IGCSE English as a Second Language: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
Preparing for your IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) exam can feel daunting. You are not just learning grammar
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
Announcement:
Cambridge International Education no longer be an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation from December 20, 2024.
Thousands of learners use Cambridge International AS & A Level every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide. Students develop a deep understanding of subjects, as well as independent learning and constructive thinking skills － abilities which universities value highly.
Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year.
Learners have the freedom to take Cambridge International AS Levels as qualifications in their own right, or as part of a progression to Cambridge International A Level. Learners can study for AS Level alongside A Level subjects to increase breadth in the curriculum and to build further knowledge and understanding.
The curricula are flexible. Learners can take almost any combination of 55 subjects. Learners can specialise or study a range of subjects, ensuring breadth.
Below are the Subject Groups for 55 subjects:
Learners use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels are viewed as equivalent to the AS and A Levels taken by learners in the UK, and are accepted for entrance to all UK universities.
In places such as the United States and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one year of university course credit.
Over 500 US universities accept Cambridge International AS & A Levels, including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus universities. These universities include Brown, Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Yale.
Research carried out* looked at whether Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepared learners for continued studies in colleges and universities in the US, as well as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programmes. The findings suggest that Cambridge quali cations compare favourably with the other programmes.
<* Published in the Journal of College Admission (Number 213, Fall 2011)>
Learners receive a separate grade for each subject that he/she takes.
Cambridge International A Levels are graded from A* – E. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for an E grade at A Level may be awarded a compensatory AS Level.
Cambridge International AS Levels are graded from a to e. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for grade e at AS Level will be ungraded.
The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group certificate which requires learners to study subjects drawn from three curriculum areas within AS and A Level: mathematics and science, languages, and arts and humanities.
Learners can choose from a range of assessment options:
Option one
Take the AS Level only. The AS Level syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
Option two**
Take a ‘staged assessment route’ – take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final A Level in a subsequent series.
(** The staged assessment route is not possible in all subjects. The outcomes awarded for Cambridge International AS Level language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to Cambridge International A Level.)
Option three
Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination series, usually at the end of the course.
Our valuable A* resources had produced thousands of A* scorers around the world. Check them out below.
Our internationally loved exam model answers had helped thousands of students in scoring A/A*. Schools and teachers worldwide have used these resources to aid in their teachings. Learn what an A* answer like, copy the style and score A* in your exam.
Our word-renowned IGCSE and AS/A Level courses had produced more than 1100 A/A* scorers worldwide. They are suitable for schooled or home-schooled candidates, and as full course or revision course.
We have the most complete past exam papers library on earth (no kidding!). Choose your exam board and download everything with one click.
Get the latest exam syllabus and plan your study accordingly.
Find out the exam registration and results released key dates for IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Check your administrative zone, the exam dates and time. For both IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Find and locate the nearest exam centre for your location.
Please kindly read the AS & A Level FAQs here.
Note: CIE (Cambridge International Examination board) has its name changed to CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) since October 2017.
In October 2023, CAIE updated its name, logo, look, and messaging. Cambridge International Education is the new name of the awarding body of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This name will be used on materials related to administering exams and awarding qualifications.
Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who've taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who’ve taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
Somya Damania
India
Ahmad Kadiri
South Africa
Omayma Muhammad
Saudi Arabia
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86 responses
Hello. May I know the consequences of writing the wrong centre number? I think I may have been writting my centre number wrong for the first half of my exams and I am worried if the papers may be graded U. My candidate number and name are correct, does that help in tracking my papers back to me?
Hi Julian,
There are some cases if the name and candidate number is written on the paper then CIE can still manage to grant the grade to the candidate properly. It will just cause some minor manual handling? So next time please read the instructions and write properly.
But you may contact CIE, https://www.cie.org.uk, directly regarding this matter.
Hi there I am a mom we are in Qatar as expect teachers my son is in grade 12 now cambridfe cirriculumbut is very unhappy at school how can i vo about to homeschool his last year but Im unable to teach him though
Dear Nadine,
If you wish to embark on homeschooling your son, please follow this step-by-step guidance, to find out if home education is for you: https://www.skolatis.com/what-is-homeschooling/ . You decide the subjects, together with your son, based on what he wants to study in the future.
These resources might also help him with his revision:
A-Level syllabus: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-international-as-a-level-syllabuses/
A-Level past papers: https://www.skolatis.com/as-a-level-past-exam-papers/
You may also need to source private tuition help if you are unable to teach him.
Hi,
I will be entering A Level after completing IGCSE, and when i downloaded all the past paper’s I found that math’s 9707 has been divided into 3 parts: Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Probability and Statistics. When I checked the sciences (Bio, Phy, Che) they were not.
My teacher told me to check again but I didn’t find anything. So, I am asking you.
Thanks,
Hi Ali,
At AS level, teachers can choose from three different routes to Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics: Pure Mathematics only, Pure Mathematics and Mechanics, or Pure Mathematics and Probability & Statistics.
At A Level, teachers can also choose from different routes to Cambridge International A Level Mathematics depending on the choice of applied mathematics (Mechanics and/or Probability and Statistics).
Please note: From 2020 Cambridge International A Level Mathematics has two different routes: Pure Mathematics and Probability & Statistics only; or Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Probability & Statistics.
You may check the subject syllabus for more details: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-international-as-a-level-syllabuses/
You may also refer to CIE?s website here: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-mathematics-9709/
Hello,
I just wanted to know whether after remarking if your marks decrease, they let you choose between the original one and the remarked one or the final remarked one is your final score sheet. Thank you for your time.
-Shivani
Hi Shivani,
The remark is the final one that counts, whether it was better or worse than your original.
I have completed my 10th grade from an Indian board.Can I sit for as level exams as a private candidate?
Hi George,
Yes, you may register as a private candidate. Once you have decided to register as a private candidate, you will have to check the British Council at your local area or you can also find a list of registered Cambridge schools in your local area here: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/ and check with school if they accept private candidate