An internationally recognised qualification for school students, typically at the 14-16 stage. Cambridge IGCSE was developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in 1988. Examination board Edexcel, part of Pearson_PLC (a media company), offers its own alternative version, the iGCSE.
The Cambridge IGCSE is typically taken by 14 to 16-year–olds, and it prepares students for further academic work, including progression to A Level, AS Level study, Cambridge Pre-U and the IB Diploma Programme. Cambridge IGCSEs are recognised by academic institutions and employers around the world. UCAS recognises Cambridge IGCSE as equivalent to the UK GCSE I DON'T BELIEVE THIS.
In February 2009, 16 Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses received Ofqual accreditation. They are listed on the UK National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ)[1]. (For accreditation purposes, the syllabuses are referenced as 'Cambridge International Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates' in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. They continue to be known across the world as Cambridge IGCSE.)
CIE is currently in discussion with the UK Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on whether state schools can have the same access to Cambridge IGCSE as UK independent schools, 300 of whom offer it.
Cambridge IGCSE provides a broad study programme and covers subjects from a variety of areas: Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational. Most IGCSE subjects offer a choice of Core or Extended papers in Cambridge, and foundation or higher papers in Edexcel. This is designed to make IGCSE suitable for students with varying levels of ability. In some subjects, IGCSE can be taken with or without coursework.
Cambridge IGCSE allows teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant in different regions. It is intended to be suitable for students whose first language may not be English and this is acknowledged throughout the examination progress.
In 2008, Cambridge IGCSE papers in more than 70 subjects were taken by students in over 120 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Egypt, Kuwait, India, Bahrain, UAE and New Zealand.
The O-level was predominantly exam-based. This was advantageous for students in part-time or evening education; however, some commentators were critical of the exam-based approach offering a limited proof of the student's overall academic ability in comparison with other methods (e.g. coursework-based assessment)
[edit] Grading
Originally O-level passes were at Grades 1 through 6, with grades 7 through 9 being a fail. Most examination boards later introduced a standard system of grading with A, B and C as passing grades and D, E and U (Unclassified) as failing grades. Exams graded U were not listed in the certificate. The University of London Board originally had a disparate system of grading, awarding A, C and E for passes and F, H and U for fails. In the 1970s the University of London joined the standard system of grading.
[edit] History
In 1988, O-level qualifications in the UK were replaced by a new system, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). This meant that the final O-level examinations were taken in 1987, while the curriculum for the new system was introduced in 1986. However the O-level is still used in many former British colonies, such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Ghana, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Hong Kong. Some British schools also reverted to exams based on the O-levels.[1]
O-levels continue to thrive as well respected international qualifications for students in other countries, who use them for preparation for advanced study in their own country and/or access higher education overseas. In June 2005, 12 million candidates from more than 200 countries registered for O-level examinations across the world. Institutions that offer O-levels are Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) [1] and Edexcel International [2].
Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of two bodies , the BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council) and ULEAC (University of London Examinations and Assessment Council). In 2003, the Edexcel Foundation (the charity which managed the board) formed a partnership with Pearson PLC to set up a new company called London Qualifications Ltd, which was 75% owned by Pearson and 25% by the Edexcel Foundation. London Qualifications Limited changed its name to Edexcel Limited in November 2004.
In 2005 Edexcel became the only large examination board to be held in private hands, when Pearson PLC took complete control. Edexcel subsequently received investment from their new parent company.
In 2003, it introduced an onscreen marking system, ePen, which Edexcel claims has brought dramatic benefits. ePen has produced rich student performance data, at question level, which Edexcel has made available to schools through its Results Analysis Service (RAS) and forms the basis of a new service to schools and students.
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is the world's largest provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19. As part of Cambridge Assessment (which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008) and is a department of the University of Cambridge, CIE offers examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. Cambridge qualifications include international A-level, O-level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge Pre-U . Examinations are open to students at registered CIE centres.
CIE first developed the Cambridge IGCSE more than 20 years ago for an international student body. Today, CIE offers more than 70 subjects for Cambridge IGCSE, benchmarked to UK GCSE standard. It also offers more than 50 A-levels. For countries that choose to make use of O-level examinations, Cambridge provides a wide variety of subjects: for example, in addition to examinations in what might be regarded as core subjects, examinations are available in a number of first languages, additional mathematics, additional combined science and many other subjects. CIE qualifications are recognised for admission by UK universities (including Cambridge) as well as universities in the US, Canada, India, European Union, Qatar, New Zealand and around the world.
CIE also offers 'N' (Normal) Levels, which are taken before O Level in Singapore.
CIE offers Cambridge Pre-U, an alternative to UK A Level.
