Difference between O- Level and IGCSE

Cambridge provides the platform by offering O-levels and IGSCE, which support maintaining and helps in the development of the modern curriculum. Through O level and IGCSE, they assess the level of students by conducting different subject-based exams, and it also helps to improve the teaching practice. Both are of similar category and equivalent qualifications contains similarities and differences.

Ordinary Level (O –LEVEL)

It is a qualification done in particular subjects by the students having age 14 to 16 years. This level is followed by A level, and GSCE ousted it in 1988. GSCE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, which is internationally recognized, and students from Wales, England and Northern Ireland can take part in this.

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

The IGCSE is refined by Cambridge University. It is an international qualification, and its curriculum is in the form of a specific English language. It depends on the GCE O level, and its degree is equal to GSCE /O levels.

O-level VS IGCSE

These degrees have some differences which are briefly described below:

• Abbreviation:

O-level stands for Ordinary level.

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education.

• Duration:

In O-level, the duration of course is three years while in IGCSE the course duration is two years.

• Grades:

In O-level, students are awarded by grades for their academic performance from A* to E where A* will be considered as the highest grade, and E will be as lowest.

IGCSE is proposed at a broad capability students’ range by awarding grades from A* to G where A* is considered as the highest grade and G as the lowest grade.

• Assessment:

O level offers fewer coursework alternatives than IGCSE.

IGCSE utilizes a mixture of appraisal methods to test oral and useful aptitudes, activity and critical thinking, and utilization of abilities, information, and comprehension.

• Syllabus:

In O-Level, syllabuses were created to meet particular local needs, for example, minority languages.

In IGSCE, a coursework choice is accessible in several syllabuses, permitting Centers a component of individual decision and allowing instructors to partake in the method of assessment.

• Subjects:

O-level allows the students to choose over forty subjects. The students have to take exams of seven to nine subjects.

IGCSE is flexible enough to help students choosing over seventy subjects. It requires students to take exams of five to fourteen subjects.

• Reward:

The core of O-level languages is on composing and perusing aptitudes.

Whereas in IGSCE, candidates are rewarded for the positive triumph (what they know, comprehend, and can do).

• Focus:

O-level doesn’t have such kind of broad focus as there are more confined pragmatic test alternatives in O Level sciences. These limitations are worthwhile to some teaching centers where assets are constrained, and no oral analyst is accessible.

However, IGCSE focuses on broadside and gets ready for movement to the occupation, or to further study. It gets prepared understudies exceptionally well for Cambridge International A and AS Levels.

• Version:

O-level is a national version as well as international version, students from Whale, Northern Ireland, and England or some other countries (Pakistan, India, Singapore etc)  can give these exams. Not all the countries prefer O level or promote its studies in their universities.

IGSCE is an international version that means students from all over the world can apply for this.

• Skills:

The skills offered in O level’s are reading, writing, comprehension and logical thinking skills.

IGCSE focuses on practicing oral skills, initative skills, practical skills, problem solving skills, knowledge and understanding of skills.

• Standard:

When we compare, we found O-level includes easier exams and less work and students having GSCE considered as an average student.

Whereas in IGSCE, there is a lot of work and difficult exams are there for the students. Candidates have IGSCE considered as an excellent student.

Conclusion

From the above article, we come to know that both degrees differ in grades as in O-level grades are from A^* to E while in IGCSE grades are from A^* to G. There is less coursework in O-level while in IGCSE more coursework is there. The syllabus of O-level is created by looking at local needs; however, others do not consider this while making the syllabus. The main focus of O-level is on writing and perusing aptitudes while the focus of IGCSE is to write whatever students know. O-level is not an international version, while the other is an international version. Students of O-level are average in studies while students of IGCSE are excellent students because they have to do a lot of work.What is better in your opinion?