GCSE v iGCSE

Didn't know Apple were now providing educational qualifications. Bet the packaging of the certificate is something special or do you access it in a cloud somewhere?   

I've no idea but this may be a starting point if you wish to investigate. Good luck.

http://www.ool.co.uk/examinati...hats-the-difference/

Thanks Tom. The article says that the iGCSE is perceived by some as being more rigorous, and yet at my son's school only those unlikely to get a C in the standard GCSE were entered for the i version, as the school says they are easier exams and therefore a C is much more likely.

Could it be that private schools offer them to boost their results to enable them to drive up fees? No-one seems to know - but my friend is convinced that her daughter's qualifications are better than my son's. It really doesn't matter, but interesting nonetheless.

I've taught Physics for well over a decade, initially in state schools but mostly in independents. About 8 years ago, I made the decision to take my then Department over from GCSE to IGCSE and we didn't regret it. At the time, GCSEs were going through a particularly far-reaching reform which we didn't think was going to serve the best interests of any of our pupils. Lots of other independent schools made the same shift at the time, and more have done since. For a few years, it was a source of much frustration that IGCSEs were deliberately not approved for teaching in state schools, for rather minor technical reasons rather than anything significant.

There are similarities and differences between GCSEs and IGCSEs, and I could type at length on that topic without hesitation, repetition or deviation, but I suspect it would not be voted the forum's most fascinating post. Perhaps I can limit myself to saying that I still believe that IGCSE Physics is a better preparation for Physics A-level (and, IME, teachers of other subjects tend to say likewise), but it's a matter of degree. Thousands of pupils every year go on from GCSEs to do very well at A-level, just as a fair few go on from IGCSEs to struggle.

You're quite right that boosting pupils' results is always high in teachers' minds, both in state and independent schools: what sort of professionals would we be if it weren't? However, it's nothing to do with driving up fees - the bursars and heads I know are desperately trying to stop fees going up further - after all, who wants to price themselves out of their market? - but often feel like they're whistling (or worse) into the wind. But that's a different topic...

Mark

With regards Science, iGCSE no coursework, very traditional syllabus, exam is more about recall of facts.  GCSE coursework, how science works, applying information.  GCSE should lead onto A levels better as the exam boards design their A level syllabus to follow on from GCSE syllabus.  There is a great deal in the iGCSE which is not used/extended at A level.  Which is harder? pays your money takes your chance.  However, iGCSE was for overseas students.  Many independents realised this and started to enter their students to boost A*/A grades.  I've taught both and mark both for exam boards.  I believe that the current OCR GCSE 21st Century Science syllabus is the best out there.  The exam papers are much more difficult with 3 extended questions per paper which examine recall and understanding.  The coursework is also excellent.

We made the decision to go with iGCSE English, Lit, History and Physics a few years ago as the GCSE syllabuses had been so dumbed down, that the smartest students were not being stretched. We have not looked back once. The exams are rigorous, a great preparation for GCE A level and allow the ablest to perform at a level commensurate with their talents. All in all a better test of knowledge application in a logical package with a wider skills base. GCSE has largely lost its way and is too prone to political intervention, although not all subjects share the same malaise. Our changes were categorically not made to boost grades, although our pupils do do very well.