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.
O-Level is the abbreviation of Ordinary Level. It is one of the two-part GCE (General Certificate of Education). The second part of GCE is Advanced Level (A-Level), which students enter after completing O-Level.
O-Level is the final certification for secondary school, to be taken at fifth form or year 11 at approximately age 17 (or age group 14-16). Students that have completed O-Level are considered to have completed formal education. They can further their studies to A-Level (at their schools’ sixth form or private colleges), Foundation Courses or diploma courses, or simply leaving school.
There are a few exam bodies offer O-Level, for example CAIE board, American Council for Higher Education and Edexcel International. Though schools in the UK had replaced O-Level with GCSE in 1988, it is still used in many Commonwealth countries, such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and also in Trinidad and Tobago. (Some schools in the UK have reverted back to exams based on O-Level at the later stage.)
O-levels are predominantly exam-based. Therefore, this is advantages for students in part-time or evening education. Some commentators criticised this mainly exam-based approach as offering only partial proof of the student’s overall ability in comparison with other methods (e.g., coursework-based assessment). There was no summative “school certificate”: each subject was a separate O-level in its own right.
(Below are the information for O Level from the CAIE exam board only.)
Cambridge O Level is an internationally recognised qualification equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and the UK GCSE. It provides learners with excellent preparation for academic progression to Cambridge Advanced as well as other progression routes.
Cambridge O Levels has been designed especially for an international audience. They are sensitive to the needs of different countries and for learners whose first language may not be English. The curriculum also enables teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant wherever you teach it.
In some parts of the world, schools use Cambridge O Level as an international alternative to the local national examination.
You can choose from more than 40 subjects in any combination to provide the building blocks to create your own curriculum. Students normally take 7-9 subjects in the O-Level exam, with maximum allowable 14 subjects.
Many schools allocate a total of about 130 hours for each Cambridge O Level subject, but how much time a school devotes to each subject will depend on a variety of factors. Though Cambridge sets the syllabus, but the school decides on the method of teaching. Candidates must enter for Cambridge O Levels through a registered school or exam centre. Your school or exam centre will be able to give you more details about how candidates work towards these assessments.
At school, more able candidates may study six or seven subjects at Cambridge O Level, but less able candidates may have a much more modest programme. In order to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, most candidates take courses from each of the five Cambridge O Level groups (Languages; Humanities and Social Sciences; Sciences; Mathematics; and Business, Creative, Technical and Vocational). However, it is also possible to study individual Cambridge O Level subjects if this better suits the candidate’s needs.
Cambridge O Level courses usually take two years to complete and exams are taken at the end of that period.
Assessment takes place at the end of the course and includes written, practical and oral assessment. This broadens opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, particularly when their first language is not English.
Grades are benchmarked using six internationally recognised grades, from A* to E. Therefore, it has clear guidelines to explain the standard of achievement.
Grade A* is awarded for the highest level of achievement, and grade E indicates minimum satisfactory performance. Grade U (Ungraded) is commonly regarded as fail.
Cambridge O Level examination series occur twice a year, in June and November. Results release is in August and January.
Many universities worldwide require a combination of Cambridge International A Levels and Cambridge O Levels to meet their entry requirements. Leading US and Canadian universities require Cambridge International AS & A Levels, but some US and Canadian colleges and universities will accept learners with five Cambridge O Levels at grade C
or above.
In the UK, Cambridge O Level is accepted as equivalent to the GCSE. Many UK universities look at Cambridge O Level grades, as well as predicted grades for Cambridge International A Level, when making admissions decisions.
Universities in many countries, including Canada and the USA, will admit students on the basis of their Cambridge O-Level performances alone. Grade C in Cambridge O-Level English Language satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
Although IGCSE and O Level are equivalent qualifications grade for grade, they are two different qualifications. IGCSE sets international standards, on the other hand, O Level syllabus meets specific local needs in each country. Other notable differences are the grading scale, assessment techniques, and coursework options.
| IGCSE | O Level | |
| Grading | Grades are awarded from A* (highest grade) to G (lowest) | Grades are awarded from A* to E |
| Assessment techniques | Tests oral and practical skills | Focuses on writing and reading skills in language subjects Restricted practical test options in sciences |
| Coursework options | Available in many syllabuses | Fewer coursework options |
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 O 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!
Preparing for your IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) exam can feel daunting. You are not just learning grammar
Choosing the right educational pathway for your child is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. In
The IGCSE English First Language exam places a strong emphasis on creative writing, with writing descriptive and narrative essays being
In the IGCSE English First Language Directed Writing task, you’ll be required to either write a speech, letter, or article
572 responses
hi
i want to study for (IT) computer science for that i have to clear my o-level and a-level exam so how can i do my o-level exam.
Hi Mushkgan,
You should start doing your revision based on the latest syllabus: (https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-o-level-subjects-syllabuses) and practice with the latest past exam papers (https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-o-level-past-exam-papers/). Start with the latest paper as they have the newest syllabus format and continue with the older one date back from 5 to 10 years. Then, revise on the most common mistake you always seem to make.
i have got E grade for maths and physics Ordinary level Cambridge.. and I am currently doing my Advance level.. will it affect my career?
Hi Fahad,
If you plan to further your studies this might affect your application at university level. It is best to check the entry requirements with the university you wish to apply to. If you wish to retake your exams, you are free to do so. Just make sure that they do not clash with your A-level exams.
Hi, Im from Malaysia
I would like to know is there anyway I could take the A-level exam without O level or equivalent?
sit as private candidate for example?
Hi LL,
If you have finished high school, you do not need to take O level anymore. Just proceed to A level.
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
I have the same case and I want to retake one of the exams, but I completed my o levels in 2016 so do you know whether I still have chance to retake it now in 2019??
Dear Luna,
It?s not too late to re-take your exams. However, there are no IGCSE exams in January. There are two exam series for UK and International: November and June while India has March series. Kindly read this article to know more about key dates: https://www.skolatis.com/exam-registration-dates/
Furthermore, IGCSE and O-level are two different examinations but of equivalent qualification. As such, ask your preferred university if they do not have a strict rules such as: all qualifications must be from the same examination board, since you?ve completed your O-levels already and you plan to take IGCSE Mathematics.
You may also be interested in our online revision course. These had helped numerous students to score A*. For more information, kindly read this: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/
I am a private student and would like to take IGCSE. However, for the English paper, I prefer to sit O level English 1123 as substitute for IGCSE First Language English 0500.Can I do that..? Please Patrickadvise.
Hi Patrick,
Yes, you may take both O-level and IGCSE subjects. But please be guided that IGCSE and O-level are different examination boards and it will all depend on what you want to study in the future. We suggest you to find out the acceptance of different examination boards for different subject from the university that you?re planning to apply to.
Also beware when you want to take both IGCSE and O Level exams in the same examination series, as you might face dates clashes incidents. This happened to many of our candidates before.
Hello
I need access to O level Mathematics past paper from 2002 to 2009. Can you share with me please.
Mamta
Hi Mamta,
Kindly check it here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-o-level-past-exam-papers/
Hello. My son is in year 10. I would like to know 1) how is the certification fo IGCSE done? Is it per subject or there?s one certificate with the aggregate grade?
2) if one doesnt achieve the requisite grade on a particular subject, is it possible to resit only that subject and how does affect the student progression to the next level?
Hi Joyce,
To answer your questions, your son will receive individual certificate per subject. There are no aggregate grade. If your son fails in one subject, he may take the test again. There will be no repercussion with regards to IGCSE but it will depend on your son?s chosen school/college/university entry requirement if he ever plans to pursue further studies.
Kindly read this article to learn more about IGCSE: https://www.skolatis.com/what-is-igcse/.