The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the worlds most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to a globally recognized qualification and we are very proud to offer it at RiverDale in addition to the ICSE Board curriculum.

RiverDale International School has had an excellent track record of training students under the IGCSE curriculum since 2005. The IGCSE programme was temporarily suspended for a year in order to prepare better for it by way of acquiring the necessary staff and teaching resources and other facilities required for helping students of IGCSE excel at the programme. This process of internal academic consolidation is now complete and the IGCSE curriculum is being revived at RiverDale beginning May, 2012.

Cambridge IGCSE encourages learner-centered and enquiry-based approaches to learning. It develops learners skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem solving, giving learners excellent preparation for the next stage in their education. Clearly defined learning outcomes and content, mean Cambridge IGCSE is compatible with other curricula and is internationally relevant and sensitive to different needs and cultures.

Cambridge IGCSE develops learner knowledge, understanding and skills in:
Subject content
Applying knowledge and understanding to familiar and new situations
Intellectual enquiry
Flexibility and responsiveness to change
Working and communicating in English
Influencing outcomes
Cultural awareness

IGCSE is a two-year programme starting at the Grade 9 level. A student who has done his/her early schooling from any other board can join the IGCSE programme at the Class 9 level.

IGCSE examination is taken as a qualification towards International Certificate Education (ICE). The ICE is awarded to the candidate who takes seven subjects.
The seven subjects must be as follows:
Two subjects from the language group
One from each of the other four groups
One more from any of the five groups

IGCSE curriculum includes the following syllabuses in five subject groups. RiverDale International School is pleased to offer the following syllabuses as follows:

Group 1: Languages
English as a First Language
Hindi/French as a Second Language
Group 2: Humanities and Social Science
Economics, Computer Studies
Group 3: Sciences
Chemistry, Physics, Biology
Group 4: Mathematics
Core Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics
Group 5: Creative, Technical & Vocational
Accounting, Business Studies

Our teachers are highly qualified and well trained to teach the IGCSE curriculum and we will continue to receive guidance and training from IGCSE trained professionals for the Cambridge International Diploma Programme. These trained professionals encourage teachers to think about how they are engaging their students and offer ways to actively involve them in the learning process in and out of the classroom.

Cambridge IGCSE Questions and Answers

1. What is IGCSE?
The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is one of the most recognized qualifications around the world. IGCSE courses are renowned for developing vital educational skills, including recall of knowledge, oral skills, problem solving, initiative, team work and investigative skills.

The resulting qualification provides a foundation for higher level courses, such as A and AS Levels, the Advanced International Certificate of Education, the North American Advanced Placement programme and the International Baccalaureate.

IGCSE caters for different levels of ability with a choice between core and extended papers in any subject. The core curriculum is based on an overview of the subject and is suitable for students expected to achieve grades C to G. The extended curriculum is more challenging and designed for students who are expected to achieve grades A* to C. Grades achieved through either route has the same value.

2. Why should I select IGCSE for my child?
IGCSE is one of the most sought out-after and recognized qualifications in the world. It develops and encourages vital educational skills, including oral skills, investigative skills, problem solving, team work, recall of knowledge, and initiative. In India, the course is offered to many hundreds of schools and is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

IGCSE students can take advantage of the Cambridge checkpoint, a diagnostic service
comprising of standardized tests, that pin-points a students strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas.

3. Where is IGCSE accepted and recognized?
IGCSE is a high profile qualification. It has exactly the same value in admitting students to institutes of further education and employment as the UK equivalent – GCSE.
IGCSE is comparable with GCE O Level and the UK GCSE.
IGCSE has an excellent reputation amongst international schools worldwide.
IGCSEs are recognized as a reliable record of attainment which counts towards entry to
universities and colleges around the world.

A good grade (i.e. C or above) in IGCSE English as a Second Language is accepted for entry by almost all universities in the UK and many in the USA, Canada and Australia as evidence of adequate competence in the English language.

4. Who can take IGCSE?
IGCSE is currently designed to be taught as a two year program starting at the Standard 9 level. In some countries IGCSE courses last just one year and there are no formal age regulations.
In most subjects there is a choice between core and extended curricula, making IGCSE suitable for a wide range of abilities. Students can enter for the level that is most appropriate for them and this need not be the same across all subjects.

5. How is IGCSE taught?
At school, students are encouraged to study a wide range of subjects at IGCSE level, at the same time. In order to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, many students take courses from each of the IGCSE groups, particularly if they’re aiming to go on to further education. This can lead to the award of the International Certificate of Education – an additional qualification that recognizes students who pass exams in seven or more subjects, including two languages and one subject from each of the other groups. However it is also possible to study a free choice of IGCSE subjects.

The syllabus is set by Cambridge, but the exact way it is taught will depend on your school. The course differs for each subject, but throughout there will be a mix of assessment methods, including coursework, practical exercises, and oral and listening tests, projects and written examinations.

6. After completion of IGCSE in Standard 10, can my child continue with Junior College in India?

Yes. The Association of Indian Universities has made it clear that IGCSEs are at least equivalent to CBSE Board X examinations. As such, Indian Junior Colleges accept IGCSEs as equivalent too. RiverDale will assist the students in receiving proper accreditation from AIU upon completion of their programme.

In fact, Junior Colleges recognize the value of international qualifications and very often welcome IGCSE graduates.

For more information, please visit www.cie.org.uk