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14-03-2023

Difference Between Cambridge O-Level and Cambridge IGCSE

Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and Cambridge O Level are qualifications offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and are considered equivalent to the British GCSE and 10th board in India. Recognized by prestigious global universities, these qualifications serve as stepping stones for students in their academic journey. For 14-16-year-olds in Bangalore, there are several Cambridge IGCSE schools in Bangalore providing these options. While both qualifications serve a similar purpose, it is essential to be aware of their key differences before making a choice.

Different Grading System

IGCSE and O-level have based their grading system on internationally recognized alphabetical characters. However, the two curriculums have a minor difference in the range of characters used in their grading process. IGCSE awards grades from A* (highest) to G (lowest), with the core curriculum grade ranging from C to G and for the extended curriculum going from A* to C. On the other hand, Cambridge O Level students are only awarded grades from A to E, with A being the highest achievable grade.

One-Tiered VS Two-Tiered System

One of the most noteworthy differences between the two curricula is that while O-level exam candidates are offered the same paper regardless of their capability level, IGCSE gives its students the option to choose between the Core and Extended paper. The core curriculum paper matches the academic capabilities of the vast majority of students and the extended curriculum paper is designed for academically gifted learners who thrive in challenges.

Choice In Subjects

Both O-level and IGCSE curriculum improve the learner's ability to gain knowledge on subject matter and apply it in real life. The difference lies in the choice of subjects offered. On one hand, IGCSE offers 70 subjects including 30 languages for the schools to choose from and design their curriculum. In the case of O-level, the subject range is limited to only 40 from which the educational institutions can frame their curriculum.

Opposite Outlook

The curriculum of IGCSE was set by leading schools from around the world with the intention of eliminating local bias in an education that is recognized internationally. Therefore the syllabuses in various IGCSE schools have a more international outlook. This isn’t the case with O-level because its syllabus is designed while keeping in mind the specific local needs such as minority languages and cultural barriers. Thus, the overall outlook of the O-level curriculum is local instead of more international.

Contrast In Assessments

IGCSE and O-level use a combination of oral, written as well as practical exams for a student's assessment at the end of the course. However, the practical portion of the assessment is restricted in the case of O-level since schools in many areas face a limitation of resources. Another difference in their assessments is the addition of coursework assessment in the case of IGCSE. This method is beneficial to students whose first language is not English since they get to demonstrate their growth throughout the duration of the course instead of just at the end. The difference in the way of assessments is due to the fact that O-level focuses more on reading and writing skills of the students whereas, IGCSE tests the candidate’s initiative, problem-solving and practical skills in addition to knowledge and understanding.

Choosing between Cambridge O-level and Cambridge IGCSE requires an understanding of the learner's goals, academic abilities in various subjects and the learning support available. While the two curricula have a lot in common, it is still evident that with its global perspective and lack of local bias, IGCSE better prepares its students for international education and subsequent career in their chosen field of study.

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