What is the IGCSE?
IGCSE is the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. To achieve the IGSCE certificate students must take part in its two-year programme, where they can take multiple courses including mathematics, language, social studies, sciences and 70+ more. Students primarily take these courses in grades 10 and 11.
Once students have finished their 11th grade, they will take an externally set and graded exam from the University of Cambridge. If a student passes the exam, they will be recognized with an IGCSE certificate. An IGCSE certificate helps students receive acceptance into universities and gain employment worldwide. The IGCSE exam consists of individual exams for each subject, and students are graded based on their performance in each subject.
What is IGCSE maths?
The IGCSE maths exam is the individual exam that tests a student’s skills in mathematics. The IGCSE has a course dedicated solely to mathematics and aims to help students build competence and confidence in maths while improving their techniques and understanding of the subject. The syllabus of the course is meant to be adjusted by the tutors based on a student's learning preference and capability. The course aims to help students develop skills in quantity, patterns and relationships while gaining the ability to apply this knowledge throughout their life.
There are two sections of the IGCSE maths course; the IGCSE maths and the IGCSE maths Advanced. The IGCSE maths advanced course explorers further into the skills learned in the first IGCSE course, and those that perform well in the first can progress to the advanced course. For both courses, the IGCSE maths prioritises problem-solving and presenting and interpreting results. This is because they are the skills most likely to be useful in daily life. Once students have finished with the curriculum, they should have a strong understanding of communication and reasoning using mathematical concepts.
What is the IGCSE grading system?
The IGCSEs are made and conducted by the Cambridge International University, and their exams are graded on a scale of A*-G. This grading system is widely used and/or recognised by universities worldwide. It consists of grades A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. A* is the most a person could score, and G is the least. There is also the grade U, which is given when the exam is not attempted. Students taking the IGCSE exam aim for a score between A* and D because anything lower than a D is a fail.
This grading system can also be confused with the one to nine scales. This is where a score of nine is given to those with the highest score, and one is given to those with the least. The IGCSE originates in England, where many institutions grade on a one through nine scales, though the IGCSE only grades on a scale of A*-G.
How to prepare with IGCSE past papers
The IGCSE courses take two years to complete and require continuous effort and dedication to the specific subjects. This continuous learning helps students retain information easier, though extra studying and preparation are always recommended when the exams are coming up. Some suggest beginning studying for the exam 6 months before the date. Studying is usually practised with online and physical materials made specifically for IGCSE exams like maths.
The online and physical exam study materials are designed to work with the Cambridge University curriculum, and further prepare students for the exam so that they can receive their desired results. Studying methods often include reading the curriculum over again, finding online flashcards or creating some and taking part in a study group to help students learn together. A popular option that helps students study is to use past papers that were used for the IGCSE exam.
The IGCSE exam papers change every year to prevent cheating. They are a great resource so that students have an idea of what to expect from the IGCSE exams. The general ideas and themes of the exam do not change despite the questions changing for every issue.
IGCSE maths past papers
Many online resources have many of the previously used IGCSE maths papers. Some sites have papers that date back to 2013, though it is recommended to use the most recent years paper that is available. The IGCSE maths exam consists of 4 papers, and each paper can be found online. Students that wish to study with past exams should take the opportunity to simulate the exam at home. This would entail setting a timer and conducting the test as required on the day. This will give students a glimpse into how they perform under pressure, and what they still need to work on.
IGCSE past papers are also one of the best ways students can gain feedback throughout the year. Students can conduct their own test with a practice paper, and ask for a student or a teacher to grade the exam and provide feedback. This will help students understand how to improve, and will teach them methods they can use during the test.
Preparing for the IGCSE test with the curriculum
Preparing for the IGCSE maths exam with past papers and extra materials will be an immense help in raising a student’s desired score, though the first step into having a strong study method is to play an active role in the IGCSE courses. Taking clean notes, asking the teachers questions and actively studying the curriculum throughout the two years will make a big difference in how the rest of the studying methods will go.
Making efforts throughout the year to retain information will also make the months leading up to the exam that much easier. A student that studies the curriculum at a consistent rate is more likely to retain the information past the time of the exam. This means they can use the information in everyday circumstances, achieving the main goal of the IGCSE.
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