Posted: Dec 31, 2018 2:53 pm
I've found this Which? guide on the importance of GCSE grades.
In summary, as GCSE grades affect choice of A Level, and also as universities often specify minimum grades in certain subjects like Maths and English, GCSE grades do have an indirect effect on choices at A Level and uni. However, schools, 6th form colleges and indeed unis have plenty of discretion when it comes to interpreting GCSE results, so it's far from clear that IGCSEs specifically confer any direct benefit to their takers, compared with non-I GCSEs, even if they are easier to get higher grades in.
This too is far from obvious. That Guardian article suggests that IGCSEs include coursework, which make them easier than versions that rely on exams. I'm not sure this is even factually accurate - I've been teaching IGCSE Chemistry as a tutor for several years and it has no coursework. I'm good friends with someone who teaches IGCSE Physics and Maths, and nor do they.
There are also a number of references, including this one, that suggests that the coursework content of IGCSEs is either absent entirely or much less than the non-I versions that have been overhauled in the last couple of years.
As well as my IGCSE chemistry tutoring (with a couple of home-ed kids), I also tutor school kids studying Maths, Physics and Chemistry doing normal GCSEs. I can discern no noticeable difference between the syllabuses, nor the difficulty of the questions. I've been looking quite closely at the new "9-1" syllabus in chemistry, and although it's slightly different, the differences are very small.
Obviously I can only speak for the science subjects, but much as I loathe the tories, that Guardian article sounds like a load of idealogical tosh to me.
As far as I can see, the case hasn't been made for private schools having easier GCSEs, and in any case even it had, it would be making A Levels harder, not easier, thus disadvantaging students when it came to their A Level grades, which much more directly affect university entry.
Having coursework-rich GCSEs, of course, isn't any fairer than those without coursework. It favours those where the parents can afford to spend the time and/or money on 'helping' with the assignments.
At least, even if the parents have paid for additional tutoring, they aren't in the exam room with the kids.
In summary, as GCSE grades affect choice of A Level, and also as universities often specify minimum grades in certain subjects like Maths and English, GCSE grades do have an indirect effect on choices at A Level and uni. However, schools, 6th form colleges and indeed unis have plenty of discretion when it comes to interpreting GCSE results, so it's far from clear that IGCSEs specifically confer any direct benefit to their takers, compared with non-I GCSEs, even if they are easier to get higher grades in.
This too is far from obvious. That Guardian article suggests that IGCSEs include coursework, which make them easier than versions that rely on exams. I'm not sure this is even factually accurate - I've been teaching IGCSE Chemistry as a tutor for several years and it has no coursework. I'm good friends with someone who teaches IGCSE Physics and Maths, and nor do they.
There are also a number of references, including this one, that suggests that the coursework content of IGCSEs is either absent entirely or much less than the non-I versions that have been overhauled in the last couple of years.
As well as my IGCSE chemistry tutoring (with a couple of home-ed kids), I also tutor school kids studying Maths, Physics and Chemistry doing normal GCSEs. I can discern no noticeable difference between the syllabuses, nor the difficulty of the questions. I've been looking quite closely at the new "9-1" syllabus in chemistry, and although it's slightly different, the differences are very small.
Obviously I can only speak for the science subjects, but much as I loathe the tories, that Guardian article sounds like a load of idealogical tosh to me.
As far as I can see, the case hasn't been made for private schools having easier GCSEs, and in any case even it had, it would be making A Levels harder, not easier, thus disadvantaging students when it came to their A Level grades, which much more directly affect university entry.
Having coursework-rich GCSEs, of course, isn't any fairer than those without coursework. It favours those where the parents can afford to spend the time and/or money on 'helping' with the assignments.
At least, even if the parents have paid for additional tutoring, they aren't in the exam room with the kids.