Cambridge IGCSE standards and GCSE - How Cambridge maintains awarding standards

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Cambridge IGCSE standards are maintained through a Code of Practice that aligns awarding standards with equivalent qualifications in England and ensures comparability across subjects. The document summarizes evidence used when setting Cambridge IGCSE grade boundaries, including GCSE–Cambridge IGCSE subject pair analysis, post-award screening data, and examiner-led judgemental exercises. It describes continual fine adjustments when divergence is detected, plus recognition of comparable levels to reformed GCSEs and how schools choose Cambridge IGCSE for its curriculum content and post-16 preparation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Summary

Our commitment

How we achieve this

Statistical and judgemental evidence

Recognition

Schools’ choice

Cambridge IGCSE standards and GCSE Summary • We commit in our Code of Practice to align the standard of Cambridge IGCSE with equivalent qualifications taken in England; we do this using statistical evidence and comparability studies. • Work by external bodies shows Cambridge IGCSE to be comparable to qualifications taken by UK schools; Ofqual has regulated Cambridge IGCSE as Level 1/Level 2 qualifications; which is also the level of GCSEs. • Cambridge IGCSE is high quality preparation for post-16 study • Cambridge IGCSE qualifications were a benchmark for the design of the reformed GCSE in England. • The content of reformed GCSE and Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses has extensive overlap, though Cambridge IGCSE will remain distinct from GCSE, offering an international choice to schools around the world. Cambridge IGCSE® is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It is recognised by leading universities and employers worldwide, and is an international passport to progression and success. Developed over 30 years ago, it is tried, tested and trusted by schools worldwide. This note explains how Cambridge Assessment International Education maintains the standard of Cambridge IGCSE. IGCSE® is a registered trademark of Cambridge Assessment International Education. Our commitment Our Code of Practice1 states: “The grading process will maintain the awarding standard of a syllabus from one year to the next, subject to the need for alignment with any equivalent qualification taken in England, and paying due consideration to the need for comparability with different subjects in the same qualification.” This commitment means we align Cambridge IGCSE awarding standards to those of GCSEs offered in England. How we achieve this We use several well-established methods to ensure that we meet our commitment. 1 Cambridge Assessment International Education, “Code of Practice”, 2017. November 2019 Each year we look at the following statistical and judgemental evidence on the alignment of Cambridge IGCSE and GCSE standards when we are setting the grade boundaries for Cambridge IGCSE. 1. We analyse GCSE-Cambridge IGCSE subject pairs – these look at the previous year’s candidates who took a combination of a Cambridge IGCSE in one subject anda GCSE in another, to see whether they performed better in one than the other. Individual candidates of course often perform better in one subject than another, but over a large population of candidates we can expect to see a close alignment of aggregate performance across any pair of subjects. When a range of GCSE subjects is considered, this tells us whether the Cambridge IGCSE is properly aligned to GCSE standards, or whether the standard needs a minor correction. 2. We look at post-award screening data – this is the method used by GCSE boards to show whether one board’s exams are slightly easier or harder than the others, so that, if any discrepancy is found, it can be corrected in the next year. We use the same method to check that Cambridge IGCSE standards are properly aligned to those of the GCSE boards. 3. We conduct judgemental exercises to compare Cambridge IGCSE and GCSE standards. We use the professional expertise of examiners to review candidates’scripts at key grade thresholds. We keep the alignment of standards under continual review, and, as is common practice across awarding organisations, we make fine adjustments if there is evidence of any divergence of standards in either direction. Looking ahead, we will continue to undertake this analysis to ensure standards between GCSE and Cambridge IGCSE remain aligned. Recognition UK NARIC, the UK’s national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has found that the Cambridge IGCSE can be considered of a comparable level to the reformed GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.2 Further information can be found on our website. In t

FAQs

What is the main commitment described for Cambridge IGCSE standards?

The grading process is designed to maintain awarding standards year to year, while aligning with equivalent qualifications taken in England and considering comparability across subjects within the same qualification.

How does Cambridge set and verify grade boundaries for Cambridge IGCSE?

Each year it reviews statistical and judgemental evidence, including analysis of GCSE–Cambridge subject pairs, post-award screening data, and examiner judgement exercises at key grade thresholds.

What evidence supports recognition of Cambridge IGCSE comparability to GCSE levels?

UK NARIC has found Cambridge IGCSE to be comparable to the reformed GCSE in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and Ofqual has regulated many Cambridge IGCSEs as Level 1/Level 2 qualifications matching GCSE levels.

Oct 23, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick