Many students between the ages of 14 and 16 in Spain are currently taking the IGCSE, International General Certificate of Secondary Education, an internationally recognized exam. The purpose of awarding this certificate is for adolescents to demonstrate their educational skills and social skills. In addition, it turns out to be the basis for pursuing higher education studies abroad.
The IGCSE provides a strong academic foundation and its effectiveness is endorsed by schools around the world. Normally, students prepare for 2 years, although there are some educational centers that give the possibility of doing it only during the course that is equivalent to 4th of ESO, since the exams are taken at the end of it.
Students take approximately 10 subjects in these exams, established by Cambridge and divided into: main (English, mathematics and science) and optional (human sciences, art, writing, technology…). The subjects in the last group are chosen according to the interests and university and professional objectives of each student, although their availability will depend on the school in which the exam is taken.
Why are IGCSEs useful for students?
This assessment includes written, oral and practical activities in English, allowing students to develop their skills in each of the subjects and their language skills. These activities are specifically designed for the international profile of the students, without losing the education and values of the country in which they are located and avoiding any kind of cultural bias.
Undoubtedly, passing these exams is a very good passport for the future of students, since they are widely recognized by the best educational centers and companies. In addition, they represent a great personal and professional development for the student. Preparation for these exams is based on the development of essential educational skills, such as speaking, problem solving, teamwork, and research.
For all these reasons, from TEMS, The English Montessori School, as a British school in Spain recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture and by Great Britain, they have sent us a series of requirements and advice, for all those parents of students who want or are going to face these exams, so that they can prepare for and pass them satisfactorily.
What requirements are needed to sit the IGCSE?
The requirements are as follows: first, have a minimum score of 4.5 on the IELTS, International English Language Testing System, or a minimum score of 41/70 on the EF SET, Standard English Test; secondly, having all the subjects passed in 1st and 2nd of ESO; and finally, students must be enrolled in a CIE (Cambridge International Education) Registered Center.
How to pass the exams?
To sit for this exam, students must be highly prepared. Besides, many schools have already started the final stretch of this school year. For this reason, from TEMS, they add 5 tips to be able to pass the IGCSE or any exam that approaches with success:
It is important not to leave all the contents for the last days. It is recommended to study weeks in advance, little by little, spending approximately 10 hours a week in the afternoons. That is, about two extra hours a day, outside school hours, from the beginning of the course.
Establishing a study routine is also recommended. This is a key aspect in the organization of any student. The most advisable thing is to have daily objectives and to fulfill them. For example, study two topics of each subject per day, from 17 to 19. Likewise, make summaries, since as the content progresses, making outlines or summaries with the most relevant information of each topic helps to retain the concepts. and review more easily and quickly before the exam.
However, the most important thing is to control relaxation, since nerves are a student’s worst enemy. For this reason, the ideal is to arrive calmly the day before the exam, to only reread the summaries that have been previously made. Also, the excess of previous relaxation is not good either, because it can mean that we do not arrive.
It is important to prepare everything the day before and plan the exam, in case something unforeseen arises. It is better to have everything under control in important situations: backpack, pens, pencils, calculator or even food.
Educational centers should impart this type of advice to their students, as it will help them to face any type of exam and pass it successfully. In the same way, as far as possible, personalized attention is important, both from the center and from the parents themselves, since each person’s brain works differently and it is essential that students know how to get the most out of it.