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What's the difference between iGCSE and "traditional" English GCSE - and why would the top sets be doing the not iGCSE option?

33 replies

Caff2 · 17/07/2014 16:58

Anyone know? Confused. (my son's not top set, btw!)

Thank you.

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OryxCrake · 17/07/2014 17:06

My home-educated DC did IGCSE because there wasn't a coursework requirement, which in our experience (with maths) was tricky to organise as it needed to be authenticated.

Looking at the practice papers, the IGCSE reminded me of when I did O Levels more than my other DC's GCSE papers.

In my very limited experience, there seemed to be more of a qualitative difference than a difference in level but that was a few years ago so things might have changed.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 17:11

Thanks - I'm not anti the iGCSE necessarily, but don't understand the difference and why the top sets would be doing the "traditional" GCSE if there is no quantifiable difference.

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HSMMaCM · 17/07/2014 17:23

Why would the top sets not do the traditional gcse? One has a coursework element and the other doesn't. Neither is better than the other.

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Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:24

IGCSE in English language has a much larger component of coursework (60 %) including 20% speaking and listening. The coursework can all be done at home making it easier to access higher marks. The lit IGCSE is harder though IMO.

My guess is that they think the lower sets can access bs and Cs more easily in language with the IGCSE, while top-sets can access As and A*s more easily with the GCSE.

Sounds a bit bikers to me though, and poor pedagogy. Too much focus on results rather than just choosing a course that you think works and teaching it well across the board.

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Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:24

Bonkers not bikers :)

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Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:27

There is the choice to do no coursework, but I doubt that is what your school are doing.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 17:35

I think that makes sense Maria33 - it is a results driven school, but I do want my son to get the best result he can of course! Just wondered if the other GCSE was more highly regarded, as why would the top sets need As or As in that if A/A is "as good" from the iGCSE?

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Asterisk · 17/07/2014 18:55

There was a discussion on here some time ago about the iGCSE in English not being as highly regarded as the iGCSEs in some other subjects, because it's an international qualification and geared for students for whom English is not necessarily their first language. Science iGCSEs seem to be regarded as tougher but better preparation for those taking science at A-level. The merits and downsides of GCSEs and iGCSEs need to be compared on a subject-by-subject basis, and even then the exam boards have different reputations.

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Phaedra11 · 17/07/2014 18:57

There is a common perception that it is easier to get a C grade with an IGCSE than a GCSE, but more difficult to get an A*.

I'm not sure if it's true but perhaps that's what's driving this decision.

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Minorchristmascrisis · 17/07/2014 19:01

As far as I'm aware there are two types of iGCSE English exams - one for English as a second language and one for native English speakers.

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Minorchristmascrisis · 17/07/2014 19:02

Yes, just checked Cambridge board and they have a first language paper and a separate second language paper.

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Curioushorse · 17/07/2014 19:15

Other posters have already summed it up. We thought it was so funny a couple of years ago to hear people (often on this site!) saying how much more rigorous the Igcses are. Rubbish. Schools will do exactly what they thing will get their students the highest grades. People rarely write their exam boards on their cvs, do they?

Igcse English is easier for middle students because of the exam only or heavy coursework option.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 19:48

Igcse English is easier for middle students because of the exam only or heavy coursework option.

That makes sense - although it's not how it was put to me by the school. Is it "worth" as much though? If it is - why are the top two sets doing the other option?

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Happy36 · 17/07/2014 19:58

I teach in a British school outside the UK therefore our students have to sit IGCSEs.

I teach English. For Language our students sit Cambridge First Language which is exam. only (there is a coursework option but we don't do it). Syllabus code 0500. In my experience this course is equal to English Language GCSE and the same standard of writing earns the same marks.

For Literature our students sit the Cambridge syllabus (0486) which is exam. only - on set drama, poetry and prose texts plus an unseen paper (no coursework). I and my colleagues feel that this is more difficult than GCSE.

Hope this helps.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:01

Thank you, Happy36 - it does confuse me a bit more though as I would have thought that would mean the top two sets would be better with the IGCSE rather than the other way round?

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TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:11

DCs school use IGCSE English and Maths to bump middle set kids over the C/D boundary
All top set kids do straight 'normal' GCSEs

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Happy36 · 17/07/2014 20:16

Hi Caff as far as I'm concerned there's no reason why schools in Britain should have students sitting IGCSEs, it stinks of results massaging to me.

Whilst my departmental colleagues and I believe that the IGCSE courses taught in our school, for our subject, are equally or even more difficult than GCSEs it may be that with other exam. boards or syllabi there is a statistical advantage at one particular grade boundary that then affects a school's global results positively and therefore pushes them up the league tables.

How do the Russell Group unis. treat IGCSEs obtained by students in Britain? The same as GCSEs?

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TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:17

Happy
Private schools have been using IGCSEs for years

Universities are generally more interested in A levels

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Happy36 · 17/07/2014 20:23

Thanks, TP, and sorry for the Q. Unis. / UCAS take into account IGCSEs for our students, I assumed it would not be different for those in schools in Britain. Apologies! Smile

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:25

I don't think my son will be doing "A" levels - he is likely to get all Cs and maybe a couple of Bs at GCSE, so will probably be looking at vocational training - but I want him to do good quality, meaningful post 16 quals and wanted to make sure that colleges value IGCSE as much as GCSE - so his C or B at IGCSE will mean the same as the equivalent grade at GCSE, if that makes sense? He's a right at the end of August birthday, so it seems crazy to be thinking of this about a not yet 14 year old, but the fact is, in two years he will leave school, and I want him to have the best preparation possible.

Thank you for responses, it is very helpful.

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TalkinPeace · 17/07/2014 20:27

Caff
He will not leave education until he is 18 .... the leaving age was raised last year.
But yes, when he's applying for jobs its the C rather than the exam definition that matters.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:33

No, sorry, I know he won't leave education, but he will leave school as his current school (state, academy, very highly regarded school) has pretty high sixth form entrance criteria that, short of a miracle, he will not reach. So I want to make sure he gets onto a good quality post 16 course at whatever institution it is, and am quite worried about whether IGCSE English "counts" as much, if you know what I mean?

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Clavinova · 17/07/2014 20:34

You certainly have to list the awarding bodies for GCSEs/IGCSEs on your UCAS form so I guess that RG unis look very favourably on As/A*s from the Cambridge IGCSE board.

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Caff2 · 17/07/2014 20:42

Thank you, but it's not university I'm interested in, but post 16 education.

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Phaedra11 · 18/07/2014 07:09

Thank you, but it's not university I'm interested in, but post 16 education.

IGCESs and GCSEs are both level 2 qualifications and will looked at as equal by providers of 16+/further education.

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