1. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Programme - an evolving, globally relevant educational opportunity:
The IGCSE Programme, administered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), is firmly established and recognized world-wide. Students in over 150 countries pursue the CIE qualifications. The IGCSE has always emphasized adding value within a national context whilst also contributing to internationalism. The development focus is to safeguard distinctive cultural identity through specific language and literature syllabi, for example, or to include study of regional geography or history, whilst also encouraging an international outlook. Thus, the importance of an appropriate mix of global and local contexts is well recognized as an essential dimension of IGCSE.
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2. The IGCSE Curriculum and its Assessment - beyond knowledge recall, emphasizes a strong skill development orientation:
The IGCSE Curriculum emphasizes the development of habits of critical enquiry and individual research and encourages a problem-solving approach - applying what one has learnt. The assessment process goes beyond just knowledge recall and emphasizes other skills like a student's ability to use and apply knowledge appropriately, to handle information and use it to solve problems, and to acquire experimental and investigative skills. This encouragement to go beyond rote learning or memorization is the key in all IGCSE syllabi. This approach recognizes that 'recall' becomes a relatively less useful skill for individuals in today's world of rapid change. Instead, the development of skills of application, analysis, evaluation and creation become important in encouraging students who are able to take their learning beyond the confines of the classroom and examination hall. The IGCSE approach is rooted in active learning and its assessment models have been designed to reflect this orientation. They include not only terminal examinations but also the assessment of fieldwork skills or practical investigations in the lab, oral and listening skills in foreign and second languages, and project or coursework completed during the course of study. Throughout, the key criterion is 'fitness for purpose' and skills are assessed in the most appropriate way possible.
IGCSE assessments are also designed to be accessible to candidates of widely differing abilities. For most subjects, the IGCSE reflects the approach of using tiered or differentiated papers but within the simpler structure of a core and extended curriculum. The design of the IGCSE curriculum and assessment recognizes the individual needs of students and provides encouragement of the highest possible achievement.
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3.The IGCSE Programme - key features:
- Provides an ideal foundation for higher-level courses such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, 'A'- Levels and the North American APT (Advanced Placement Test);
- Has worldwide recognition and is equivalent to the Certificate of Secondary Education from Indian education boards, General Certificate of Secondary Education, and 'O'- Levels;
- Offers syllabi which reflect local economies and cultures within a global context, hence ensuring that students gain a wide perspective while recognizing and valuing their own environment;
- Develops key learning, problem-solving and investigative skills by encouraging an active, critical and questioning approach to study;
- Ensures a broad-based education, while encouraging a degree of choice.
Is the IGCSE Programme recognized by schools and universities worldwide?
Yes.
Is the IGCSE Programme recognized by higher secondary boards and universities in India?
Yes, it is recognized by CBSE, CISCE and state education boards as a viable qualification for entry to class XI or for other higher secondary education courses.
How are IGCSE students assessed?
A variety of assessment techniques are used, appropriate to the various subjects, such as oral and listening tests, practical and course work which look at overall performance, and contribute 30-50% of the final grade in all subjects, in addition to written examinations.
What are the benefits of IGCSE, when compared with other examinations that might be taken in classes IX and X?
- It is an international examination with world-wide status and credibility.
- It provides excellent preparation for the Advanced Level Programme that The Lexicon International School students follow in classes XI and XII.
Which modern foreign languages will be available?
We currently offer French as a foreign language and Hindi as an Indian language.
Can an IGCSE student at The Lexicon International School continue his / her studies at another IGCSE authorized school if the need arises?
Yes, as all IGCSE authorized schools across the world follow a common curriculum. IGCSE students, enjoy enormous mobility and transferability. However, admission to another school will be subject to the admissions policy of that school and the availability of places and subjects on offer.
What options are available after completing the IGCSE Programme?
Obviously, we hope that our IGCSE students will continue at The Lexicon International School and follow the Advanced Level [A level] Programme in classes XI and XII. The IGCSE board examinations are held in May-June and the results are announced online in the 2nd week of August, with the print copies of results available in the school by the 3rd week of August. The certificates are issued mid-October. Although these timelines do not synchronize with the admissions schedules of the Indian +2 boards (ISC / CBSE / HSC), IGCSE students may seek provisional admission to them on the basis of the predicted grades.
Notwithstanding the above position, the time-lag between the announcement of IGCSE results and the class XI admissions timelines acts, to some extent, as a limiting factor with respect to options within the Indian curriculum.
It is also pertinent to note that students who pursue programmes like the GCE 'A' level and so on, after their IGCSE class X, will also have the option to study with universities in India.
Further information on the IGCSE Programme may be found at www.cie.org.uk
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