Today’s modern and progressive world that we are living in, is more globalized than ever before. As parents, it has therefore become increasingly important to empower our children with ‘Global Skills’ to be able to become relevant members of a modern society. The foundations for this are laid in a child's early years. Therefore, educational choices today are not just limited to choosing a good school or stream, but should also focus on selecting the right fit from all of the varied educational boards available.
The ICSE and the IGCSE curriculum, two curricula have gained prominence in India. The ICSE and the IGCSE curriculum. These two educational pathways have their distinct flavors, with their approach to pedagogy, learning, assessments, and overall skill development. In this blog, we will unpack the key differences between ICSE and IGCSE boards, helping you to make informed choices that align with your preferences and aspirations.
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)
The ICSE curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and balanced education with a good mix of traditional humanities and science based subjects to choose from. It is known for its in-depth coverage of subjects and aims to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. ICSE provides a comprehensive education across various disciplines, ensuring a well-rounded foundation that can be beneficial for diverse career paths.
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
IGCSE is an internationally recognised curriculum developed by Cambridge Assessment International Education. It offers a broader range of subjects and a more flexible curriculum, allowing learners to tailor their education to their interests and strengths. The Cambridge IGCSE emphasizes skill development, practical application of knowledge, and a global perspective.
| Criteria | ICSE Board | IGCSE Board |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Indian Certificate for Secondary Education | International General Certificate of Secondary Education |
| Curriculum Structure |
Three Groups:
|
Five Groups:
|
| Number of Subjects Mandated for a Certificate | It is compulsory to appear for 6 subject exams, with English Language
as one of the compulsory subjects. There is no flexibility to add more. Best of five approach is often used for further admissions, with English Language score included. |
Learners have to take a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14
subjects with 3 compulsory subjects - English, Math, and one Science. Compulsory to take 5 subjects, but offers flexibility to add more subjects if a learner wishes to. |
| Assessment Techniques | Internal assessments , practical exams, written examinations, and project work | Combination of internal and external assessments run by the Cambridge board. |
| Frequency of Board Assessment | Once in a year | Twice a year, with two different options: - November and May - November and February/March (for selected subjects in Asia Pacific) |
| Grading System | Points from 1 to 9, with 1 being the highest and 9 being the lowest. | Grades from A* to G. However, a 1-9 points system is used in select regions. |
| Advantages |
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| Disadvantages |
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Looking at the above overview, we would all agree that both ICSE and IGCSE strive to prepare learners for success, but they do so through distinct educational journeys. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of curriculum ideally depends on an individual and their circumstances, with future aspirations, family circumstances, budget and geographical location all playing an important role in the shortlisting process. There is no one size fits all answer to this choice and the shortlisting should be done after carefully considering all of the above mentioned criteria.
Written by:
Ms. Tejal Dosani | IGCSE Coordinator
JBCN International School, Chembur
