Parent Guide to IGCSEs: Everything You Need to Know

If your child is about to start their IGCSEs, you probably have lots of questions.

• What exactly are IGCSEs? 

• How many subjects should your child be taking? 

• What can you do to help?

You want to support your child through this crucial two-year stretch, but if you weren't educated in the international school system yourself, the whole thing can feel like a foreign language. 

Don’t worry. This parent guide to IGCSEs will walk you through every aspect of the qualification, so you feel confident and prepared to help your child nail their grades. Read on to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• IGCSEs are internationally recognised qualifications taken by students aged 14–16, typically over two years in Years 10 and 11.

• Most students take between eight and twelve subjects, always including core subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science.

• Cambridge IGCSE is graded on an A*–G scale (or 9–1 for Edexcel International GCSE), with a grade C (or grade 4) widely considered a pass.

What Is an IGCSE?

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It’s a globally recognised qualification for students aged 14-16, designed to provide a rigorous academic foundation before progressing to pre-university study such as A Levels or the IB Diploma.  (opens in a new tab)

The IGCSE is the world's most popular international qualification for 14–16-year-olds (opens in a new tab). Unlike the GCSE - which is taken in state schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland - the IGCSE is designed for students in international, independent, and grammar schools around the world.

There are two main exam boards that offer IGCSEs: 

1. Cambridge International Education (CIE) (opens in a new tab), part of the University of Cambridge

2. Edexcel (opens in a new tab), part of Pearson (opens in a new tab)

Both are widely respected, and universities and employers around the world treat them equally. 

When Do Students Take IGCSEs?

Students typically begin their IGCSE courses at the start of Year 10 (age 14–15) and sit their final exams at the end of Year 11 (age 15–16).

The main exam series takes place in May and June each year. There is also an October/November series, which is available in many countries, and a January series for a smaller number of subjects.  (opens in a new tab)

Understanding IGCSE Subject Choices: How to Help Your Child Choose

Choosing IGCSE subjects can seem daunting. However, the system is designed to be flexible, with a broad mix of compulsory and optional subjects.

Your role as a parent isn't to choose for them, but to give them the confidence to make informed choices, and help them reflect on their: 

• Strengths

• Interests

• Future ambitions 

Compulsory Subjects

Most schools require students to study a core set of compulsory subjects. These almost always include:

• English Language (and usually English Literature)

• Mathematics 

• Science (such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Combined Science)

These subjects are compulsory for a reason. Strong results in English, Maths and Science are nearly always required for entry to sixth form, college and university programmes worldwide.

Some schools also require students to take a humanities subject (such as History or Geography) or a second language. But these requirements vary by school and country, so always check with your child's school for their specific compulsory subject list.

Optional Subjects

Beyond the core, students can choose from a wide range of optional subjects. Cambridge International alone offers more than 70 subjects, (opens in a new tab) including 30 languages, covering STEM, humanities, arts, business and more.  (opens in a new tab)

Encourage your child to choose subjects they enjoy and are likely to succeed in, while keeping future pathways in mind. For example, a student interested in medicine should prioritise the sciences. And, a student leaning towards business or law might consider Economics or History alongside their core subjects.

How Many Subjects Do Students Usually Take at IGCSE?

The number of IGCSE subjects a student takes depends on their school's requirements and their own academic confidence.

Most students take between eight and twelve subjects in total, but there's no single "right" number. Quality matters more than quantity. A student with seven strong grades will be better placed than one with ten mediocre ones. Encourage your child to take a number of subjects they can manage well.

Understanding IGCSE Grades and Assessment

IGCSE assessment can be confusing at first, particularly because there are two different grading scales depending on which exam board your child's school uses. Here's a straightforward breakdown.

How the Grading System Works

Cambridge IGCSE (opens in a new tab) uses a traditional A*–G grading scale (opens in a new tab), with A* being the highest grade and G the lowest. Students who do not meet the minimum standard receive a U (Ungraded).  (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel International GCSE (opens in a new tab) uses a (opens in a new tab)9–1 (opens in a new tab) grading scale (opens in a new tab), where 9 is the highest grade and 1 is the lowest. This mirrors the system used in UK GCSEs.  (opens in a new tab)

In many Cambridge International subjects, students also choose between two tiers of entry; core or extended.

The right tier depends on your child's ability and confidence in each subject. Talk to their teacher if you're unsure which is the better fit.

What Counts as a Pass?

A grade C (Cambridge) or grade 4 (Edexcel) is widely considered a pass at IGCSE, and is the minimum that’s generally required for progression to sixth form or further study.  (opens in a new tab)

Most post-16 programmes - including A Levels and IB courses - require students to have a minimum of five IGCSE passes at grade C/4 or above, usually including English and Mathematics.

Key Dates and Timeline for IGCSEs

It helps to have a sense of the overall IGCSE journey so you know what to expect, and when to offer extra support.

Choosing Subjects or Pathways

Subject choices are usually made towards the end of Year 9 (age 13–14), before the two-year IGCSE programme begins. Schools often hold options evenings or one-to-one meetings with tutors during this period.

This is a great time to: 

• Talk to your child about their strengths and interests

• Review any teacher recommendations

• Begin looking at what their post-16 options might require

Beginning IGCSE Courses

IGCSE courses tend to begin in September of Year 10. From this point, students are taught their chosen subjects over two academic years.

Some subjects, like Art & Design, include a coursework or portfolio component that is completed during the course itself, rather than in final exams. It's important to be aware of any internal deadlines your child has for these components, as missing them can affect their overall grade.

Assessment Period

The main exam period runs from April through to June in most schools. This is the most intensive part of the IGCSE journey, with students sitting multiple papers across their different subjects.

Your child's school will issue a personalised timetable showing which papers are scheduled on which dates. Save My Exams also makes the IGCSE timetables for all exam boards available as soon as they are released. 

Results and Next Steps

Cambridge IGCSE results for the May/June series are usually released in August, around the same time as A Level results day. 

Once results are in hand, students (and their parents) will be making decisions about: 

• Sixth form subject choices

• College applications

• Apprenticeships 

Explore our guide to what’s next after IGCSEs for more information.

How Can Parents Support Their Child Through IGCSEs?

Your support at home can make a real difference, even if you don't know the material yourself. Here's how to help in practical, positive ways.

Creating a Supportive Home Environment

Establish a consistent routine where your child has a quiet, dedicated space to study. This doesn't need to be a separate room. A distraction-free table with good lighting and minimal interruptions is enough.

Agree on reasonable study times that work around family life, and make sure there's still time built in for rest, exercise and hobbies. Downtime is essential for memory consolidation and managing stress.

Check out our comprehensive article on creating the perfect study space at home.

Supporting Revision and Study Skills

Help your child create a revision timetable (opens in a new tab) well in advance of exams, ideally by January of Year 11. A good timetable: 

• Spreads subjects evenly

• Builds in regular review of older material

• Avoids cramming

You don't need to know the subject content to help. But you can encourage variety in how they revise: Suggest:

• Past paper practice to develop exam technique 

• Flashcards for short bursts of active recall revision

• Mind maps to link concepts 

• Blurting to strengthen memory and highlight knowledge gaps

Our detailed overview of IGCSE revision strategies will help you support your child with their studies at home.

Managing Stress and Wellbeing

It's normal for students to feel pressure during IGCSEs. But if that pressure tips into persistent anxiety, sleep problems, loss of appetite or withdrawal, it's important to take it seriously. The free Save My Exams Anxiety Relief Kit is full of revision tips to alleviate exam stress.

Keep communication open and low-pressure. Let your child know you're proud of their effort, and avoid adding to exam stress by over-focusing on grades or comparing them to siblings or peers.

If you notice signs of significant anxiety, speak to your child's school pastoral lead or a GP. Early support makes a big difference.

Communicating with Teachers or Tutors

Don't wait for parents' evening to raise concerns. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, reach out to their teacher early.

Most IGCSE teachers are very willing to give guidance on where a student needs to focus and how you can help at home. 

What Happens If Results Aren't What You Expected?

It can be disheartening when results aren’t what you expected. However, a disappointing set of results is not the end of the road. There are several positive options to consider.

Retakes: Students can resit IGCSE subjects. For most Cambridge IGCSE subjects, retakes are available in the October/November series. Edexcel International GCSE also offers resit sessions. It's worth speaking to your child's school as soon as possible to register for resits within the relevant deadlines.

Alternative pathways: Not every post-16 route requires a specific set of IGCSE grades. Vocational programmes, foundation courses, and some colleges have more flexible entry requirements. It's worth exploring all options with your child's school.

Take stock and plan: Sometimes results that don't meet expectations are a useful signal to adjust subject choices at A Level or find a pathway that plays more to your child's strengths. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child retake or improve their IGCSE results?

Yes. Most IGCSE subjects can be retaken in subsequent exam series, usually October/November for Cambridge and November for Edexcel. Speak to your child's school for guidance on registering as a retake candidate and any associated fees.

How important are IGCSE results for future education or careers?

IGCSE results matter for progression to sixth form, A Levels or IB courses. Most post-16 programmes require a minimum of five passes at grade C/4 or above, usually including English and Mathematics. 

For university applications, A Level (or equivalent) results carry far more weight than IGCSE grades. However, a strong IGCSE profile can strengthen applications to competitive sixth forms and is sometimes reviewed as context by universities.

What should I do if my child is struggling with IGCSEs?

Start by talking to them calmly to understand which subjects or aspects are causing difficulty. Then contact their subject teacher, who can advise on targeted support. And if your child is struggling with one tricky subject, consider whether additional tutoring might help. 

Save My Exams also offers a comprehensive range of IGCSE subject resources, including revision notes and exam-style questions to help students build confidence at their own pace.

Support Your Child’s IGCSE Journey With Save My Exams

With a clear understanding of how IGCSEs work, a realistic revision plan, and steady support at home, students can approach their exams with confidence. 

The most important things you can do as a parent are to stay informed, keep communication open, and remind your child that your pride in them isn't conditional on their grades. 

Add Save My Exams examiner-written IGCSE resources into the mix and your child has every chance of success. 

References

Cambridge International - Cambridge IGCSE (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel - International GCSE (opens in a new tab)

Cambridge International - Facts and Figures (opens in a new tab)

Cambridge International - IGCSE Subjects (opens in a new tab)

Cambridge International - IGCSE Guide for Universities (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel - IGCSE 9-1 Grading System Explained (opens in a new tab)