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Original poster

What's the difference between iGCSE and "traditional" English GCSE - and why would the top sets be doing the not iGCSE option?

33 replies

Caff2 · 17/07/2014 16:58

Anyone know? Confused. (my son's not top set, btw!)

Thank you.

OP posts:
Asterisk · 17/07/2014 18:55

There was a discussion on here some time ago about the iGCSE in English not being as highly regarded as the iGCSEs in some other subjects, because it's an international qualification and geared for students for whom English is not necessarily their first language. Science iGCSEs seem to be regarded as tougher but better preparation for those taking science at A-level. The merits and downsides of GCSEs and iGCSEs need to be compared on a subject-by-subject basis, and even then the exam boards have different reputations.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 17:35

I think that makes sense Maria33 - it is a results driven school, but I do want my son to get the best result he can of course! Just wondered if the other GCSE was more highly regarded, as why would the top sets need As or As in that if A/A is "as good" from the iGCSE?

OP posts:
Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:27

There is the choice to do no coursework, but I doubt that is what your school are doing.

Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:24

Bonkers not bikers :)

Maria33 · 17/07/2014 17:24

IGCSE in English language has a much larger component of coursework (60 %) including 20% speaking and listening. The coursework can all be done at home making it easier to access higher marks. The lit IGCSE is harder though IMO.

My guess is that they think the lower sets can access bs and Cs more easily in language with the IGCSE, while top-sets can access As and A*s more easily with the GCSE.

Sounds a bit bikers to me though, and poor pedagogy. Too much focus on results rather than just choosing a course that you think works and teaching it well across the board.

HSMMaCM · 17/07/2014 17:23

Why would the top sets not do the traditional gcse? One has a coursework element and the other doesn't. Neither is better than the other.

Original poster
Caff2 · 17/07/2014 17:11

Thanks - I'm not anti the iGCSE necessarily, but don't understand the difference and why the top sets would be doing the "traditional" GCSE if there is no quantifiable difference.

OP posts:
OryxCrake · 17/07/2014 17:06

My home-educated DC did IGCSE because there wasn't a coursework requirement, which in our experience (with maths) was tricky to organise as it needed to be authenticated.

Looking at the practice papers, the IGCSE reminded me of when I did O Levels more than my other DC's GCSE papers.

In my very limited experience, there seemed to be more of a qualitative difference than a difference in level but that was a few years ago so things might have changed.

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