The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an English language-based examination developed by the Cambridge Assessment International Education. Typical core subjects for the IGCSE, which follows the Cambridge syllabus, include a first language, a second language Mathematics, and one or more subjects in the Sciences. The examinations are conducted twice a year, June and November with the results declared in August and January respectively. The IGCSE offers around 70 subjects, that include 30 languages and the schools get the privilege to offer them in any combination. The five main subject groups are:
A certificate is awarded to students who successfully completes the assessment requirements with 7 IGCSE subjects – two from group 1, one each from group 2 to 5, and the seventh from any of the groups 2 to 5.
The IGCSE program balances a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and develops the skills the students need for further education and employment.
Cambridge IGCSE History offers the opportunity to study world history from the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first century. The students explore history from a diversity of perspectives, including social, economic, cultural, and political, and are given the opportunity to:
All students study the core content in either of the two options provided below:
The Nineteenth Century – The development of modern nation-states: 1848 – 1914. The content revolves around these critical topics:
The twentieth century – international relations since 1919. Content revolves around these key topics:
In addition to one of the chosen content A or B, the students are required to study one of the following Depth Studies.
All students take three components for the History assessment. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are compulsory. Students have an option between Paper 4 and Component 3
| Paper | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Component 3 | Paper 4 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 1 hour 45 min | Coursework | 1 hour |
| Marks allotted | 60 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Weightage to final score | 40% | 33% | 27% | 27% |
| Question type | Structured questions | Document questions | coursework | Alternative to coursework |
| Details | Two questions from core component and one question from Depth studies
Questions are split into three parts a,b,c |
One question from the core component
Wide range of source materials are presented |
Based on a depth study prescribed in the syllabus or one devised by the center | One question on a depth study
Questions are split into two parts a, b |
| Assessment | Externally assessed | Externally assessed | Internally assessed and externally moderated | Externally assessed |
The assessment objectives are:
AO1 – Students should be able to recall, select, organize, and apply the knowledge of the syllabus content.
AO2 – Students should be able to construct historical explanations based on
AO3 – Develop to acknowledge, interpret, and evaluate and use the range of sources as evidence in the historical context.
Grades A* – G is allotted to the students based on their performance after the successful completion of the assessments: A* being the highest and G the lowest.
Changes in the prescribed topics happen in the examination session.
Nineteenth-century Core Content (Option A):
Twentieth-century Core Content (Option B):
Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):
Twentieth century Core content (Option B):
Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):
Twentieth century Core content (Option B):
Nineteenth century Core content (Option A):
Twentieth century Core content (Option B):
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Book your Free Counselling Session now!IGCSE History is one of the most difficult courses on our list since its average pass rate, which is about 65%, is lower than one might immediately anticipate for a Humanities course.
The history of certain places and events is covered in greater detail in the Cambridge IGCSE History course. Which also examines some of the significant global challenges of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Paper 1 consists of 60 marks, takes two hours to complete and contributes to 40% of your overall history 0470 grade. Two questions from the core material and one question from the deep study must be answered.
Students taking the IGCSE in history learn to present questions, acquire and use historical skills, knowledge, and understanding, and offer historical justifications. The social, economic, cultural, and political domains are just a few of the viewpoints that students may use to study history.
The course is assessed through external exams, which are held in May/June each year. The exams are marked by examiners appointed by CAIE, and grades are awarded on a scale of A* to G.
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