What is Edexcel iGCSE?

Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level

Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, and AS & A Level November 2024 past papers are now available.

Edexcel. Edexcel iGCSE, Edexcel IAS, Edexcel IAL

In 2003, Edexcel started to offer Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 14 – 16 years old. It has then changed its title to Edexcel International GCSE (iGCSE) in 2009. It is an international secondary school certification created by Edexcel Limited (commonly known as Edexcel). Edexcel Limited is a UK company, with 75% owned by Pearson PLC (a UK publishing conglomerate) and 25% by Edexcel Foundation (the charity which managed the board).

Today, Edexcel iGCSE is being offered to over 80 countries in the world, with 37 subjects available for international students. It also supports studentsโ€™ progression to the next stage of study which includes International A level (IAL).

Edexcel’s board iGCSE has a much straight forward approach, with only one type of paper combination for all learners. Thus, all learners have equal chances to score grade A* (or grade 9 with the new grading scale system).

Here is detailed information about Edexcel iGCSE:


Edexcel iGCSE Subjects

Edexcel board currently offers 37 subjects for the International GCSE examinations. Edexcel’s iGCSE curricula are well established, and consistent throughout the learners’ learning journey. The curricula do not constantly change and thus learners can learn with peace of mind.

Edexcel provides wide range of free resources, and thus learners are able to obtain them easily to aid their learning.

Edexcel iGCSE past exam papers are available free of charge. Therefore, you may get full sets of past exam papers with just one-click.

The well-arranged and well organised Edexcel iGCSE syllabi are also one of the essential resources to aid in learners’ iGCSE journey.

Learners typically proceed to Edexcel International AS & A Level (in short IAL) after completing Edexcel iGCSE examinations. Some might also choose the route to International Baccalaurreate. Either route will enable the learners to proceed to higher education in worldwide universities.


Edexcel iGCSE vs Edexcel GCSE

What is the difference between Edexcel iGCSE and Edexcel GCSE?

Edexcel GCSE is only available for UK schools. It follows the UK national curricula GCSE and its regulation body is Ofqual.

On the other hand, Edexcel iGCSE is available for schools out of the UK, and some private/independent schools in the UK. Its regulation body is Pearson. The programme is built on the UK GCSE curriculum and offers adaptation for overseas learners through the inclusion of localised and international content.

English First Language course testimonial (Carrie, Malaysia)

Assessments

Edexcel International GCSE holds two examinations every year ๏ผ June and November series.

Edexcel introduced a regular iGCSE November series starting from November 2023. It replaces the January series.โ€ฏ The final January series was January 2023.โ€ฏโ€ฏ

The assessments are by written examinations and in some syllabi, oral and coursework assessments are included.

Students must complete a minimum of 5 core subjects with at least grade 4 or above to progress to upper secondary study. However, this will vary from school to school and from country to country.

Linear and modular assessment systems

Doing all the assessments at the end of the twoโˆ’year studies, is called linear assessment. Which we are all very familiar with. It works well for many learners, but for some it might not.

Edexcel has introduced a new assessment system for first assessment year 2024, namely the modular assessment. Modular assessment enables you to break the journey into units with an exam at the end of each unit. Candidates can spread the exam pressure, and sit for exams whenever they feel prepared and ready.

No matter which route you choose, the exams take the same amount of time. Teachers also take the same amount of time teaching.

Pearson Edexcel is the only exam board offering modular assessments for International GCSE and International AS/A Level.

First teaching of modular International GCSE assessment has started from September 2023 and first assessment will be the May/June 2024 examination series, for the following subjects:

  • Accounting
  • Commerce
  • Economics
  • English Language A
  • English Literature
  • Geography
  • History
  • Religious Studies

The following subjects are available for first teaching from September 2024, and first assessment from May/June 2025 examination series:

  • Maths A
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Double Award

Note:
The modular assessment route is only available to schools outside of the UK.

Paper-based or onscreen assessments

Candidates are now able to choose either paper-based or onscreen assessments.

Pearsonโ€™s secure onscreen assessments are the same as the paper-based assessments. The same questions are answered but the method of responding is different onscreen as candidates type their responses. Candidates will take their assessments at a centre, under exam conditions, working on devices.

Below are the list of subjects and the year of assessments for available subjects.

First assessmentQualification and subject
2022
2023
International GCSE English Language A
International GCSE English Literature
2024International GCSE Business
International GCSE Economics
International GCSE History
International A level English Literature
International A level English Language
2025International GCSE Geography
International GCSE Pakistan Studies
International GCSE Islamic Studies
GCSE English Language
GCSE English Language 2.0
GCSE English Literature

Grading

Starting from 2019, a new 9-1 grading scale applies to all Edexcel iGCSEs, in order to follow the recent GCSE reform in England. In this new grading scale, there will be 9 levels of performance rather than 8 from the previous A*๏ผG grading structure.

Grade 9 represents a new level of attainment for the very top performers and is higher than an A* grade. Furthermore, with three new grades 6, 5 and 4, there will be greater differentiation for middle performers, rather than with two grades (B and C).

This new 9โ€“1 grading scale was introduced by the UK government to raise standards and recognise outstanding performance. It improves differentiation between learners with a nine (9โ€“1), rather than an eight (A*โ€“G), point grading scale. This means that students are ideally placed to make progress to International A Levels (IAL) and to universities worldwide.


Edexcel iGCSE Recognition

Top universities and colleges worldwide recognise Edexcel iGCSE qualification as GCSE equivalents, on a grade for grade basis. Some of these universities include all UK universities, Canadian universities including the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, and universities across Asia.

However, students are advised to confirm acceptance of the new 9-1 grading from their desired universities and colleges before sitting for exams.

Edexcel graduates often get accepted into world-renowned universities, and earn high recognitions. View some of the candidates’ admissions into top universities worldwide.


Resources

Our valuable A* resources had produced thousands of A* scorers around the world. Check them out below.

A* Model Answers:

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.

Online Courses:

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.

Past papers:

We have the most complete past exam papers library on earth (no kidding!). Choose your exam board and download everything with one click.

Subject syllabus:

Get the latest exam syllabus and plan your study accordingly.

Key Dates:

Find out the exam registration and results released key dates for IGCSE and AS/A Level.

Exam Timetables:

Check your administrative zone, the exam dates and time. For both IGCSE and AS/A Level.

Exam Centres:

Find and locate the nearest exam centre for your location.

Frequently Asked Questions about Edexcel iGCSE

Please kindly read the Edexcel International GCSE FAQs here.

* Note: All relevant info is taken from Pearson Edexcel.

Free email courses

Join 60,657 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who've taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!

Free email courses

Joinย 60,657 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who’ve taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!

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138 responses

    1. Hello Arnab,

      Maths is considered as a core subject when applying to colleges/universities. Furthermore, some universities/colleges might require not more than 13 months apart between the first exam and the last.

      As such, you would need to complete and pass your iGCSE Maths before you can proceed to A Level.

      You may want to consider our A* online courses to help you with your exam preparations. These courses had produced many A* candidates worldwide. Please have a read at this page to learn how it works: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses.

      We hope this helps.

  1. I had taken igcse maths b and failed . now i want to take igcse maths A . so can I take maths a after completing advanced level or before advanced level

    1. Hi Arnab,

      Maths is considered as a core subject when applying to colleges/universities. Furthermore, some universities/colleges might require not more than 13 months apart between the first exam and the last.

      As such, you would need to complete and pass your iGCSE before you can proceed to A Level.

      You may want to consider our A* online courses to help you with your exam preparations. These courses had produced many A* candidates worldwide. Please have a read at this page to learn how it works: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses.

      We hope this helps.

  2. Can I take maths igcse exam after completing advanced level. Will my advanced level certificate become useless after taking maths igcse exam?

    1. Hello Arnab,

      It is recommended that students have completed the iGCSE counterpart before proceeding to A Level. As such, we suggest that you take your iGCSE first before taking your A Level exams.

      You may want to consider our A* online courses to help you with your exam preparations. These courses had produced many A* candidates worldwide. Please have a read at this page to learn how it works: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses

    1. Hello Arnab,

      It is possible however you might face date clashes incidents. This happened to many of our candidates before. We would suggest you not to register for both iGCSE and AS Level in the same examination series, separating them out would be more manageable.

    1. Hello Arnab,

      It is not advisable to sit for both IGCSE and A Level in the same examination series. This is due to high possibility to have timetable clashes, and also high pressure to study both levels at the same time. We suggest you first sit for IGCSE exams, then proceed to A Level in the next examination series.

      We hope this helps.

        1. Hello Arnab,

          It is possible however you might face date clashes incidents. This happened to many of our candidates before. We would suggest you not to register for both iGCSE and AS Level in the same examination series, separating them out would be more manageable.

  3. Can I take maths igcse exam after completing advanced level. Will my advanced level certificate become useless after taking maths igcse exam.

    1. Hello Arnab,

      Do you plan to retake the Edexcel iGCSE Maths to improve your grades, or you will take it for the first time?

        1. Hello Arnab,

          It is recommended that students have completed the iGCSE counterpart before proceeding to A Level. As such, we suggest that you take your iGCSE first before taking your A Level exams.

          You may want to consider our A* online courses to help you with your exam preparations. These courses had produced many A* candidates worldwide. Please have a read at this page to learn how it works: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses.

        1. Hello Arnab,

          We strongly suggest that you pass your iGCSE Maths first before moving on to A Level. It is highly suggested that candidates with qualification such as an iGCSE in Maths will highly benefit from taking A Level Maths.

          We hope this helps. Thank you.

    1. Hello Arnab,

      Thank you for writing in.

      As far as we know, starting from 2019 Edexcel iGCSE is using the 9 to 1 grading scale. Following the new grading scale, E falls between grade 2 and 3. It is considered as pass

      Fail is when you see “UNGRADED” on your Statement of Results.

      We hope this helps.

    1. Hello Arnab,

      Thank you for writing in.

      As far as we know, starting from 2019 Edexcel iGCSE is using the 9 to 1 grading scale. Following the new grading scale, G falls under grade 1. It is considered as pass but we suggest that you get confirmation from respective schools/colleges/universities on this matter. Each school/college/university has its own entry requirements.

      We hope this helps.

        1. Hello Arnab,

          Do you plan to retake the Edexcel iGCSE Maths to improve your grades, or you will take it for the first time?

  4. Does it mean that a school is accredited to Pearson if it is certified as a test center? if yes, is the school allowed to use the Pearson IGCSE curriculum?

  5. Hello ,I am Aravinda Dahanayaka _ An English teacher in Edexcel curriculum .I am looking forward to doing soma model papers in English language and Anthology A ,prior to the exam to be commenced in 2018 ,therefore will be able to find some model papers along with answers . Please help me as I desperately need my students get A* and A ..thanks

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