IGCSE Exams: A Complete Guide for International Students

If you are thinking of heading overseas to earn your university degree, you may want to consider the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is a globally recognized set of exams that students usually take between the ages of 14 and 16. University admissions teams use these exam scores as one factor in determining whether to accept a student. Read on to discover if these exams are right for you and how to prepare for them.

What Is the IGCSE?

While not as important as the SAT or A-Level exam scores to admissions teams, universities still use the IGCSE to measure a student’s college readiness. If you are considering taking the ICGSEs, there are many decisions to make: 

• How many IGCSEs do I need to take, and what scores do I need to earn? Universities differ in their number of required exams and acceptable score ranges.

• Which IGCSE subjects should I take? There are more than 70 test subjects available. 

• Does my exam provider matter? There are at least three providers. Some offer more subjects and have more study resources than others. 

If you plan on studying abroad and your education system is different from the United Kingdom, you need answers to these and other questions about the IGCSE. 

First, let’s compare the IGCSE to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualification, the version for UK-based students. Then, we’ll take a closer look at your IGCSE options and how to choose the right exams for your goals. 

GCSE vs IGCSE: What’s the Difference?

Educators created the GCSE examination and the IGCSE exams qualifications to show core levels of competency in different areas of study. 

• The GCSE is for British or UK-based students. 

• The IGCSE is for everyone else (and possibly some British students, too), especially students who want to study in a different country. 

The IGCSE exams are modeled on the GCSE, which means that it’s the international equivalent for university admissions in the UK. While not always necessary in other countries, the IGCSE is accepted and considered for admission to most top universities around the globe, including these top 100 universities in the US: 

• Florida International University 

• Gonzaga University

• University of Illinois Chicago

Why Should I Take the IGCSE? 

There are several reasons to take the IGCSE. The universities you want to attend may require you to take several IGCSE exams and get a specific score, such as five exams with a minimum grade of C/5. The IGCSE demonstrates to programs that you are competent in core subjects, as well as subjects specific to your major. 

That said, the IGCSE isn’t required in every university worldwide. Most US-based universities do not require it. 

So, how do you know if it’s worth taking the IGCSE exams? Let’s consider a few potential scenarios. 

Should I Consider Taking the IGCSE? 

• I want to enter an International Baccalaureate or UK-based pathway program, like the Foundations Accelerator program at Heriot-Watt University. Yes, you should take the IGCSEs. In fact, you will likely be required to take them. Students starting a global college or pathway program, such as at Heriot-Watt University Dubai or Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, are subject to the same requirement.

• I’m considering a UK-based university program. Yes. Most programs in the UK require a certain number of IGCSEs and A-Level exam grades. The average number of IGCSEs required is five, but many students choose to take seven or eight. 

• I’m considering programs in non-UK countries, including the United States. Maybe. You must decide if it’s worth taking any IGCSEs to keep your options open. Most US-based universities accept the IGCSE, but do not require them. 

• Help! I need to take the ICGSEs with no prep. Taking an exam-oriented qualification instead of one that involves a lot of curriculum work can help cut down the time required to prepare.  Some online tutors and other sources say you can prepare for seven ICSEs in three months. 

What Are the IGCSE Exam Boards?

Three different boards provide the exam:

• Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): This option is considered more exam-based, which means less preparation for students who don’t have a lot of time. 

• Pearson Edexcel: This exam emphasizes curriculum learning and exams. It offers an impressive number of resources and subjects from which students can choose. 

• Oxford AQA: The newest provider is known for its innovative combination of assessments, coursework, and exams. Oxford AQA offers a growing list of subjects and studying resources. 

Which Board Is Right for Me? 

The CAIE has the most subject options, is most widely recognized, and has the most available resources for preparation. Example resources for exam prep include: 

• Textbooks with ancillary resources 

• Syllabi, past papers and specimen papers, and revision guides 

• Digital learning resources such as Cambridge Go

It’s essential to check with the university program you are interested in, as it may have specific requirements. 

University Requirements for the IGCSE

Most UK-based universities require at least five IGCSEs with good grades (typically A*-C or 9-4), especially in core subjects. In addition to three exam boards, there are two accepted grading scales.

• Letter-based: Traditional format 

• Number-based: Recently introduced 

“Mostly every student will be awarded in the numerical scale, which has come in within the past five years,” said Stuart Rae, director of enrollment at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. “The scale now is generally 1 to 9 — there might be one board that is still doing alphabetical, which is why the qualifications are listed both.”

Students who want to attend Heriot-Watt University Dubai need to score a 5/C on five exams or more. 

“Heriot-Watt is above average rank, but we’re not a selecting university. Are you applying to Heriot-Watt or a similar school?” said Stuart. “My advice is to find out what your program’s entry requirements are and then focus on doing the best you can in those before worrying about anything additional.”

Remember, while important, IGCSEs are not as important as A-Level exam scores and are less critical factors at universities in the US and Canada, too. 

In the US, IGCSEs are less important than transcripts, SAT/ACT, or TOEFL/IELTS (English language exam) scores. Doing well on your IGCSEs is generally not enough to start at a UK university without higher-level exams and classroom experience that show you are ready to start. 

Choosing the Right ICGSEs

Through Cambridge, there are 70 IGCSE subject qualifications from which students can choose, but you likely only have to take five to seven. 

“At Heriot-Watt, we expect the average student to have six or seven subject qualifications,” said Stuart. Requirements will vary by school. 

Tips for Picking Which Exams to Take

Start with foundational courses — most universities require core qualifications. “Maths, science, and English — language and literature — are some of the main ones for the GCSE,” said Stuart. “It would be unusual for a student to set a profile of GCSE exams and not have those included to successfully graduate.” 

Make sure you check the course requirements for the university programs that interest you — some schools have minimum requirements, and others expect students to take more. These could include “the Russell Group universities like Cambridge and Oxford, and ancient institutions like St. Andrews University, that are highly competitive,” said Stuart. “If you’re applying there, then you would have to probably take 12 exams and score all As.” 

Add elective-type qualifications that align with your studies and areas of interest. “If you are studying for physics, you would have at least done a science GCSE or IGCSE to demonstrate that you’d be able to cope with the rigor of the course,” said Stuart. “But it really depends on the program. You wouldn’t have to take an IGCSE in history to study that subject at the degree level, for example. Just an interest is enough.” 

Consider the workload: Don’t take so many that you cannot study and perform well. “It makes more sense to prioritize quality over quantity, especially at Heriot-Watt,” said Stuart. For example, fewer high scores are preferable than a lower average across more exams (e.g., taking seven ICGSEs and getting an average of C compared to getting five A’s).  

When Do I Take the IGCSE Exams?

The IGCSE exams align with the GCSEs, which are part of the secondary school curriculum in the UK, culminating with a two-month exam period that ends compulsory education (usually around May and June). 

Exams happen around age 15 to 16 in the UK and ages 14 to 16 around the rest of the world. Here’s a quick reminder of how the UK education system levels and years correlate to other countries:

* When students typically take their GCSEs or IGCSEs

How Do I Prepare for the IGCSE Exams? 

In addition to classroom curriculum work, which may be available at your school, many publishers offer books and digital test prep options. Exam boards often make previous papers and exams available for preparation purposes. Many students also create a calendar to prepare. 

How Do I Register for the IGCSEs?

The traditional time to take the IGCSE is May/June, with scores reported in August. All exam boards provide options during this period. However, each provider has an alternative testing period, as well. Check the registration site for the most up-to-date deadlines.

Make sure to check with each exam board for up-to-date information. Each board also offers alternative testing dates. Check each board website for more information, or check the British Council website for more information on registering for your IGCSE. 

• CAIE: October/November testing dates 

• Pearson Edexcel: November

• Oxford International AQA Examinations:  November, January

Many students sign up for and take the IGCSE exams through their secondary schools or through a private testing facility in their area. Accommodations are available through each exam board. Your exam board provider can help with logistics and prep.  

How Much Does the IGCSE cost? 

Costs vary depending on where you are located, which test you plan on taking, and if you are registering late. You should always check to confirm the cost of your qualification test; however, a general estimate for each exam board in USD is:

• CAIE: $75-150

• Pearson Edexcel: $70-140

• Oxford AQA: $65-130

Can I Retake the IGCSE? 

Generally, you can retake the exam if you did not perform as well as you wanted. Check with your school to confirm. IGCSE scores do not expire.

Shorelight Is Here to Help

Whether you take the GCSE examinations or the IGCSE exams is going to largely depend on where you live and what your university ambitions are. Chances are, if you live outside the UK, you will take the IGCSEs. Whether you should take the exams and which IGCSEs you should take are dependent on your career and study ambitions. 

If you have additional queries about the GCSE or IGCSE exams, you can reach out to a Shorelight representative for support.

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