IGCSE - Information

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (the IGCSE) is a two-year curriculum programme leading to a certificate that is internationally recognised. The courses have been developed in line with the British National Curriculum but with an awareness of students' needs in the International community. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) in Cambridge, England administers the IGCSE.

At the ABC we offer the following subjects:

Compulsory Subjects:

English Language - First Language

English Literature

Spanish Language - First or Foreign Language

Spanish Literature - except Foreign Language students

Mathematics

Separate Sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Grade 9. This could continue as 3 separate sciences or students may drop one science subject in Grade 10.

One Humanities subject - History, Geography, Economics or Business Studies

Optional Subjects: students must choose one from the list below

Art and Design

Computer Studies

Drama

French

Music

Another Humanities Subject

This means that we expect all students to take nine or ten IGCSE subjects unless there is an exception made for expatriate students who do not speak Spanish fluently..

It is really important for the children to take care when making choices. They should choose subjects they enjoy. If they are not sure what to choose, they should spend time talking to teachers and also to students in the current Years 9 and 10. More details are available on the Students Documents Page of the A.B.C. WebSite.

IGCSE Choices

It is important for students and parents to understand that IGCSE subject choices will affect their IB programme for the IB Diploma.

Humanities

The subject chosen here will generally be the one that we will expect the student to choose for the IB programme. There are exceptions - students who show excellent skills in Humanities and who attain high IGCSE grades (B and above), may be allowed to switch subjects for IB. Otherwise it is clearly in the student's interest to stay with the subject in which they already have some solid background.

Science

As stated above, students may drop one science at the beginning of grade 10

Assessment

Each of the subjects offered will be externally examined at the end of Year 10. Some subjects involve coursework or projects as part of the assessment while others are 100% examination. IGCSE subjects can be examined at two levels: Core and Extended. The Extended level can be awarded grades A to E, whereas at Core level the grades range from C to G. Wherever possible we aim to enter all students for the Extended level examinations.

Grades are awarded as shown below. We have included an approximate relationship between IGCSE grades, % and ABC grades. These are the same as the marking system we have used throughout years 6, 7 and 8.

Where appropriate, coursework assignments are set throughout the two-year programme and contribute to the ABC Cal. system in addition to contributing to the IGCSE final grade. Subject teachers will provide fuller assessment details next year.

It is very important to be aware that all students need to attain certain IGCSE grades in order to be able to enter Year 11 and the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Diploma programme. At the ABC we require all students entering Grade 11 to undertake the full IB Bilingual Diploma. Students must pass Grade 10 and obtain at least two B and three C grades in their IGCSE examinations. Students who do not obtain this, but achieve at least five C grades will be considered for entry if a viable programme can be found for them. Students who do not receive at least five C grades will not be admitted into Grade 11. In exceptional circumstances, the Headmaster may reconsider the student for admission on special probation. Since it is recognised that the five C minimum passes is not sufficient for success in the IB programme, such admission will be will be rare.

As a further guide, students getting a CUM below 7.5 during grades 9 and 10 are always in serious danger of not meeting our entry requirement for grade 11 whether or not they pass the ABC grades at the end of grade 10. For this reason we urge students and parents to take great care to ensure that each subject grade is above 7.5 (a grade C).

We have an Options Meeting in March of grade 8 and a "Back to School" meeting in September of grade 9 when we will explain more fully about the I.G.C.S.E. and you will have the opportunity to become more acquainted with the programme and what is involved for the students.

Clcik here to visit the IGCSE website.