IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)

What is IGCSE?
International alternative to national curricula Recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as being at par with CBSE, ICSE, and state boards However, unlike many school-leaving qualifications in many countries, the IGCSE is not a group award or "certificate of education". It is a qualification based on individual subjects of study, which means that one receives an "IGCSE" qualification for each subject one takes.

Who offers IGCSE?

Developed by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) of the University of Cambridge IGCSE assessment is conducted by 2 UK assessment bodies: Edexcel (UK's largest academic qualifications awarding body) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) IGCSE affiliated schools offer the IGCSE program

What are the different programs under IGCSE?

What is IGCSEs presence worldwide and in India?

Over 10,000 schools worldwide Offered in more than 160 countries Over 310 schools in India as of 2013 Over 44000 exam entries for Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Level Rise of 15 % since 2012

Pros of studying in an IGCSE school

International perspective to studies, worldwide status and credibility Good base for other international Senior Secondary Curricula like IB DP Wider range of subjects Freedom to choose subjects that are right for students and, thereby, the opportunity to score good grades Practical approach to teaching and learning Assessment is not limited to conventional written papers and they consist of a variety of tests e.g. oral and listening tests Advantage of the Cambridge Checkpoint, a diagnostic service comprising of standardized tests, that pin-points a student's strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas

Cons of studying in an IGCSE school

Competitive exams for higher education (eg IIT JEE, AIEEE, etc.) are based on the CBSE curriculum High fees (INR 60,000 4,20,000) Students face difficulty in the admission to universities due to o Non Acceptance in few universities o Late result declaration

International Baccalaureate (IB)

In 1983, IB programs were recognized by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as an entry-level eligibility for all universities in India Over the last decade, there has been a rising trend in number of schools in India affiliated to IBO
o NRIs returning back to India in early 2000s o Gradually, other parents picked up the trend by realizing the advantage of international curriculum o Growing population of expatriate working in India

Program
Primary Years Programme (PYP) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Diploma Programme (DP)

Age Group
3 12 11 16 16 19

Assessment
Internal Internal External

Presently, Indias ranks 5th in number of schools offering IB programs vis--vis other countries after US, UK, Australia and Canada
o YoY growth of more than 15 percent in number of schools offering IB Programs since 2005
Schools offering IB Programs in India

Fees for IB Programs Annual fees of IB affiliated schools range from INR 50,000 400,000 o Positioned considerably higher than CBSE and CISCE o Typically targets upper strata of society and expatriates Reasons for high fees, o High cost of Infrastructure required to meet the standards prescribed by IB o High cost in Teacher training and development o Demand driven premium attached to international programs

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Advantages of IB affiliated school, Superior Curriculum offers academic depth & breadth , develops critical thinking Class size is smaller offers good group discussion and teacher attention Provide opportunity to study overseas Overall student development - Good Infrastructure & exposure to many activities Students cares about more than results and become independent learners

Disadvantages of IB affiliated school, Students lack preparedness for entrance exams which are based on CBSE curriculum Students face difficulty in the admission to universities o Non Acceptance in few universities o Delay in result declaration from IB