“IGCSEs and A-levels are challenging, but globally respected qualifications”
Josep Mondaca, Year 10 class teacher, Science teacher and KS4 and KS5 coordinator
At ISCB, we prepare students for internationally recognised qualifications such as the IGCSEs and A-levels. These are highly respected around the world because they are externally assessed, ensuring the same standards for everyone. As teachers, our role is to make sure students are ready — from Year 10, we run full exam weeks, using past papers and providing personalised feedback after each exam.
This process not only prepares them for academic success, but also helps them grow as learners, with close support and continuous communication between the school, students, and families.
Understanding IGCSE Qualifications
Q: Why are IGCSEs international qualifications highly respected all round the world?
JM: IGCSE stands for International Certificate of Secondary Education. They are designed
as an international qualification to be taught to students all around the world. To
ensure that students across the world are evaluated to the same standards these
qualifications are externally assessed and marked.
Q: So, students are not evaluated by their teachers?
JM: Exactly, as teachers we are responsible for delivering and preparing our students but
to ensure that the same standards are applied everywhere, their final examinations
are prepared and assessed by external examiners.
Q: Are students only assessed based on their final exams then?
JM: Yes, only the results from their final examinations are taken into account, that is why these qualifications are so highly regarded.
Q: I see, in terms of grades what is the scale used to grade IGCSEs?
JM: IGCSE’s are graded on a scale of 9-1. However the distribution might be a bit different
to other systems you might have experience with.
Q: What do you mean by that?
JM: A level 9 in IGCSE is considered to be highly exceptional, a very small percentage of students achieves a level 9.
A level 8 or 7 is considered a really good grade more than enough for you to continue
studying that subject at A-level.
Levels 5 and 6 are considered good grades and would usually be used as the
boundary for continuation into A-levels.
Level 4 is considered a pass.
And finally levels 3 and below would not be passing grades.
Q: Let me ask you this then, let’s say a student usually performs very well in class
but then performs worse in his last exam, would that be his final grade?
JM: Yes. Nevertheless, part of our work as teachers is to ensure students know what to
expect.
All previous exam papers are available for practice and we are very consistent on
exam practice with our students to ensure that by the time they sit their final exam
there are no surprises.
Q: Is that what you use in your internal examinations?
JM: Yes, once students reach Year 10 we have regular exam weeks. During these weeks
classes stop and students have 2 exams everyday. These exams will be based on
questions used in previous final exams, their grade for that term will be based on the results they achieve in that exam week.
By following this method, students get used to the type of questions and content
covered in their finals exams and at the same time they grow accustomed to the
increased pressure of having exams very close together and those exams representing most of your grade.
Q: Do students and families get any kind of feedback on how to improve their
results?
JM: Absolutely, at ISCB for example after every set of exam weeks students get personalised feedback on each of their exams so that they can improve for next time.
Similarly, families will be sent the results and then be invited to come to a parent
evening or an individual meeting where feedback will be provided on how the exam
week went and what are the next steps we need to take so that it can be improved
next time.
Understanding A-Level Qualifications
Q: You have mentioned A-levels several times in this conversation, what kind of qualifications are they?
JM: A-levels are considered post-obligatory qualifications, they are meant to give students access to universities all over the world.
Q: I am guessing that they are well respected as well?
JM: Yes indeed, A-levels are accepted by most universities all over the world. Similarly to IGCSE these qualifications are externally set and assessed.
Q: I see, are they also graded with a scale of 9-1?
JM: No, A-levels are graded A*- U
Again, similar to IGCSE the top grade (A*) is highly exceptional are will only be a
requirement in incredibly competitive universities like Harvard or Oxford.
An A is a really high grade and will give you access to top universities around the
world.
A B is a good grade, a student with a B in his 3 A-levels will be able to get into well respected universities.
A C is considered a good pass and will be considered by universities for most courses.
Levels D and E are considered to be on the lower end of the scale but are still a pass, these grades might still give you access to less competitive courses.
A U is not considered a pass.
Q: Are they also only assessed at the end of the two year course?
JM: A-levels are a bit different in that regard, students are assessed at the end of Year 12
and at the end of Year 13. So instead of having one unique set of final exams for the
A-level qualification, they will have two, one at the end of each year.
Q: Do they also have exam weeks?
JM: Yes! And they will have the same format they had with the IGCSE students. Individual
feedback is given to students and families for each exam and results are shared with
families. Additionally due to our university counselling it is much more common for
us to meet with families individually after each exam week and look at the current
results and how they align with that particular students goals.
Q: It seems like a lot to meet with every student every few weeks. How do you
manage to keep such a close relationship with students and families?
JM: Well at that stage in their education there are so many decisions that need to be made and we are lucky to have small classes which allows us to give very
personalised attention to all of our students. Having such a small setting as well, allows us to have constant conversations with our students and families to
understand what it is that they need and how we can best assist them in reaching
those goals.
"IGCSEs and A-levels Open Doors Worldwide Due to Their Rigor and Global Recognition"
- Josep Mondaca
To better understand the context of British qualifications like IGCSEs and A-levels, you can read this overview of the system: The British Education System: A Solid Foundation for Accessing International Education
