Curriculum?

Question

which curriculum is better IB IGSCE or GSCE?

Answer 1

It depends what you want to do as a result of studying said curriculum.

If you are wanting to get some formal qualifications, your best bet'd almost certainly be the IGCSE.

You can't do the IB as a homeschooler - I was told you have to be enrolled in an IB world school to do it. So that immediately rules that option out if gaining any formal qualifications at the end of it is something that is important to you.

GCSE? The problem with GCSEs is that often they involve course work. Fine if you went to school but, as a homeschooler, you'd have to find (and pay) someone to oversee and assess your course work for you; someone who is authorised to do so by the relevant exam board.

IGCSEs are especially good for homeschoolers because they require little or no coursework thus relieving you of all the hassle of trying to find an authorised person to oversee & assess it for you.

However if you're simply looking for the curriculum with the better/stronger educational value without being bothered about doing so 'officially' or taking any exams/getting a qualification at the end of it, I would go with the IB every single time. Simply buy the relevant course companions, text books, work books etc and study the syllabus 'unofficially' and totally 'off the record'.

The IB offers much greater depth and breadth and rigour than A Levels and certainly is much more challenging and demanding than either GCSEs or IGCSEs. However the IB is designed to take the place of A Levels not GCSE/IGCSEs; I don't know if you realise this but you're contrasting two Years 9-10 programmes (GCSEs and IGCSEs) with a programme, the IB, which is designed to be studied during Years 11 and 12.

Answer 2

Please clarify!