IGCSE and GCSE examinations

[Yupt]

Is anyone else doing the IGCSE opposed to the standard GCSE, im not happy with it, a whole new course to learn, exams are four weeks earlier, i.e four weeks less time to get prepared.

However it is beneficial through the fact that i get 4 extra weeks off after exams finish and that they are more highly regarded in around the globe (the i stands for international)

[Conservative,]

Never heard of these things in my life. Not that any Uni/Employer cares about GCSEs, they look at A levels & further education & previous work experience. GCSEs are just so you can work out what you want to do at A level ;)

[Yupt]

Never heard of these things in my life. Not that any Uni/Employer cares about GCSEs, they look at A levels & further education & previous work experience. GCSEs are just so you can work out what you want to do at A level ;)

Going to disagree with that,
GCSE's ARE important, if you don't get the grades at GCSE you cant do your chosen subjects at A-levels and beyond. Universitys are more and more looking at your GCSE results aswell as A-levels to see the wide range of skills a candidate have.

[Conservative,]

Going to disagree with that,
GCSE's ARE important, if you don't get the grades at GCSE you cant do your chosen subjects at A-levels and beyond. Universitys are more and more looking at your GCSE results aswell as A-levels to see the wide range of skills a candidate have.

Only sixth forms/colleges care about GCSEs and they won't really notice the difference between an IGCSE & A GCSE. Universities look at GCSEs to see what you did (ie; to see if you spread out across different areas or chose subjects focusing on one area) they don't really care for the grades unless there are two candidates who are both of equal standard in everything else.

[Chippiewill]

Only sixth forms/colleges care about GCSEs and they won't really notice the difference between an IGCSE & A GCSE. Universities look at GCSEs to see what you did (ie; to see if you spread out across different areas or chose subjects focusing on one area) they don't really care for the grades unless there are two candidates who are both of equal standard in everything else.

I disagree, at the higher standard universities (eg oxbridge) they won't accept you without all As/A*s at GCSE.

Also IGCSE doesn't have coursework, lurvly.

[Conservative,]

I disagree, at the higher standard universities (eg oxbridge) they won't accept you without all As/A*s at GCSE.

Also IGCSE doesn't have coursework, lurvly.

I assume thats why the exams are earlier.

And Oxbridge don't require As/A*s at GCSE necessarily. Especially if it's in (example) English and you want to study Maths. You couldve got a B in English and 100% in Maths they won't turn you down purely becaus you didn't do so well in English when it has nothing to do with the subject you want to study.

[dbgtz]

Unis do care about GCSEs, the uni I looked at the other day required 5 C's at gcse.

[Nemo]

I disagree, at the higher standard universities (eg oxbridge) they won't accept you without all As/A*s at GCSE.

Also IGCSE doesn't have coursework, lurvly.
not true, sister got a lot of **, few As and A*s but is still in oxford (gloat gloat gloat)


Honestly though, just get all ** and then As in the subjects that you wanna do and you're sorted

[Toasten]

I thought that iGCSE was equal to GCSE and just as difficult :L I feel that they do matter in a way of effecting future routes and how you are compared to others in competition for employment or education. Unlucky on the new course thing :(

[alexxxxx]

you need good GCSEs for good unis, especially as competition is so fierce.

[Yupt]

Igcse does require coursework, however it is done under controlled assessment. I still don't get why all if my exams are 4 weeks in advance, less time to work but major long study leave.

[GommeInc]

It's interestng really. Colleges don't particularly care what GCSEs you have provided the ones related to the course are good e.g. A in English for an English A Level. It's strange how Universities are the only place to care what GCSEs you have in a wider spectrum.

[Conservative,]

Igcse does require coursework, however it is done under controlled assessment. I still don't get why all if my exams are 4 weeks in advance, less time to work but major long study leave.

That's like normal GCSEs...I really do not see any difference at all? Unless my school is doing iGCSEs but they're not telling us :L. I'm doing controlled assessments in French & English atm and will be doing more in all of my subjects so this sounds like my GCSE course although no one has been told it's not just a GCSE?...


It's interestng really. Colleges don't particularly care what GCSEs you have provided the ones related to the course are good e.g. A in English for an English A Level. It's strange how Universities are the only place to care what GCSEs you have in a wider spectrum.

Universities don't care unless you fail particular GCSEs...I mean if you're going to apply to Cambridge to study history but you failed English...then you are unlikely to get in because it's related to History (lost of essay writing and have to have a good use of english ect.) but if you're applying for History and you failed Art...it won't matter (but I doubt they'd take you if you failed any subject...but you get my point).

[Matthew]

Yeh im doing the iGCSE

Im sure its more advanced, the lower sets in my school are only doing the regular GCSE

[Conservative,]

Yeh im doing the iGCSE

Im sure its more advanced, the lower sets in my school are only doing the regular GCSE

That sounds like "higher" tier...of what GCSE....SO CONFUSED :S! I must be doing this iGCSE? :S

[Matthew]

That sounds like "higher" tier...of what GCSE....SO CONFUSED :S! I must be doing this iGCSE? :S

You would know if you are, it would say on the textbook :P

[Conservative,]

You would know if you are, it would say on the textbook :P

I don't look at the front of the text books and most of our teachers don't use them. Lol.

[Matthew]

I don't look at the front of the text books and most of our teachers don't use them. Lol.

You would know if you were doing igcse.

Not all schools are doing it aswell i think

[Conservative,]

You would know if you were doing igcse.

Not all schools are doing it aswell i think

I'll ask my teachers but okay...It sounds exactly the same as higher tier GCSE though..I can't see the difference?

[Matthew]

I'll ask my teachers but okay...It sounds exactly the same as higher tier GCSE though..I can't see the difference?

just look at your textbook

you must have a textbook; surely?
if not then an exam schedule possibly?

[Conservative,]

just look at your textbook

you must have a textbook; surely?
if not then an exam schedule possibly?

Neither LOL...or not on me anyway.

[Chippiewill]

And Oxbridge don't require As/A*s at GCSE necessarily. Especially if it's in (example) English and you want to study Maths. You couldve got a B in English and 100% in Maths they won't turn you down purely becaus you didn't do so well in English when it has nothing to do with the subject you want to study.

Entirely wrong. My tutor who has been to both Oxford, Cambridge and another High level university and has been handling UCAS forms being sent to Oxbridge for years assures me that you need all A*s/As at GCSE (Particularly English and Maths), it's more important than at A-Level. You have 0.01% chance of getting into Oxbridge with a B in English with A*s in everything else.