IGCSE Tuition in Singapore

What is IGCSE?

Unless you are an international student, you most probably would not know what IGCSE is. Standing for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, it is an international examination curriculum commonly adopted by most international schools in Singapore and all around the world. It is equivalent in standard to the GCE ‘O’ levels taken by most secondary school students in Singapore. IGCSE is taken at Year 4 (Grade 10), which is equivalent to Secondary 4 in Singapore’s national school system. Upon getting an IGCSE qualification, students may proceed with the GCE ‘A’ levels, SAT, International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, and various other certifications.

What does the IGCSE curriculum cover?

The IGCSE curriculum is extensive, offering a variety of academic routes to explore. This is especially beneficial for learners with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is not English. There are over 70 subjects ,  which includes 30 languages, and schools can offer them in any combination. IGCSE develops knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas:

• Subject content
• Application of knowledge and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations
• Intellectual enquiry
• Flexibility and responsiveness to change
• Working and communicating in English
• Influencing outcomes
• Cultural awareness

Schools are involved in the development of the IGCSE curriculum. While the syllabuses are international in outlook, they retain a local relevance. They are created specifically for an international student body and avoids cultural bias. Assessment includes written, oral, coursework, and practical assessments.

Differences between IGCSE and GCE ‘O’ levels

GCE ‘O’ levels offer less coursework compared to the IGCSE, which uses a variety of assessment techniques to test oral and practical skills, problem-solving, and application of skills, knowledge, and understanding. In addition, the latter rewards students for positive achievements e.g. what they know, understand and can do. The IGCSE also prepares students for progression to employment or further study.

On the other hand, some ‘O’ level syllabus was developed to meet specific local needs – this includes the mandatory mother tongue languages such as Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The focus of ‘O’ level languages is on writing and reading skills. Also, thorough School-Based Science Practical Assessment (SPA) exams are limited to students doing pure ‘O’ level sciences.

Which school in Singapore offers IGCSE?

The following table lists the schools or institutions that offer the IGCSE programme in Singapore.

IGCSE TUtors in Singapore

Many tuition agencies offer tuition for IGCSE subjects, usually on a one-to-one basis. Google “IGCSE tuition” and many tuition agencies will pop up on your search results. Sieving through all the options and picking the right IGCSE home tutor can get stressful. Therefore, when looking for an IGCSE home tutor, it is best to approach a reputable agency like ChampionTutor. Browse the profiles of our tutors in Singapore and find out if their skills are relevant to your course of study. Contact us today if you need more assistance.