Descriptive vs Narrative Essays
The IGCSE English First Language exam places a strong emphasis on creative writing, with writing descriptive and narrative essays being
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Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, and AS & A Level November 2024 past papers are now available.
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is a secondary school leaving certificate for schools in the UK.
GCSE exams were being introduced as compulsory secondary school leaving certificates by the UK government in the late 1980s, with the first exam taken in 1988. Since then, GCSE has replaced the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) and GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) examinations.
GCSE has moved its focus away from merely theoretical studies. It teaches students about real-world implications and issues relating to ICT and citizenship. At the same time, students are required to do coursework as part of the contribution to each subject’s grades. However, during the 2015 GCSE reforms, GCSE courses now have less coursework and are only included to assess essential skills.
A new grading scale of 9 to 1 was also introduced in 2015. The highest grade is 9, while 1 is the lowest, not including a U (ungraded). This is to allow greater differentiation between students and will help distinguish the new GCSEs from previous versions. See the table below comparing the new grading structure to the old grading structure.
After completing GCSE, students will continue their studies to Advance Level (A-Level) in their current schools’ sixth form, or enroll on Foundation courses in universities or colleges.
Students are required to obtain five or more 4-9 grades, including English and Maths to further their studies to A-Level. Most universities are typically required a minimum grade of C in both English and Maths in GCSE, regardless of students’ achievements in A-Level or Foundation courses.
*Relevant info is taken from Ofqual.
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Lanja Omer
United Arab Emirates
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24 responses
Hi IGCSE Team !
Do you have past papers for o levels ??
Hi Eman,
Yes we do. We will upload them shortly. Please stay tune.
Hi
I got this in my IGCSE 2016
Biology-C
Chemistry-C
English-B
Kiswahili-A
Maths-A
Sociology-A
History-C
Is it possible for me to do medicine or any medical course in the UK?
Hi Ben,
Most of the medical courses require minimum Grade B and above for Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English. You may want to check which universities would accept these grades. Otherwise, you might consider to re-sit some subjects.
Hi, I’m a South African & am homeschooling my daughter who will be writing her IGCSE exams in June 2018. One of the subjects she wants to do is Design & Technology but this is not available to private students. Could you please recommend an equivalent subject that will allow her to take Design & Technology in A levels.
Hello Jessica,
What we could suggest you is to find a school that accept private candidate. Just locate them here: https://www.cie.org.uk/i-want-to/find-a-cambridge-school/
If you wish to take the same subject in A Level, you need to take it with a school.
Is IGCSE accepted in philippine colleges and universities? Should i change my school? Thank you so much. I’m just worried they might not accept. I’m studying Igcse in Kuwait.
Hi Sarah,
As far as we know, they are accepted. If you would like to know for sure, please write to the universities in the Philippines and find out more.
SUMMARY WRITING:
Sir/Madam,
It is observed that students and teachers as well are confused whether to write or not to write Title for Summary Writing, be it for IGCSE OR ASL.
First of all, no body is authorised to scrap or modify rules just to suit their whims and fancy.
Rules were being followed very strictly as per the earlier Cambridge almost two and a half decades ago, which now is being operated under the name of ICSE in India.and internationally it is IGCSE.
Keeping in mind that English being a global language, cannot have any disparity. I am very often questioned, being a Profess but also being a Corporate Trainer, when I teach English and Business English as well.
Presume the Question paper has an extract depicting about Orangutans and Chimpanzees. And the student is asked to extract points related to the behaviour of the Orangutans and the Chimpanzees….
How does it justify not to give a title to this sort of a summary.
As per the knowledge gained over the years, it stands right to give a title in Summary Writing.
If a title is already given (Eg. BATS) and the student has been asked to write about the BATS, in that case, the student can use the same title.
Kindly confirm facts with evidence and if Cambridge University is scrapping Title for Summary Writing, then confirm on what grounds, and who is authorised to do so and why.
Just for your knowledge – Father of Grammar and Composition is FOWLER AND FOWLERS.
I’m British and am educating my children at home in the U.S. I would prefer they take the GCSE and A level route. Is there a website where I can find out about the possibility of this and the cost? Many thanks.
Hi Rebecca,
You may check with the nearest British Council, and see if they do offer GCSE in the US. Otherwise, IGCSE is the equivalent to GCSE that you might want to consider. Definitely A-Level is available after IGCSE.
Hi, is there a validity period for the IGCSE holder to apply for university enrolment or ‘A’ Levels? Thanks!
Hello Eddy,
That is very much depending on the entry requirement from the university. Please check with your desired university.
Hi, I am momina from Pakistan. I study in a school that offers o levels. I don’t have good teachers but we are paying a lot of money. I just wanted to ask that can I give my IGCSE the next year privately as my school isn’t providing me good teachers. Can I give the papers without being registered in a school or I have to join a good school to give my papers?
Hi Momina,
You can always sit for the exam as “Private Candidate”. Just register yourself with the nearest British Council.
Hi tell me what subject ts r needed to pursue interior designing currently in 8th grade
Please tell me the american, australian and canadian schools in batu pahat malaysia.
Hello there, sorry that we do not have any information regarding this matter.