9 Things You Need To Know About IGCSE

Here's an article I read, I decided to share it here in the hopes that it might be of help; 😊

"Top 9 Things You Must Know About IGCSE

Here are the Top 9 things that you should know about IGCSE in Malaysia.

#1.  Offered by Cambridge Examination Board
Cambridge Examination Board is well-known for offering examinations and qualifications worldwide. 
IGCSE was developed by Cambridge Examination Board in 1985. IGCSE is also equivalent of the British O-Levels. 
All the exam papers are set and marked by the Cambridge Examination Board in the UK as well. 

#2. A 5-year program in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the IGCSE is a 5-year program starting with Year 7 (equivalent of Form 1 in the local program) and
 ending with the Year 11 (equivalent of Form 5). 

Stronger students can actually save 1 year and complete high school at the age of 16 or younger. 

#3. British curriculum
The program differentiates from the local program by following the British curriculum. Therefore, the
 medium of instruction of the program is English since it.

#4. Exam base + Assessment
As compared to solely exam-based focus from the local program, the IGCSE also focus on development and
 abilities of the students. Therefore, In addition to examination-based qualifications offered by the IGCSE,
 the program also uses a wide range of assessment processes and techniques. These assessment include orals,
 practical, projects and coursework. The assessments will effectively encourages student participation in lessons.
 Thus, the program will help to develop students’ creative thinking and problem solving skills.

#5. Provide solid foundation for students at the College and/or University
During the 5-year program, it helps the student to adapt better in the English-medium courses in college and/or
 university as English is the medium of instruction of the IGCSE program.  

The curriculum in the IGCSE develops competitive students in the later studies as well as at the work place.
 Through the project work in the curriculum, it helps the students to adapt better to the the curriculum in
 the college and/or university. The exposure of project work in the IGCSE builds up the research skill of the
 students, which makes the student more capable of working on their own when they are required to work 
on research assignment in the college and/or university. It also helps to sharpen presentation skills of the
 students. This makes the IGCSE students to be more outstanding as compared to others because they are 
able to speak with confidence, clarity and conviction. 

Encouraging student participation trains the students to be exhibit enthusiasm for learning.  This would 
further assist the students to learn new things, as well as grow professionally and personally. 

Students who did IGCSE is more ready for A-Levels and IB. 

#6. International Recognition 
The IGCSE allows admission to the UK, US and also Canadian colleges and universities. This program thus creates
 a pathway for the local students from Malaysia to study abroad. Many of the leading companies worldwide also
 accept and recognise this program. 

#7.  Two Examination Sessions in a Year
Unlike the Malaysian Certificate of Education (or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, aka SPM) which offers examinations
 once a year, the IGCSE offers examinations twice a year, in June and November. The IGCSE is also more
 efficient in terms of issuing results. IGCSE results are issued in August and January each year. Therefore,
 the IGCSE graduates can quickly apply for scholarship or be admitted into college and/or university
 earlier as compared to the SPM graduates. 

#8. Easy to Find Resources
IGCSE is available in many countries and many students worldwide have gone through the program.
 Therefore its very easy to find books in local bookstores and 10 years series past year questions can be
 found in local print shop which can deliver to your house.

#9. Easier than SPM
We have been coaching many students from international schools who did IGCSE and students in local
 public schools who have to go through SPM, its very obvious that IGCSE is easier for students to handle
 and more relevant industry.

The 3 sciences which includes Physics Chemistry and Biology syllabus is less in depth but broad base and
 relevant to university and colleges next time. Students find it easier to grasp and less tedious. History,
 Geography and Economics are in English and the syllabus and exams are related to the world history,
 world geographical factors and effects and international economics case studies making the lessons
 more interesting and prepare students for a more global thinking. "

Side Thoughts; 

I cannot express how much I want to leave school. I feel like I have worked way too hard to just let
 my parents' money go to waste. My family isn't exactly involved in a critical financial crisis but I 
definitely wasn't born with a golden spoon in my mouth either, I owuld do anything it takes to be able 
to finish school at 16. I just don't want to feel like I've used up more than RM2000 of my parents'
 money to take an exam then do absolutely NOTHING with the results because I would hate myself for it.
 I am so determined to show them that I haven't taken IGCSE for nothing, I will definitely make them
 proud. And thats a promise.

💋, m