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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Akshaya S T
Singapore
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572 responses
Hi..
a little question about the difference within my FCE and CAE with the GCE level. How is it different?
Hello Octroy,
FCE stands for First Certificate in English and CAE stands for Cambridge English: Advanced. The FCE is an upper intermediate level English assessment, while the CAE is an advanced level English assessment. Both exams are English qualifications that proves you can speak and write English to work or study in an English-speaking environment.
On the other hand, GCE A-Level is typically a two-year course. Candidates take A-Level to gain entry at leading universities worldwide. Learners can take almost any combination of 55 subjects to increase breadth in the curriculum and to build further knowledge and understanding. You may read more about A-Level here: https://www.skolatis.com/what-is-cambridge-international-as-a-level/
hi,i am javed(30y).i am working at local shop.i want to start my education again.can i sit o level exam again?
Hi Javed,
It is never too late to further one’s studies. You are free to sit your O-level exams again.
Here are some useful resources to help you with your exam preparations:
O Level syllabus: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-o-level-subjects-syllabuses/
O Level past papers: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-o-level-past-exam-papers/
You might also consider enrolling in our A* online revision course. Our courses are suitable for both IGCSE and O Level exams. To know how it works, kindly read this: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/
If you have further questions, please feel free to write to us again.
How long is my o level result valid for
Hi Waqas,
Once the Cambridge O-Level has been awarded it remains valid indefinitely. However, if you are planning to use the O-Level result to apply for university/college, we strongly suggest you to check with the respective university/college on their acceptance in terms of results from separate examination series.
Hi
Can you please explain what credits are and how they might effect me if I take business studies and economics together in o levels? Are credits important or just a precaution? It would be great if you could help.
Thank you
Hi Seran,
For O-level, you will receive a combined certificate for all the subjects you’ve taken. Taking Business Studies and Economics together, would be beneficial if you plan to take a business related course for your further studies.
Hi I want to know if having 2 electives and 4 compulsory subjects is alright. My electives are business and economics. The other four are math, English, world affairs and pakstudies. Does this effect any thing if I want to apply abroad?
Hello Seran,
It all depends on what you want to study later. Each university has their own set of entry requirements. It is best to check with the university directly.
You could search on the university’s website, and find out what are the required subjects for the course you would like to study in the future. In this way, you make precise decision than guessing.
i wanna know how many subjects were required to complete olevel? and which subjects are compulsory?
Hello Raffay,
College/university entry requirements are usually based on required subjects taken, not the amount of subjects taken. It is wise to check with the universities that wish you apply to, and get the confirmation on required subjects in accordance to the course you would like to study in the university.
I have a foreign passport so have dropped Urdu and Islamiat. Besides that I take business, economics and art. And math, English, world affairs and pakstudies as compulsory subjects. I am thinking of dropping art and want to know if it’s okay to have 2 electives and 4 mandatory subjects. I’m in my last year and I’m not interested in art and I don’t have time to pick up another subject. So is having 6 subjects okay? Considering they are 2 electives?
Hello Seran,
It all depends on what you want to study later. Each university has their own set of entry requirements. It is best to check with the university directly.
You could search on the university’s website, and find out what are the required subjects for the course you would like to study in the future. In this way, you make precise decision than guessing.
Is math necessary or can we skip it ??
Hi Salma,
English, Maths and Sciences are considered as core subjects and used as a guideline as it fit most universities’ entry requirements. But we do suggest that you should decide on the subjects based on what you want to study in the university.
Each university has their own set of entry requirements. It is best to check with the university directly.You could search on the university’s website, and find out what are the required subjects for the course you would like to study in the future. In this way, you have 100% confirmation on the needed subjects.