What parents think about - IGCSE vs IB |
Posted: September 23, 2020 |
A major topic of consideration for parents around the globe is which board should they choose for the schooling of their children. The top options for this are the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate or the IB boards. A simple way to solve this dilemma is for the parents to know what each of these education systems have to offer. Choosing the right board between the General Certificate and the International Baccalaureate may be a slightly overwhelming process, and it would also depend on the academic prowess of the child. But, here are some tips for parents to consider while weighing between the two boards:
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education offers examinations and qualifications in over 150 countries. The International Baccalaureate offers a few different educational programs for children from Kindergarten through high school.
The IGCSE and IB have vastly different year plans for their students. IGCSE, also known as the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)has an eleven-year plan which is as follows:
The International Baccalaureate program has a sixteen-year plan which is as follows:
After this, students can choose between either of the following two options
The fees for both boards, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate are extremely substantial. Both boards have a very vast syllabus and that added to their international status makes the school fees not very pocket friendly.
IGCSE is undertaken by the Cambridge International Examinations. It offers qualifications and externally graded certifications. The curriculum is a straight-forward path to tertiary education. The curriculum provides recommended as well as prescribed readings which means teachers do not have to create a curriculum for students. The board emphasises on skills, application of knowledge and subject grasp rather than memorising concepts. IB is provided by a non-profit organisation and is an educational framework which can be moulded according to the administrator, the teacher and the school. Teachers design the curriculum for the best outcome of students, while students choose the subjects from 6 different groups. Students do not have fixed textbooks but provide recommended readings, while in the end, they develop languages skills, analytical skills and logical reasoning. Both boards focus on skill development, application of learned knowledge and understanding of concepts rather than rote learning and recall during exams. Students are graded based on year long assessments which test problem solving and oral skills.
Students who qualify for the International General Certificate for Secondary Education can directly be eligible for the A-Level qualifications for universities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Students who opt for the International Baccalaureate examinations, have to appear for the regular SAT exams just like students of any other board if they wish to study abroad.
The IGCSE has external accountability. Certificates graded externally are awarded to students. They have a higher trust value than the internally assessed certificates. The International Baccalaureate is more student-centered. It is also very flexible in the sense that this board allows the school to use a framework that moves extremely seamlessly. Both boards do not compete with each other for curriculum. IGCSE students give Grade 10 level exam while IB students give Grade 12 level exam. IGCSE students can opt for IB curriculum for Grades 11 and 12. Parents confused about whether to opt for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the International Baccalaureate have to keep these following points in mind for the academic future of their children. ALSO READ: Guide for measuring child's performance at school with report card
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