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IGCSE and IB boards

Do you have trouble deciding whether to enroll your child in an IGCSE or IB programme? You are not alone, though! The two most well-liked international education programmes are the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

It is therefore difficult for most parents to choose between the two. Having a thorough understanding of the programs is essential to making the right decision with the help of IGCSE or IB teachers in India. You will discover the distinction between IB and IGCSE in this article.

IGCSE Programme

Overhanging the IGCSE programme is a puff of smoke. Many people's interests have been aroused over the years by everything from the most talked-about IGCSE syllabus to its accessibility and the sheer number of affiliating schools.

Furthermore, as a parental figure, you are certain to become perplexed by the abundance of options available. Though you worry that it might become too difficult for them, you also want your child to receive the best education possible. Additionally, it is imperative to make a financially sound choice.

Overall, we can appreciate your confusion. Let's set the record straight and address the main issues of this programme. We'll walk you through a thorough FAQ regarding the specifics of the IGCSE education, its applicability in India, and, of course, the benefits and drawbacks of the IGCSE.

The IGCSE Programme: What Is It?

The University of Cambridge International Examinations created the internationally recognized International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is an English language test. Students who are enrolled in the CBSE or ICSE board at the standard 10th level take this exam, which was established in 1988.

Since IGCSE is regarded as the UK's equivalent of GCSE, students who pass this exam are qualified to apply to universities in the US and the UK for A-level degrees. For some subjects, the curriculum is further separated into IGCSE Core and IGCSE Extended, taking into account the children's varying intellectual abilities.

Salient Features

• Students are graded using an eight-point grading system, ranging from A* to G. IGSCE Core students should score between C D E F G, while extended curriculum students should score between A* A B C D E, according to Cambridge International. As a result, the IGCSE grades differ based on the student's selected programme type.
• IGCSE Teachers say that IGCSE board is better suited for homeschooled students who want to pursue higher education overseas.
• Since science, math, and English are the foundational subjects, they are advantageous for students pursuing both technical and literary fields.
• The ICSE syllabus is adaptable, and students of any age can sit for the test.

As per the Cambridge IGCSE, students have approximately 70 subjects to choose from, according to cambrifgeinternational.org. There are over 190 Indian schools that use this curriculum. Depending on their preferences, students can choose from a minimum of five subjects and a maximum of fourteen subjects for the IGCSE Core or IGCSE Extended programme.

Advantages

• Teachers for IGCSE classes believe that the IGCSE curriculum helps to bridge cultural gaps by instilling in students a sense of globalization and unity.
• Because the IGCSE syllabus is consistent, it is a good option for students who wish to continue their education or relocate overseas.
• This programme takes a more hands-on approach to assist students in developing strong abilities such as analytical, cognitive, and communication skills, problem-solving aptitude, and personality development, among others.
• The breadth of knowledge offered by the IGCSE board and the global consistency of its education gives its students a competitive advantage over those of other boards.

The IB Programme: What Is It?

One of the most important components of preparing students for academic success in a wider field is practical education, which is why the best IB schools in India support learning in accordance with insight and critical thinking.

Learning concepts that are written down is not the only aspect of education. IB schools help students think more creatively and expand their intellectual horizons.

Another crucial component of education in IB schools is teamwork. Collaborating in groups among students can facilitate the exchange of ideas and concepts. Discussions in groups greatly expand the variety of learning opportunities.

IB educational institutions in India offer courses that accelerate character development and creativity. To develop one's personality, one combines thinking and communication abilities with knowledge from books, reading, and writing. Thinking creatively increases a student's ability to compete on a worldwide scale. To understand more on it one can take help of Online Teachers in India.

Features

Teachers for IB classes believe that the development of the qualities of the IB learner profile and an emphasis on international-mindedness serve as the foundation for all four programmes. However, as the following examples demonstrate, every programme also has elements that are developmentally appropriate and unique to it.

• The PYP strives to break down conventional barriers between subject areas through learning and help of IB teachers. Students investigate six global, transdisciplinary themes: sharing the planet, how we organize ourselves, how the world functions, who we are, and where we are in space and time.
• Six global contexts—identities and relationships, personal and cultural expression, orientation in space and time, scientific and technological innovation, fairness and development, globalization, and sustainability—that are expanded upon and developed from the PYP transdisciplinary themes are studied by students in the MYP.
• Six categories of subjects and the three DP core components make up the curriculum for the DP. One of these fundamental components is the theory of knowledge (TOK) course, which explores the central question of how we know what we know and helps students become more conscious of their perspectives and presumptions.
• Students study the four components of the CP core along with career-related coursework and DP courses in the CP. One of these fundamental components of the course on both professional and personal abilities is equipping students with the skills necessary to successfully negotiate a variety of professional and personal environments that they may come across at work.

The PYP exhibition, the MYP individual or community project, the DP extended essay, and the CP indicative project are the culminating projects that must be completed for all four IB programmes. Through these projects, students can celebrate their educational journeys and gain new insights and skills while deepening their understanding.

Advantages

The IB offers a wide range of advantages since its World Schools operate in an international context and provide chances for group collaboration and shared learning.

Actual circumstances

The curriculum offered by IB programmes is wide, well-rounded, conceptual, and linked. It also encourages students to develop their critical and analytical thinking abilities so they can use them in "real-life situations."

Comprehensive Methodology

The International Baccalaureate programmes emphasise education that goes beyond the classroom and concentrate on the students' fullest development, pushing them to become the best versions of themselves and giving them the opportunity to experience life and accomplish their objectives.

Pupils with good balance

The International Baccalaureate programmes aim to provide students with a well-rounded academic experience that emphasises critical thinking and exposes them to a range of viewpoints. This will enable them to develop into self-assured, optimistic individuals who can face challenges head-on and who are ready to apply what they have learned in our complex and unpredictable real world. The top online teachers can boost the advantages related to academic career of learners.

Globally Focused Instruction

To prepare learners to be active members of a global society, the International Baccalaureate stimulates and increases language comprehension and cultural awareness while exploring globally important concepts and issues. This allows the programme to operate within global contexts.

Academic Achievement

IB programmes help students develop a special set of abilities, attitudes, and perspectives that they need to succeed in college and life beyond. They place a strong emphasis on academic rigour and international mindedness. IB learners learn more effectively and autonomously, which boosts their self-esteem and boosts their chances of getting into the world's top universities.