What’s the difference between GCSEs and IGCSEs, A-levels and IB?
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Glossary Term Selection
By Glynis Kozma
The summer term at secondary school means one thing to pupils in Years 11 to 13: exams. Until recently pupils were entered for either GCSE or A-level examinations, with A-levels divided into two levels: AS at the end of Year 12 and A2 at the end of Year 13.
But, nothing stays the same in the examination system: you may remember that in 1988 the GCSE exam replaced the former ‘O’ Level and CSE exams, and coursework for GCSEs was introduced for the first time.
Since then there has been much debate about the value and structure of the current exams. The outcome: further changes have been made to the balance of coursework and final exams. If that isn’t enough for parents – and schools – to contend with, there are two other examinations available for pupils: the International GCSE (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
So what are the differences and, if you do have any choice, which might suit your child best?
Before looking at the differences between these qu...
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