As you already know, the IGCSE programme is offered by many private homeschools and international schools in Malaysia. The IGCSE is the international equivalent of the GCSE examinations in the UK.
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is internationally recognized and offers many opportunities for students who want to study locally or overseas.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about IGCSE in Malaysia.
1. IGCSE is Offered by Two Examination Boards
The two examination boards who offer IGCSE are Pearson and Cambridge Assessment International Education. However, the latter is commonly offered in Malaysia.
IGCSE was first introduced by the Cambridge Examination Board in 1985, which is equivalent to O level. Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares and marks all exam papers in the UK.
2. IGCSE Offers Over 70 Subjects
Schools (including homeschooling centres and private schools) in Malaysia have the option to select from over 70 subjects and offer them in any combination to the students. The students have to take a minimum of five subjects plus mandatory subjects.
The Cambridge IGCSE focuses on the application of knowledge, critical thinking, adaptability, excellent English Language skills, and cultural awareness.
3. IGCSE is Preceded by British or Cambridge Curriculum
Students of Malaysia who are enrolled in private homeschooling centres or international schools which offer the Cambridge International Curriculum will sit for the IGCSE examinations in their final year of secondary school.
The IGCSE preparations are done during Cambridge Upper Secondary in the Cambridge International Curriculum. The students are usually between the ages of 14 to 16 years old.
4. IGCSE Examinations are Written Twice a Year
In Malaysia, the IGCSE examinations are written twice a year, in May and October. Students sit for the exams in private examination centres or international schools.
The results are usually issued in August and January. The subjects are graded from A to G – the highest grade is A.
5. A new Subject is Included – IGCSE Malay!
Cambridge Assessment International Education announced the addition of IGCSE First Language, Malay, to the list of subjects in 2018. International schools will start offering the subject in September 2019.
The first examination for IGCSE First Language, Malay, is expected to be carried out in June 2021. Before this inclusion, Cambridge IGCSE only offered the Malay Foreign Language to students with no foundation in the language.
It is also important to know that the IGCSE First Language, Malay, is not equivalent to Bahasa Melayu at SPM level.
6. The IGCSE Curriculum Focus Areas
The approach to teaching the IGCSE subjects is to introduce the students to a variety of subjects and encourage them to make a connection between each subject.
IGCSE Malaysia concentrates on developing the student’s understanding, skill, and knowledge in the areas below:
- Subject content
- Intellectual inquiry
- The flexibility and responsiveness to change
- Working and communicating in English
- Influencing outcomes
- Cultural awareness
7. IGCSE and Home Schooling
The IGCSE curriculum is fast becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeschools due to its high-quality syllabus. Choosing IGCSE as a homeschool curriculum gives a homeschooled student an advantage over the regular student. There are many IGCSE homeschooling centres all over Malaysia.
The child is able to sit for the examination at any time, whenever they are ready for the exam in any British Councils located in Malaysia or any registered Cambridge Schools that accepts private candidates.
In a Nutshell
For Malaysian students, IGCSE Homeschooling is one of the options for them to immerse themselves in a different kind of syllabus – the IGCSE Cambridge syllabus.
If you have more questions regarding IGCSE, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us. Our friendly teaching staff will be more than happy to guide you along.
