What is Cambridge IGCSE

Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses have been developed to support modern curriculum development, and to encourage good teaching practice. They set internationally recognised standards (equivalent to British GCSE and to GCE O levels). Cambridge IGCSEs can be taken as individual subjects or as qualifications towards the International Certificate of Education (ICE), which is awarded for a minimum of seven IGCSE passes from different subject areas. In India, these are equivalent to 10th board exams.

What is Cambridge ICE?

The Cambridge ICE (Cambridge International Certificate in Education) is a group award designed for schools that want to offer a broad curriculum. Students enter and sit for a minimum of seven subjects selected from the five IGCSE curriculum areas:

  • Group 1 - Languages
  • Group 2 - Humanities
  • Group 3 - Sciences
  • Group 4 - Mathematics
  • Group 5 - Creative and Vocational

Cambridge ICE is awarded to students who pass in at least seven Cambridge IGCSE subjects, including two from Group 1 and one from each of Groups 2 to 5. The seventh subject may be chosen from any of the syllabus groups.

Students who qualify for the Cambridge ICE award will be placed in one of three categories:

  • Distinction - Grade A or better in five subjects and grade C or better in two subjects.
  • Merit - Grade C or better in five subjects and grade F or better in two subjects.
  • Pass - Grade G or better in seven subjects.

Read about Cambridge Assessment (CAIE)

Courses offered in Cambridge IGCSE

IGCSE vs. ICE

Both IGCSE and ICE are based on 70 courses including 30 languages offered by Cambridge IGCSE (extended) program. However, these two certificates differ in their course structure and how are they awarded.

  1. Course structure: Cambridge IGCSEs can be taken as individual subjects. Cambridge ICE is awarded to students who pass in at least seven Cambridge IGCSE subjects, including two from Group 1 and one from each of Groups 2 to 5. The seventh subject may be chosen from any of the syllabus groups.
  2. Award: IGCSE (extended) awards grade from A* to E and IGCSE core awards grade from C to G for individual course. Whereas, ICE award places in categories - Distinction, Merit and Pass collectively for the all the courses taken.
  3. School's preference: Since, ICE is more structured and also students can demonstrate competence across a wide range of subjects and skills, most of the school offer Cambridge ICE certification.

More details about Cambridge ICE

Students can qualify for Cambridge ICE over two series provided they take place within a period of 13 months. This would mean from June to the following November or June; or from November to the following June or November. Students can retake the exams in second sitting, but it is the result achieved at the first sitting that will be counted towards Cambridge ICE certificate. The result achieved at the second sitting will be reported on a separate subject certificate.

If a student takes more than 7 courses, as long as the entry requirements for Cambridge ICE (passes in seven subjects, covering the five IGCSE subject groups and including two different languages) is fulfilled, the seven best results, irrespective of subject or group, will be used to calculate the Cambridge ICE grade.

For more details, visit CAIE site