IGCSE vs CBSE – Which School Board is Better For Your Child

A common worry that plagues parents in India today is finding the right school for their child. Most parents are now familiar with education systems around the world and want to equip their children with the right skills and expertise to make a living in future. Fortunately, they have a wide array of options for school boards available- CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and IB. The choice of the board parents choose for their children can make a significant impact on the knowledge the child gains. In the Indian education system, ICSE and CBSE boards are governed by local authorities and are still extremely popular. However, IGCSE and IB boards, governed by foreign bodies, are also gaining popularity in big cities. It is the methodology, structure and approach to education that governs the effectiveness of each of the boards. Read on to find out the unique and salient features of the boards to make an informed decision in tandem with the aspirations that you have for your child.

What Is IGCSE Board?

Administered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations, the IGSCE (The International General Certificate of Secondary Education) programme is recognised worldwide. The curriculum is structurally designed to facilitate holistic development in the child. Learnings are aimed at developing young minds to be more analytical, creative and inquisitive. The teachers act more as facilitators than deliverers of subjects to help students strike the right chord and make a choice. With worldwide recognition, the curriculum prepares for higher levels such as AS and A Level, IB Diploma Programme and the North American APT. It is also equivalent to the CBSE, ICSE and GCSE boards. The curriculum integrates local economies and cultures in a global context ensuring that student gains a thorough perspective of the whole environment. In most subjects, students have the flexibility to choose between the core and extended curricula offering a wide range. It is considered a very tough and rigorous curriculum where assessments are designed to evaluate the overall knowledge of the child in addition to written examinations. As the course hold international recognition, it is apt for students who want to pursue higher education abroad and is equally well recognised by top universities and colleges in India.

What Is CBSE Board?

CBSE (The Central Board of Secondary Education) follows the national curriculum and comprises of two examinations- the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE- Class X), and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE-Class XII). Recognised by the National Council of Educational Research (NCERT), the syllabus is well structured, controlled and predictable. The curriculum is delivered both in English and Hindi across schools in India and is widely followed by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Group of Schools frequented by children working in government services and national banks. The approach to the delivery of education is more traditional with the focus on the assimilation of knowledge in every subject, especially Mathematics and Science. There is not too much emphasis on languages and Environmental education, although it is covered in sufficient detail if students want to pursue a degree in that area. The combination of subjects is pre-set and grouped into “streams”. Students can choose from Science, Commerce or Humanities depending on their career aspirations. The board evaluates students on their ability to memorise and recall concepts in examinations to strengthen learning. It follows an assessment-based approach to a certain extent to test the practical understanding of the student. CBSE as a syllabus is comparatively easy and concise. Those who want to appear for Common Entrance tests can take this route. Schools following CBSE syllabus have a standardised yet affordable fee structure. This also makes it one of the most preferred education board by parents.

Key Difference Between IGCSE and CBSE

One size does not fit all. Picking a curriculum is quite a task for parents nowadays. It depends on many factors- aspirations that you and your child have, whether your child wants to pursue a degree abroad, whether your child wishes to join the civil services in India, whether your child has interests in creative subjects like art, music, humanities and the most important factor- affordability of the course for you as a parent.

1. Subjects and Compulsory Subjects

CBSE

English is a compulsory subject, and in the higher grades subjects are grouped as a combination and divided into 3 “streams”.

IGCSE

The course offers over 70 different subjects with no fixed combinations of subjects. English is the only medium of delivery, and the compulsory aspect of each subject is to gain a global perspective and learn global research.

2. Focus and Approach

CBSE

The key focus is on the accumulation of knowledge with the main emphasis on Maths and Science. The course aims at helping students build their skills and knowledge in Maths and Science for their future studies.

IGCSE

The course applies equal focus on all subjects like Science, Maths, Commerce, and Humanities. It aims at helping candidates gain an inquisitive approach to all subjects to delve deeper and gain an understanding of the subject on their own.

3. Complexity and Detail

CBSE

The concepts are covered for the students to have a basic knowledge. The syllabus does not provide advanced knowledge on the subjects. It is designed to help students gain good scores and also aims at being fair to students with different levels of intelligence.

IGCSE

The course is very demanding and intensive as it requires students to submit an assessment in relation to every topic covered all through the year.

4. Criteria for Assessment

CBSE

The syllabus is application-based and has a certain weight assigned to assessments to be submitted by the students. But, the primary mode of assessment is examination, wherein the students are assessed on the basis of their ability to memorise, recall and write the concepts.

IGCSE

Students are assessed on the basis of assignments and practical application of the skills and knowledge gained.

5. Textbooks and Reference Books

CBSE

The schools have to follow a prescribed set of textbooks suggested by NCERT to facilitate learning on the subjects.

IGCSE

There are no prescribed textbooks and students are supposed to read from a wide variety of recommended books to be able to understand and learn more.

6. The Medium of Instruction

CBSE

As it is an Indian Board, the accepted medium of instruction is English and Hindi.

IGCSE

It is an internationally recognised curriculum, and therefore the medium of instruction is only English.

7. Examinations

CBSE

The most important exams are the All India Secondary School Examination taken in Class X and the All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination taken in Class XII.

IGCSE

Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary 1 & 2 are the examinations conducted by the IGCSE school board.

8. Suitability

CBSE

The syllabus is suited for the parents who have transferable jobs in India and for students who aspire to take the IIT-JEE exams, NIT and AIIMS examinations. It is also suited for students who want to pursue a degree abroad as it lays emphasis on Mathematics and Science.

IGCSE

It is best suited for students who migrate from abroad as the Cambridge curriculum is effective in Class 9 & Class 10. It serves as a precursor for the International Baccalaureate Curriculum in Class 11 & Class 12. Parents who tend to migrate globally could opt for this syllabus as their children will not have difficulty in adapting to the syllabus.

Pros and Cons of CBSE and IGCSE

After knowing the difference between CBSE and IGCSE, some more details, especially the pros and cons, will help parents make the decision.

Here are the pros and cons of CBSE:

Pros of CBSE:

• As informed earlier, the CBSE board is a great option for parents with transferable jobs.
• It is a nationally recognised board, so coaching and guidance are easily accessible all over the country.
• The fees are comparatively low.

Cons of CBSE:

• Students do not have enough subjects to choose from as compared to IGCSE.
• The focus is mainly on theoretical knowledge.
• Knowledge is assessed based on the examination score (their ability to memorise and write the answers).
• Extracurricular activities are not as encouraged.

And, here are the pros and cons of the IGCSE board:

Pros of IGCSE:

• Students get to choose from a wide variety of subjects.
• Students can refer to as many recommended books as they want to increase their knowledge.
• It is the best option for students who want to pursue further studies abroad.
• They follow a structure that encourages knowledge-oriented learning.
• International students can pursue an education in India through this board.

Cons of IGCSE:

• It is a little difficult to find tutors for IGCSE.
• The fees are a little on the higher side.
• The medium of language is only English.

The CBSE and IGCSE curriculum may be different, but the education provided by both the boards is robust and solid. they will help students gain good quality elementary education required to pursue further studies without any impediments.

Also Read:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Boarding School
Importance of Preschool Education for Kid
School Admission Interview Questions and Answers for Parents