Is igcse science a lot harder than GCSE science

My sons did iGCSEs (mostly) and their older siblings GCSEs, all at fairly academic private schools. It is very hard to generalise. I don't think the iGCSEs seemed particularly easier and the results all the children got are similar. All my children went on to A levels and I think the iGCSEs are felt by the young ones' school to be good preparation for A level but the whole system is in flux this year. The poor A level people this year (my sons) with some A levels old system and some new (never mind the poor GCSE people this year with 1 - 9 rather than E - A*.
It never seems to settle down.

(Non of mine did Pre U or IB)

As happygardening has said, a lot of selective schools are now using the Cambridge Pre-U examinations in some subjects instead of A-levels because of the greater teaching flexibility and the finer distinctions at the top end (like the 1-9 new GCSEs). Before the modular AS levels were dropped, they also offered the advantage of not having to sit a public exam at the end of the first year sixth form.

So effectively there are already alternative A-levels. My older son did one Pre-U and 2 A levels (also an AS at the end of first year sixth) but my younger son's courses next year are all Pre-U.

But this has moved a long way from the OP's question. I hope she found some of the discussion early on in the thread helpful at least.

And they are hard, too. I have the international o and a Levels along with model answers. I use these as revision and to teach my boys a lesson when they get complacent. All of a sudden their 90% marks in gcse science9-1 tests drop down to the 60% marks when faced with current CIE o Level questions.

There are!?? Goodness, it's like another world....

Actually there are International A levels too, which some private schools use.

Basilsik et al, though - can you not see that's part of the issue?? Because people might not differentiate, I am concerned that my son's pipe dream grade 7 in GCSE English?Maths will actually be a better achievement than a grade A in iGCSE or a grade A of someone doing GCSE who took a year out : and yet be measured as the same achievement by unis etc. Not to mention all the recent confusion and backtracking over what a grade 4 means : everyone will know what C means.

Whatever people think, most statisticians believe there will be a swathe of (largely state educated but then most students are) students with lower seeming results this academic year and they will be at a disadvantage. It's a genuine concern - not a moan...

iGCSEs went from the league tables. I kind of wish they'd gone altogether at the same time as the old GCSEs - at least then we would have had a level playing field. It's not like there are two types of A Level I have no idea what preU is Yes, there are IBs but they are different and everyone can plainly see and understand those differences within university admissions.

ps Draylon : sorry, but I have no doubt portico is correct about MFL GCSE as my son does two and it really is rote learning. In every other subject he is predicted B - C (well, a 7 in English and Lit ) and in MFL he is getting A*s. This is conning him into thinking he has a special affinity and aptitude don't tell him I said that and I worry for him at A level..

I'm actually anti endless exams harder or easier Ive never wanted my DS's to get strings of exams grades that does not sell school to me and I am also a great supporter of the "superlative" IB which promotes a much broader education. If I was ruling the planet I would reduce the number of (I)GCSE's children take, I accept they need sit exams in math English some sort of science, ideally an MFL and a humanity but I would promote a broad unexamined curriculum looking at lots of things ranging from art to literature music politics current affairs economics and lots of other things also combined with life skills, work experience voluntary work communication skills cooking more sport extra curricular activities etc etc.I not believe that everything we learn has to be examined, and that examinations can restrict what is taught and remove he sheer joy and pleasure out of something. My mother was a wonderful and talented artist but stopped attending classes when everything became about passing exams/tests/gaining credits I think children and adults should be able to study things just because they are there. My 30 year old O levels have little impact on my life now but I was bought up win a family where music art literature politics architecture were discussed listened too looked at and considered endlessly and at 50+ these things play a big part in my life not working out the diameter of a circle.

As far as I could see, the universities DS ( did iGCSE) applied to did not differentiate between the two. That was good enough for him ( much like Happy and her DS ) . The point about easier getting a C is different, I make a specific point.

ILikeBeans yes your right English IGCSE did have course work worth 10% but no other subject bar the obvious art music DT did.
Draylon why so aggressive? I don't have any friends who teach MFL but I am reporting what MFL teachers (in the state sector) who Ive met have told me, or comments I've seen on here over the years many I've notice many have expressed concern with GCSE MFL. Maybe, incorrectly, I assume they know they're talking about. Our friend who tutors Latin is well regarded he's very experienced again maybe incorrectly I assume he knows what he's talking about. It makes no difference to any of these people which is easier or harder.
Finally the Pre U is considered harder by UCAS the equivilant grades to A level carry more UCAS points, but not once have I said it's "amazing" or "superlative" I'm just stating a fact. I actually remain undecided about the advantages and benefits of sitting harder exams.
Does it matter what exams your DC sits as long as he gets the grades he wants and needs and is able to leave school with the right qualifications to start on the next phase of their lives be it apprentishipbwork or university. No ones asked to see my O levels for thirty years, let alone ask what board or grade within a few years of leaving school I'm sure most of our children will be in the same position.

Like it or not TalkinPeace, that's the way it will be from now. My hear agrees with you. My head doesn't..

The vast majority of students do not do A Levels.
GCSEs need to be a god benchmark for those children who will not get higher exams
sadly I do not think that the new ones will achieve that purpose.

Drayton, I am a pushy helicopter parent who is genuinely keen to find the best and efficient resources for my children. I am helping the kid's school to benchmark their resources with the best. I am also helping a neighbour's kids with his GCSE prep for June. I am pushy, but not that pushy to want to sit next to them at Uni. Besides, I would never get in!

Btw, here is a quick tip for parents seeking text books. Hodder Education is the best. They provide answers online, and full answers at that. OUP and Collins are substandard and will not help your kids. Trial and error has taught me this. Not greatly impressed with CGP revision guides, too. They are like the McDonalds of pedagogy. Everyone wants one, but they regret it afterwards.

... an English teacher who REALLY can't type...

A an English teacher , I like to hear that Get !

I like your optimism , Portico

I do wish Mental Health surveys and my teaching experiences of average ability children who are panicking and clever children who are massively anxious and less able students who have no clue what on earth to do backed that up.

Sorry, feeling rather bleak. Will snap out it at some point!

IGCSEs are achievable. There is an abundance of brilliant text book, assessment books and exam papers.

TBH, kids in the UK are more resilient and switched on than people of my generation and they can overcome and achieve anything that's put in front of them.

beans TBF even with the CAs DD's GCSE English wasn't bad.

It had the desired result in any event: good grade, entrance to selective sixth form to study English ( where she's done well in the subject).

That's all very marvellous : not all that helpful to OP who doesn't own such high fliers but would like to know whether an IGCSE will be achievable for her own rather less academically gifted , sorry OP child.

He's consistently achieving 100% in topical AQA tests in Chemistry and Physics. Biology between 88-90%. School has agreed the enrichment programme I have at home. Well, they would anyway. IGCSE may have different writing, but command words are the same. I just want him to get under the subject as I have one eye on A Levels.

Similarly, with my Y7, I follow the more rigorousSingaporean lower secondary syllabus. He is struggling with the easier curriculum at school, but the SG provides more context and has significantly improved his confidence and test scores.

Soory Get - I keep forgetting that you told me your experience of iGCSE was no coursework which must have seemed quite liberating. But it was only one exam and that is my idea of a good outcome. The new GCSE is very exam exam exam exam !

Reread the thread - assuming you mean science, so your DS must be Year 10.

What subject are you talking about Portico ??

Portico - I hope you won't confuse him though, as students knowing exam structures and question types is actually really really really important...