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.
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Amal Elsayed
Kuwait
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572 responses
Hi.
I have completed my IGCSE on 2016 but unfortunately I couldn’t score A or B or C in Maths and now I need Maths to have any of these grades to join a certain university.
Will I be able to repeat Maths IGCSE now as in on January 2019?
At least can you tell me how long does one have chance to retake an IGCSE exam after they have first attended it?
Hi 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/
Can I plz tell me how many subjects are in o levels?? Actually I don?t know anything about this because i am starting o levels now so plz tell me !???
Hi Mishal,
There is no minimum subject required for O Level if you?re a private candidate, and the maximum number of subjects you can take is 14. However, if you are attached to a school, you must follow the minimum/maximum subjects as required by the school. With regards to what subjects are compulsory, it all depends on what do you want to study later. Please check on the university?s entry requirement in order to make a proper decision.
Hi! I would just like to no is it compulsory to give mathematics exam in o levels?
As I have 6 exams cleared. Except mathematics.
Thanks
Hi Ahmed,
It is wise to check with the universities that you wish to apply to, and get the confirmation on required subjects in accordance to the course you would like to study in the university.
You can check our A* online revision courses. These had helped numerous students to score A* The revision course provides video tutorial, revision timetable, downloadable exam-style practices, common mistakes candidates make during the exams, and also examiners’ advice. Every year we have two revision sessions. Our next revision session will be in August-September. Find out more here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/
Hi
I am Umamma from Pakistan. Is Urdu is included in IGCSE 6 subjects
Hi Umamma,
If you are attached to a school, you must follow the school?s subject options. However, if you are a private candidate you can choose your subjects. We suggest that you should decide on the subject based on what you want study in the university. You may also check on the university?s entry requirement. In this way you have 100% confirmation on the needed subjects.
Hi there!
I am an o-level student from Pakistan ,Studying in Rockford Cambridge School.Recently I have registered for Private exam Business studies for November session 2018 . But mistakenly i have registered for IGCSE level Business studies (0450) code instead of O-level Business studies (7115). I had applied for an application to British council But they replied,”repay your fees again” . And I can’t.
Q: Being an o-level student , if i gave an exam of IGCSE level , Would it become any problem for me in future?
Thanks 😀
Hi Arvan,
If your future study does not have strict rules such as: all qualifications must be from the same examination board, you can take different subject from different board. We strongly suggest you to check on the university entry requirements for your future studies.
Hi there, I would like to ask:
Seeing as IGCSE and O LEVELS are different examination boards, I was wondering if I could combine the two? I have already registered to write Art and Design for IGCSE this year, but I may not write the rest of my subjects in 2019. Rather than IGCSE, I plan to write the rest of my subjects at O level. Would I have to take up another subject at IGCSE level? If so, can it be a ‘third language’ or ‘foreign language’? Does IGCSE offer examinations for a third language?
Thank you.
Hi Lydia,
IGCSE has a minimum of 5 subjects that you need to take. You can refer to this page: https://www.skolatis.com/what-is-igcse/. Furthermore, you may check the list of all IGCSE subjects available here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-subjects-syllabuses/
If your future study does not have strict rules such as: all qualifications must be from the same examination board, you can take different subject from different board.
I just want to know how many subjects i will take in o level AND how many subjects are compulsary???
Least subject i will take for example can i take six or there is a option to take less tan six
Hello Zainab,
There is no minimum subject required for O Level if you?re a private candidate, and the maximum number of subjects you can take is 14. However, if you are attached to a school, you must follow the minimum/maximum subjects as required by the school. With regards to what subjects are compulsory, it all depends on what do you want to study later. Please check on the university?s entry requirement in order to make a proper decision.