IB vs IGCSE

Hi Tanaisha,

Do you mean the difference between Middle year program of IB and IGCSE. IGCSE qualification exam is  conducted at the end of class 10 (or you can call it year11 in UK system). After IGCSE  one can go for CIE AS/ A level  or IB diploma or AP which are conducted at the end of class 12. But in IB, till end of MYP there are no exams. I would say a combination of IGCSE and IB diploma would be the best option.  

  What I am trying to learn here is which - IGCSE OR IB is better curriculum wise. 

 Tanaisha

You have misunderstood. You cannot compare IB diploma and IGCSE as these 2 are 2 different exams conducted at various grades.  One at the end of 10th class and another at the end of 12 th class

IGCSE qualification exam is conducted after class 10 by CIE Cambridge International Examinations and it's a 2 yr program covering class 9 and class 10. 

Whereas IB Diploma exam will be conducted at the end of class 12. 

IB has 3 programs namely Primary year program, middle year program and finally IB diploma.  that's why I said the combination would be the best option.

But after IGCSE one can pursue either CIE's AS/A level or IB diploma or AP diploma(us)

Either you can compare IB MYP with IGCSE or Compare the whole programs provided by CIE with that of IBO (all the 3 programmes provided by IBO) 

I guess you want to know about the latter.  As per my opinion completing IB diploma is very challenging academically as the amount of work is more. IB is well suited for the highly motivated students. But both the programmes are good as both believe in the same philosophy of developing creativity, thinking skills, research skills, language fluency, independence in an individual and teach with international perspective.   But the difference is in the amount of work in IB as IB requires extended essay in 4000 words, theory of knowledge, 150 hrs of CAS apart from the comprehensive tests and project work, 1500 - 2500 word research report, fieldwork report, paper presentation for all the subjects. Unless one is motivated and focussed, it will be very difficult to complete IB..  You can follow either of the programme. But you have to decide whether to move to IB or CIE A level  based on your child's ability and also the school's experience in providing these programmes. 

If you want, I will mail you about each program in detail for better understanding. 

I am trying to compare Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE (CIE) to the 3 Programmes of IB (PYP, MYP and IB). 

My daughter will be starting a playgroup soon, so I can't really determine her ability to do IB programme or CIE Programme. What I want to know is which is more beneficial - CIE, IB or combination of both. 

I have short listed 2 schools : one that offers all 3 IB programs (PYP, MYP and IBDP) where as the other offers PYP then switches to CLSP for middle school, then IGCSE and in the end IBDP. I want to know which one should I pick.

Thanks for your help. 

 If you could please mail me the details on tanaisha@gmail.com 

 Hi RoshMom

Thanks for so much details, u r really v well informed. Great info.

 Hello RoshMom,

As you have mentioned IGCSE qualification exam is conducted after class 10 by CIE Cambridge International Examinations and it's a 2 yr program covering class 9 and class 10 , where student get  Assesment thru Checkpoint. I want to mention that Exams Starts  in IGCSE Board from Class 5 which takes place twice in a year called 1st Term & 2nd Term Exam considered as Graded Assesement .

CArya,

The exam conducted from class 5 are not the qualification exams. They are only the diagnostic exams to help students find their area of improvement. And these exams are optional. The school may choose to conduct it or not. FYI from last year i.e 2012, even Cambridge Primary (i.e from Class 1) has diagnostic tests or Progressive tests conducted which are again optional.  

 RoshMom,

Thanks for reply appropriate.Most Parents get Confused with No EXams concept. This is why I have mentioned specifically about Term Exams. I am finding the  syllabus/exams  are more application oriented, based on Conceptual as well as Creative learning.

Thanks !

 hi

Could u please give me the review of Podar International School (Santacruz) Mumbai?

I am planning to enroll in dat school .

Thank U

Dear RoshMom,

I have the same question as Taniasha. Could you please send me the same info. My email address is rajatvohra@gmail.com. I am very confused about which stream to pursue after preschool. I am told IGCSE and IB are one and the same thing. Yet schools are offering different programs. 

Any clarity from your side would really help.

Thanks,

Rajat

 Sent

Hello RoshMom,

Great Info. Can you please send me the info as well. My daughter will be starting 9 th next year and will be very useful for me.

My email: rajeshwag@gmail.com

Thanks a bunch.

Raj

 Hi Tanaisha,

Thanks for such a simple laid out reply. I would greatly appreciate if u could send me the details you mentioned about both IB and IGCSE as I am deciding for my daughter at the moment. 

My email is : kinshuk.rekhi@gmail.com

Thanks a ton.

 Hi Tanaisha,

Thanks for such detailed insights on these 2 curriculums. I would greatly appreciate if u could also send me the details you mentioned about both IB and IGCSE as I am deciding for my son at the moment. He is going to an ICSE school and am not very happy with what he is doing in school. There is too much emphasis on theoretical work and rote learning. I am not sure how much of that he is really learning and what kind of knowledge is he getting.

My email is : mdesai_18@yahoo.com

Thanks a ton.

Dear Rosh/Mom,

Thanks for such detailed insights on these 2 curriculums. I would greatly appreciate if u could also send me the details you mentioned about both IB and IGCSE as I am deciding for my son at the moment. He is going to an ICSE school and am not very happy with what he is doing in school. There is too much emphasis on theoretical work and rote learning. I am not sure how much of that he is really learning and what kind of knowledge is he getting.

My email is : mdesai_18@yahoo.com

Thanks a ton.

 Hi Tanaisha,

My email id is taasmom@gmail.com. Please can you send me detailed info on ib vs igcse. 

Thank you 

Hello Roshmom

Please send the details to my email address nash15624@yahoo.com. My daughter is in jr.kg and am really confused in deciding which stream is good.

Thank you in advance.

Dear RoshMom,

This is a very informative discussion thread.

My daughter is in Nursery and I am still confused as to what streeam to choose for her, IB or IGCSE.

Will it be possible for you to share some more detailed infoirmation on these options.

My email ID is shyamkant.joshi@gmail.com

Thanks in advance

Hi Rosh Mom,

I am also contemplating about the board i would like my child to go to. Can you also send me the details on IB & IGCSE boards which will help me make a more informed decision about my child.

You can drop inthe mail on tanishag@gmail.com. Thanks in anticipation

Hi Rosh Mom,

I am also confused as to what curriculum to choose. Does it mean that only universities abroad would be an option after IB or IGCSE or do Indian universities accept them as well ?

Would be happy if you forward those details to anitharashmi@gmail.com

Thanks

 Sent

Hi Rosh Mom,

Thanks for your quick response. But I have not received it. Could you pls chk ? ID is anitharashmi@gmail.com

Sorry for the inconvenience

Sorry I sent to Anithapillai@gmail.com. Please check now

 Hi Rosh Mom,

You seem to have figured this out. I am still deciding which would be most adequate for my kids and would appreciate if you could kindly send me the details of the two curricula so I could make a more informed decision. Sorry for the trouble and thanks.

My email address is kinshuk.rekhi@gmail.com

Regards.