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About IGCSE

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The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Programme - an evolving, globally relevant educational opportunity. The IGCSE Programme is administered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Over 9000 schools in 160 countries offer the Cambridge qualifications.

The IGCSE has always emphasized adding values within a national context whilst also contributing to internationalism. The focus is on safeguarding distinctive cultural identity through specific language and literature syllabi, for example, or to include study of regional geography or history.

Thus, the importance of an appropriate mix of global and local contexts is well recognized as an essential dimension of IGCSE.

Key Features

  • Provides an ideal foundation for higher-level courses such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A Levels.
  • Has worldwide recognition and is equivalent to the Certificate of Secondary Education from Indian education boards, General Certificate of Secondary Education, and O Level.
  • 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. DPS INTERNATIONAL, GHANA Community 25,TEMA.

The Curriculum

The IGCSE is a two-year course of study available to students at DPS International in classes IX and X. The IGCSE Class VIII serves as a preparatory year designed meaningfully to cater to the progress of the study in classes IX & X.

Subjects of IGCSE in Class VIII, IX and X
  • First Language English
  • Foreign Language French
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science / ICT
  • Economics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
Optional Subjects
  • English Literature
  • Geography
  • Additional Mathematics

Assessment

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Every subject within the IGCSE programme is assessed on an eight-point scale of grades from A* to G. Any student failing to reach a grade G is awarded a grade U (Unclassified). An A* is an exceptional grade, given to approximately the top 7 % of students within each subject. In some subjects (notably Languages, Mathematics and Sciences) there is a choice between Core and Extended curriculum papers, allowing teachers and students to decide on the most appropriate level of instruction and testing for the candidate.

The Core curriculum in each subject is within the ability range of all students. It provides a full overview of the subject and is targeted at students expected to achieve between grades C and G The Extended curriculum comprises the Core curriculum plus additional and more challenging material. This has been designed for the more academically able student, who is expected to achieve between grades A* – E.

The majority of students at DPS INTERNATIONAL are expected to take their subjects at the Extended level. In subjects where there is no Core/Extended option (such as Geography), the full range of grades – A*-G – is available.

A Survival Guide to IGCSE for Students

Be organized
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Keep all your notes in order. A well-organised book or file will save you a lot of time when it comes to revision. Use your planner every day to record your prep / independent study and make short-term plans. If it is written down you are less likely to forget it! Having a file for each subject is a good idea. Teachers will give you numerous handouts and you will need a place to keep revision notes and mind maps, draft ideas for coursework or other.

Take charge of your responsibility
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If you are absent from school for any reason it is your responsibility to catch up on any work that has been missed. Teachers are always approachable and are there to help you achieve to the best of your ability – but at the end of the day, your achievement is your responsibility.
Prioritize your time and work
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Do not leave things until the last minute. Plan ahead and use your time sensibly. Make a list of things you have to do, and the order in which you have to do them. This will help you.
Meet Deadlines
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Get every piece of work completed in time. If you start by doing this with all short pieces of work you will be more likely to do it when lenghty pieces of coursework have to be handed in.
Find a balance
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Everyone needs some free time to relax and enjoy themselves! Try to find a good balance between time to work and time to play. Allocate set times when you are going to do your work and stick to them!
Ask for help if you do not understand
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Always seek help if something is bothering you, or you do not understand a particular topic. A problem shared is a problem halved, and teachers will not always know you are having problems unless you tell them! Similarly, you must ensure that the work you hand in is your own – that way teachers know what you may need help with and can support your learning as necessary.
Be prepared to work hard
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Adopt a determined and hard working attitude towards your IGCSEs right from the beginning of the course. If you work hard from the outset it will pay off when you receive your results. It is too late to wish you had worked hard the week before the exams, or when you receive your results!
Revise thoroughly
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Good revision techniques are the key to exam success. Everyone has their own particular style of revising – try to find out as early as possible what works best for you! Revision notes are essential, and can be made in a variety of ways – mind maps are a good example. Revision notes provide a summary of the key pointsin array of topics, and should be made from your own notes, text books, or other sources provided. Remember – producing your own notes increases the input of information to the brain and helps you remember things better. Doing past papers is an active way of revising, and taking turns with a partner to quiz each other or discuss topics is also very useful.
Participate fully in class
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Be an active learner - Listen carefully in class, think about what you are hearing and doing. Be prepared to offer your opinions in class discussion, and to value the opinions of others, no matter how different they might be from your own. Never be afraid to ask questions – even if they seem trivial - if you do not understand!
A well planned revision schedule is also essential
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Revision must be planned before any exam sessions. Plan your time carefully, allowing adequate time for all your subjects, and build up regular breaks.
Develop good working habits
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It is really important to use a quiet place to work at home or in boarding where you can organize your equipment and leave things where you know you can go back to them easily! When working in the library, help create a good working environment. Some people find that soothing music in the background helps them to concentrate.
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How can parents & boarding staff help?

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It is very important that you and your parents are working together to help you make the most of your education during these crucial examination years. You need to allow your parents or guardians and the boarding staff to help you.

A few of the ways in which they could help might be:
  • In providing you with a good working environment at home and/or in boarding.
  • In acting as a sounding board for ideas about your work.
  • To encourage you to complete your work on time.
  • To be informed about the work you are doing, the structure of your courses, and the deadlines when important pieces of work should be handed in.
  • To facilitate visits to places of educational value during the holidays.