If your child goes to an international or British school in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait or Oman, they will most likely sit IGCSE Maths rather than GCSE Maths. Many parents ask what the difference is and which one is harder. Here is a simple guide.
What is the difference?
GCSE is taken mainly by students in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. IGCSE (International GCSE) is designed for students around the world. Both are taken at around age 16 and are respected by universities and sixth forms in the UK and abroad.
The maths itself is very similar: number, algebra, geometry, ratio, probability and statistics. The main differences are in the exam boards, the papers and the grading.
The main exam boards
- GCSE Maths: AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR. Three papers, one non-calculator. Graded 9 to 1.
- Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Maths: two papers, both with a calculator. Graded 9 to 1.
- Cambridge IGCSE Maths: Core or Extended level, with a non-calculator paper and a calculator paper. Graded A* to G, or 9 to 1 depending on the syllabus your school chooses.
Ask your child’s school which board and syllabus they follow. It changes which past papers to practise and which topics to focus on.
Tiers and levels
Both GCSE and IGCSE have an easier and a harder level. In GCSE and Edexcel IGCSE these are called Foundation and Higher. In Cambridge IGCSE they are called Core and Extended. Students aiming for the top grades must sit the Higher or Extended papers. If your child plans to study A Level Maths, Higher or Extended is the right choice.
Is IGCSE harder than GCSE?
Not really. They are different rather than harder. IGCSE Higher and Extended papers include a few topics, like some calculus and functions, that are not in GCSE. GCSE has its own challenges, like more problem-solving questions and a full non-calculator paper. What matters most is practising the right past papers for your exact board.
Tips for Gulf families
- Start early. Year 10 is the best time to build strong foundations, before exam pressure starts.
- Use official past papers. Edexcel and Cambridge both publish past papers and mark schemes.
- Plan around your weekend. In Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman the weekend is usually Friday and Saturday. In the UAE it is Saturday and Sunday. Weekend mornings are a great time for longer practice sessions.
- Get help with weak topics early. Gaps in algebra cause problems across the whole paper.
Online IGCSE Maths tutoring in your time zone
We teach students in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, with lessons at times that suit your school week. Our IGCSE Maths tutors know the Edexcel and Cambridge papers well. Book a free demo class to meet your tutor.