Is the Igcse harder than the GCSE?

Author

William Cox

Published Mar 15, 2026

Is the Igcse harder than the GCSE?

The GCSE is considered more rigorous because the rules are more stringent, such as the fact that students can only sit for the GCSE exams in June and resits can be taken in November each year. Therefore, the IGCSE is considered “easier” due to its flexible nature.

Similarly, is Igcse harder than O levels?

If you are asking: “Was it harder to get an A on O-Levels compared to GCSEs?” the answer is: Yes, it was harder to get a high grade on O-Levels rather than GCSEs. This is because grades for O-Levels were norm-referenced meaning only a set number of students could ever achieve the highest grade.

Beside above, do universities prefer Igcse or GCSE? There's a lot of debate around whether universities prefer the IGCSE, with some people saying it's more “rigorous” than the old GCSE. Others say that the new GCSE is more rigorous still. In short, there is no agreement on whether either qualification will be better for your uni application.

In this regard, is Igcse easier than GCSE?

Study suggests iGCSEs are 'easier' than reformed GCSEs. Research published by Education DataLab, based on information from the National Pupil Database, shows that iGCSEs are “not graded quite as severely” as reformed GCSEs, making it easier for pupils to reach top grades.

Are GCSE and Igcse the same?

GCSE and iGCSE are certainly very similar. Both qualifications are at the same level: they are designed to test the completion of the UK National Curriculum's "Key Stage 4". They are usually sat at the end of UK Year 11, in the year a student becomes 16.

What is the easiest GCSE to pass?

The Easiest GCSE Subjects to Pass

Modern foreign languages. With a pass rate of almost 90%, it's clear that these are amongst the easiest to pass!
Sciences. Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics (alongside any Combined versions) are also some of the easiest subjects to pass at GCSE.
English literature.
Music.
Religious studies.

Is a grade D at O level a pass?

GCE O-level (Ordinary level) subjects

The required Pass mark was generally 45/100. Results which met the Ordinary standard (grades 1-6) were recorded as Pass. From 1975 to 1987 attainment in an O-level subject was indicated by a grade A, B, C, D or E, of which grade A was the highest and grade E the lowest.

Are GCSE harder now?

'New GCSEs are very hard'

The new GCSEs do have more challenging content – set by the Department for Education – than previously, but they are designed to be as accessible to the same range of student abilities as before.

What is the passing grade for Igcse?

Cambridge IGCSEs are equivalent, grade for grade, with UK GCSE qualifications. Passing grades for Cambridge IGCSE are A*–G, with A* being the highest. U is Ungraded. There is a group award called Cambridge ICE which is comprised of Cambridge IGCSEs from five different curriculum areas.

Is Igcse equivalent to O level?

It is based on the GCE O-Level and is recognised as being equivalent to the GCSE. The IGCSE was developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations. It is a qualification based on individual subjects of study, which means that one receives an "IGCSE" qualification for each subject one takes.

What is a * in Igcse?

Cambridge IGCSE is graded A*–G, Cambridge O Level is graded A*–E. Both grade sets are well established, widely-used systems that universities, parents and schools know and trust. In August 2017, some GCSE results in England will be reported on a different, 9–1 grading scale. On this scale, 9 is the top grade.

What are O levels in the UK?

Background The O and A Level examination certificates are the secondary and pre-university credentials in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The O Levels, or Ordinary Levels, typically represent a total of 11 years of study and mark the end of the secondary education cycle.

Why is Igcse bad?

Secondly, IGCSE students can't score 90% or above as easily as students of other boards due to the differences in evaluation of the papers. This in turn causes problems during the time of admissions and there are chances you might not get into the college you wish to get into because of the high cutoffs.

Do universities accept Igcse?

IGCSEs do not include coursework. IGCSEs are widely accepted by universities and colleges as part of their entry requirements. IGCSEs are offered by Cambridge, Edexcel and AQA exam boards and you can find more information about them on the web pages linked here.

Can you take GCSE privately?

The first thing to note is that taking GCSE's as a private candidate is not free. Every exam centre will set their own fee, and these can vary considerably, however typically each exam will usually cost upwards of £100 to sit.

Can I do GCSE online?

Study an online GCSE Course through the Online Learning College and benefit from access to our extensive lessons and course materials in your learning. Once you sit your GCSE exams, you will be awarded with an Edexcel GCSE qualification. Enrol on more than one course and you will automatically get 20% off.

Do state schools do Igcse?

State schools are no longer offering the IGCSE, but private schools still can.

Which is the hardest exam board GCSE?

AQA are harder for the inattentive students

Whereas AQA has four topics split across two exams with each topic being worth 25% of the overall grade. This is a key difference as OCR has a greater volume of content that you need to learn, however AQA requires that you learn fewer topics but in more detail.

Is Igcse easy?

Students who take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) may be having an easier time obtaining better grades than students who take the reformed GCSE. Research by FFT Education Datalab suggests that IGCSEs are “not graded quite as severely as reformed GCSEs”.

Are GCSEs difficult?

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, told the BBC the new GCSEs are the most difficult since the 1980s O Levels. “They contain questions of a level of difficulty that we have not seen since the abolition of O-levels in 1987,” he said.

How do I study for maths Igcse?

How to plan your revision for GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics

Choose a suitable study area. Try to find somewhere quiet to work where you can concentrate without interruption.
Have everything you will need to hand.
Plan your time sensibly.
Use reward psychology.
Don't forget to eat!
Do the revison!

Does Harvard accept Igcse?

IGCSE is not a US standard. Most schools require the ACT/SAT (some require subject tests as well). Originally Answered: IGCSE Requirments for Stanford, MIT, Harvard or Princeton? I would advise you to look at the admissions webpages of these universities to see what the general requirements are for admission.

Does Harvard prefer IB or AP?

Instead, high scores on HL IB exams place you into higher-level courses or, at Harvard, the Advanced Standing Program. The takeaway: state schools and private colleges alike provide some acknowledgement for high-scoring IB students, whether it's through credit or acceleration.

What is the hardest GCSE subject?

So in no particular order, here are the subjects that we believe are the toughest GCSEs to do well in!

Music.
English Literature.
Maths.
Sciences.
Engineering.
Drama.
Geography.
Computing/Computer Science.

Is Igcse accepted in USA?

Yes. they do accept the IGCSE grades as a certification of secondary education completion. If you only have the IGCSE grades and do not have an opportunity to do the High School Education level examinations then you can use the IGCSE grades to apply to Community Colleges in the US or in your country.

Is IB American or British?

The International Baccalaureate (IB), formerly known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), is an international educational foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968.

DO YOU NEED A levels to go to university in America?

Entry requirements for American Universities

Entry requirements will vary across the US but as a minimum you will likely need 5 GCSEs A* - C to include English and Maths. For more competitive universities, you will need to be studying at least 3 A-Levels or their equivalent.

What are the benefits of Igcse?

What are the benefits of IGCSE? Most of the International Universities prefer students who have at least one IGCSE Certification. The assessment techniques check the problem-solving skills, time-management skills, practical and oral skills, initiative and application of skills, knowledge, and understanding.

Which curriculum is the best in the world?

Popular curriculum choices

The English national curriculum is the most popular curriculum choice in the world, followed by a US-oriented curriculum and the IB.

Is Igcse enough for university?

Yes, they do. A levels matter the most, but you must have Maths and English to GCSE Grade C or better (or B if the English IGCSE is Second Language) for all universities in the UK, for all courses.

Is Igcse Recognised in UK?

Cambridge IGCSE is accepted as equivalent to Cambridge O Level and the UK GCSE in admitting candidates to institutes of further and higher education. Cambridge IGCSE is widely recognised by higher education institutions and employers around the world as evidence of academic achievement.

Is Igcse accepted in UK universities?

University Recognition

In the UK, Cambridge IGCSE is accepted as equivalent to GCSE. Many UK universities look at Cambridge IGCSE grades, as well as predicted grades for Cambridge International A Level, when making admissions decisions.

What should I do after Igcse?

Study options after IGCSE/SPM

Option 1: Pre-university route for a bachelor degree.
Option 2: Diploma route.
Option 3: Certificate route.
Option 4: American Degree Transfer Program.
Option 5: Semi-professional qualifications.

What is Igcse English equivalent to?

What is the IGCSE? IGCSE stands for “International General Certificate for Secondary Education”. It's equivalent to the GCSE, meaning it prepares you for A-levels, Scottish highers, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and BTEC level 3. It's (normally) taken between Years 10 and 11.

Where is Igcse Recognised?

IGCSE is offered by many international schools in Malaysia. The qualification is globally recognised and opens many doors for students who want to study locally or abroad.

Are Igcse important?

Cambridge IGCSE® subjects are recognised by leading universities, further education institutions and employers around the world as evidence of academic achievement and as an 'international passport' to progression and success. Cambridge ICE is a group award for Cambridge IGCSE.

What level is Igcse?

What is the IGCSE? IGCSE stands for “International General Certificate for Secondary Education”. It's equivalent to the GCSE, meaning it prepares you for A-levels, Scottish highers, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and BTEC level 3. It's (normally) taken between Years 10 and 11.

How many subjects do you need for Igcse?

IGCSE offers more than 70 subjects. Students are required to take a minimum of 5 or maximum of 14 subjects. The core subjects are English, Mathematics and Sciences.

What GCSEs do universities prefer?

English and maths (sometimes science) are the GCSEs that universities are most likely to be interested in – and you don't get the option of dropping these. So whatever GCSEs you choose, you'll still have a broad range of unis to make up your mind over (if you get the grades, that is).

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Is the Igcse harder than the GCSE?