are wondering “what is IGCSE exam”, unlike the Malaysian Certificate of Education (or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, aka SPM) which offers examinations once a year, the Cambridge IGCSE offers examinations twice a year, in June and November. The IGCSE issues the results in August and January every year.
Cambridge IGCSE Grading System
The IGCSE is graded from A* to G, with U stated as “Ungraded”. Students are required to obtain minimum grade C for the 5 core subjects in order to proceed to the next advanced level or further education.
The IGCSE grading system aims to maintain the standard of grading such that the same level of achievement will receive the same grade from one year to the next. This means that grades should reflect a consistent level of achievement between different syllabuses within the same qualification and in different years.