Every school provides plenty of educational options. All the schools offer various programs, two commons are the O-level (Ordinary level) and IGCSE (International General Certification Of Secondary Education) exams. There are major differences between the IGCSE and O-Level that we will discuss in the next segment.
In general, It could be said that there are more similarities between these two programs rather than differences. That is why it creates more confusion about which is better for the students to study. Moreover, you can hire O-level home tutors who can help you in your course and provide you with detailed information regarding the subjects. This way, you can get good scores on your final examinations.
Comparison Between O-level And IGCSE Examinations
We have mentioned some differences between O-level and IGCSE exams that you should know about. The O-level course duration is three years. It is organized by Cambridge Assessment International Education(CAIE) and the Ministry of Education. The other is the IGCSE course and its duration is two years. It is the most popular exam that is held by schools and universities for students aged between 14 to 15 years. It allows the learners to prepare for secondary education. Below are other vital differences between O-Level and IGCSE exams.
Number Of Subjects in IGCSE And O-level Course
The IGCSE offers various courses as compared to the O-level course. For instance, O-level has Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and many other subjects. It enables students to choose from 35 different subjects, most of which are similar to IGCSE. Apart from core subjects, the learners can select fashion and textiles, History, Physics, Literature in English, etc.
Moreover, IGCSE covers more than 70 subjects out of which students can pick a minimum of 5 or a maximum of 14 subjects. These include English, Science, and other core subjects for every learner. It has specialized courses such as accounting and information technology.
Difference In Grading System
There is a minor difference in grading between these two exams. Ordinary-level has a point system that is used to calculate the student’s grades on their exams. The learners can get A1, A2,B3, B4, C5, C6, D7, E8 or F9. In which A1 is the highest score and F9 is the lowest.
On the other side, IGCSE has the A* (highest grade) to G (lowest grade) grading system that students can achieve. There is a core approach (C-G) and an extended(A*-C) curriculum available in a few subjects.
Course Assessments
There is a small difference in assessments for these two programs. The assessments are given to the learner at the end of the course. IGCSE uses various assessment methods to gain knowledge and understand practical and theoretical skills. It includes written, oral, and practical exams. However, there is another option for coursework assessment. It is beneficial for the learners and allows them to acquire knowledge and skills for getting higher grades. In this coursework assessment, the teachers can be involved in the process.
On the other hand, O-level involves writing and reading skills. It has lesser coursework options as compared to IGCSE. The grades of the assessment are A to E where A is the highest and E is the lowest but satisfactory grade. The Other is a U grade that is considered ungraded.
Moreover, Cambridge International Assessment Center offers study materials, and professional development to the teachers to maintain the standard of education in O-level and IGCSE courses.
Level Of Exams
There is a small difference in the levels of exams at the O-level and IGCSE. The O-level offers the same exam according to students’ academic capabilities and the IGCSE provides two options for the candidates. These are core and extended papers. The learners have options to select one according to their preferences.
The core curriculum is held for those candidates who want to achieve scores between C to G grades. It provides a full summary of the subject. On the other hand, the extended curriculum is made for academically able learners. The grades in the extended curriculum range from A* to E.
Moreover, if learners find any difficulties while studying then hiring experienced and professional IGCSE tutors would be an ideal option. Because sometimes the learners do not pay attention to the exams. In this case, they can give proper guidance, provide study materials and tell how to complete the assessments or how to solve objective-type questions, etc. This way, the students get additional support and clarify their doubts. As a result, it helps them to achieve better results on the final examinations.
Local VS international Authorities
The O-level course is controlled by local offices and authorities. The ordinary-level exam was held in Singapore for the first time. It allows the students to complete their courses in the desired fields and complete their further studies.
Nowadays, the Singapore Examination and Assessment boards, Cambridge Assessment International Education, and the Ministry Of Education conduct the O-level exams.
On the other hand, IGCSE holds international outlooks and governance of schools from all over the world. It involves the development of the course and the examinations. This helps to avoid cultural bias globally.
Retake Examinations
If students are not satisfied with their exam results, they can retake the IGCSE and Ordinary-level exams. It is beneficial for them to enhance their scores. Furthermore, the exam is held two times a year. Also, the process is similar to retaking the O-level exams. This way, the learners can qualify for their exams and achieve better results.
Conclusion
IGCSE and O-level examinations are identical qualifications and also provide the same opportunities to continue further education. Considering the above points, course assessments, grading systems, subject numbers, etc., can help you to understand the detailed information of the courses. Moreover, you can hire and adopt O-level home tutors strategy that is very beneficial to you in your course and provide you with detailed information regarding the subjects.
Moreover, these two courses include several subject options. The students can choose one according to their preferences. Apart from this, hiring a reputable tutor helps the learners provide proper guidance and help them to learn new things. Also, they can clear their doubts related to any subject to the tutor. This way, the students can enhance their academic performance and obtain high scores on the upcoming examinations.