Understanding the Differences between IGCSE and IB Board

Confused about the differences between IGCSE and IB curriculum? You’ve come to the right place! Here at DRS International School, we offer both IGCSE and IB curriculum, and can help you understand what the difference is.

The first thing to understand is that IGCSE is a qualifying examination at the Grade 10 level offered by CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) while IB is an international curriculum that offers a continuum of four educational programmes- IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme.

A student who has successfully completed the IGCSE exam is therefore comparable to one who has completed the IB MYP. It is in fact, quite a popular choice among IGCSE students to opt for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) after completing their IGCSE examination.

Rather than looking at the difference between IGCSE and IB, a better comparison would therefore be drawn between the CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) and the IB, both of which offer different programmes for students of various ages.

• Inquiry Based Learning
  Both CAIE and IB emphasize on inquiry-based learning, although the IB approach to it is more clearly articulated. Students of both IB and CAIE learn through exploration and investigation.
• Assessments
  Cambridge Assessments are more traditional and rigorous and focus on problem-solving skills, while assessments in IB are inclusive of more holistic parameters such as portfolios, field work, CAS and outreach etc.
• Internationalism
  While both CAIE and IB foster a strong culture of internationalism, the IB curriculum, by design, clearly defines ways, practices and experiences through which students can become internationally minded.

As you can see, while both curricula are distinctive, there are not many parameters that set them apart and they are both excellent choices for students who wish to study in international universities.

What we recommend however is - why choose, when you can do both? Pursuing IGCSE at the secondary level, and the IB Diploma Programme after that, is definitely a tried and tested recipe for academic success!