Which is easiest - GCSEs or IGCSEs?

[Marmitelover55]

Please could someone clarify this for me? One of our local independent schools' website claims they are harder, but I have also read that state schools are adopting them because they are easier? Which is true? Thanks.

Purple I said the vast majority of GCSEs were modular. And they were!

I'm not commenting on state versus private (though I could say you seem to have a massive downer on private schools), I'm commenting on how the exams were viewed by the top schools and universities.

Also of course there are different boards offering different iGCSEs, so that makes a (small) difference too!

"I'm commenting on how the exams were viewed by the top schools and universities."

Obviously schools will claim that the qualifications they offer are better than the qualifications they don't offer. It is unlikely that any university has ever used the distinction between GCSE and iGCSE in an admission decision, and if a candidate is so borderline that it could make a difference they're hardly a compelling candidate to start with.

I am not down on private schools - I just think children should be given equal opportunities and that despite the bad press most state schools work bloody hard to try and achieve this.

So how would universities view a candidate with SEN switching from one to another?

Universities look at the grade not the exam board.

It is difficult to judge whether IGCSE 's are more difficult because a significant number of the pupils taking them attend selective schools. Such pupils would achieve high grades irrespective of whether the exam was IGCSE or GCSE.

"So how would universities view a candidate with SEN switching from one to another?"

Why would they care? Why would they even know?

Friday I an absolutely assure you that the most selective universities know full well which schools in both sectors have been using linear exams rather than modular.

Though linear doesn't necessarily mean iGCSE of course.

Many of the state super selectives have had their candidates sit linear GCSEs...

I only know about IGCSE English. It has coursework, rather than controlled assessment. The students due better in this because they can re draft. In addition, speaking and listening still counts, so many find this an advantage. (It has to be recorded, so can be moderated)
Having looked at the course, I can see that it is less imaginative and more specific, for instance in the writing style expected. I haven't taught it, but would assume it is easier to train students to answer in this way. My guess is, it's not easier but different, and suits some teachers and learners better.

our place shifted failing kids from GCSE to igcse in march this year

funnily enough they then all passed

Theres your answer