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IGCSEs easier to get top grades in than 9-1 GCSEs

30 replies

noblegiraffe · 04/01/2019 15:00

Education Datalab has looked at the results for IGCSEs and 9-1 GCSEs and concluded that “At the top end of the distribution, perhaps IGCSEs are indeed not graded quite as severely as reformed GCSEs… there looks to be something in it.”

www.tes.com/news/igcses-not-graded-severely-new-gcses

So we should expect to see private schools ditch IGCSE now.

OP posts:
Witchend · 04/01/2019 16:13

I think private schools will be more likely to use iGCSEs.
What looks better:
9 x A* and 2 x A or 9x 8s and 2 x 7s?

alansleftfoot · 04/01/2019 15:59

Having taught both the IGCSE's are easier than the new linear 1-9 GCSE's.

GreenThing · 04/01/2019 15:56

I GCSEs aren't restricted to private schools, they are used internationally. Part of the appeal is that they consistent and highly regarded.

They are a great preparation for A levels, especially in sciences and maths (Cambridge at least).

Parents paying for a private education in the UK don't want their children subjected to the whims of the government.

Just as an example, do you consider the Cambridge IGCSE maths syllabus to be lacking?

noblegiraffe · 04/01/2019 15:49

Who is bashing private school students? Confused

It has long been argued that private schools opt for IGCSE because they are more difficult. Now that the opposite appears to be true we should see a change in policy.

OP posts:
williteverend99 · 04/01/2019 15:38

Seems a bit weasel worded to me

But let‘s not let that get in the way of a chance to bash private school students.