Steps to Ace Your Exams
Preparing and applying for IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams requires a strategic approach, focusing on both academic readiness and administrative requirements.
As an International student based in Sri Lanka, finding a Cambridge or Pearson-certified school isn’t a big deal. In fact, that’s the route most students and parents embark on to facilitate easy access to education and the support required to apply for examinations.
But what if you don’t want to enrol in a mainstream school?
You prefer studying at your own pace.
Is there an alternative route for you?
YES!
Private tutories have tailor-made solutions for students out of school but yet want to pursue the path to obtaining the IGCSE qualification.
INTRODUCTION TO IGCSE EXAMINATIONS
(Pearson Edexcel & Cambridge)
Cambridge IGCSE is by far the most popular international qualification for students in the age group 14-16 years. It is a flexible curriculum with a wide variety of subjects, 70 to be precise to choose from, with no minimum or maximum limit set by the examination body, although experts in the field of education recommend a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14.
The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum offers a variety of routes for learners with a wide range of abilities, including those whose first language is not English. For learners, Cambridge IGCSE helps improve performance by developing skills in creative thinking, enquiry and problem-solving. It is the perfect springboard to advanced study.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs are studied in over 80 countries worldwide and provide options for students with an array of 37 subjects, they are equivalent to UK GCSEs and accepted by universities globally. Aimed at learners aged 14 to 16, they provide the skills and knowledge needed to progress to A Levels, International A Levels, onto university and into employment. The Pearson Edexcel qualifications have been designed in collaboration with subject experts, teachers and university professors, to ensure that the content and assessment methods are appropriate and will enable successful progression for learners.
SUBJECT SELECTION CONFUSION
● Language
● Humanities
● Mathematics
● Sciences
● Creative, technical and vocational.
An over-enthusiastic, confident 14-year-old is given the option to choose from a plethora of subjects. He/She has a million aspirations. Now, how do you think they should be handled?
- Guide them to select subjects, you, as the parent deems fit.
Or
- Give them the freedom to choose.
Take heart that the IGCSE syllabus has been formulated considering the current, diverse socio-economic environment. Subjects come under 5 broad disciplines namely:
- Language
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Sciences
- Creative, technical and vocational.
In most countries, to qualify for university entrance, mathematics and English are mandatory subjects, plus a lot of experts say a minimum of 5 subjects is required to maintain a balance of the different disciplines and enable more options for future studies.
A student can offer anything between 5 and 14 subjects, but keep in mind quality over quantity. And, if students take a seventh subject, they can earn a Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE). This award looks great on your university applications!
With a wide range of subjects on offer, students and their parents have a bazillion options of mix-and-match, thereby opening the doors to a wide range of paths of study for A levels and university.
Don’t fear though that a wrong decision at this stage would alter your entire future.
Students fear that they may pick the wrong subjects and that can affect their tertiary education choices, therefore they are hesitant to choose the subjects they like or want to learn about. They feel it is wiser to only choose subjects that they will follow through at a tertiary level thinking that the subjects they pick may not allow them to do a particular degree later on.
Yet, IGCSE subjects do not affect the future educational plans of the student. You DO NOT have to pursue all the subjects chosen from the IGCSE syllabus at a tertiary level. Moreover, IGCSE subjects WILL NOT STOP you from choosing your preferred degree.
I’M A PRIVATE CANDIDATE, HOW DO I REGISTER?
So, this is on you since you aren’t attending a Cambridge or Pearson-certified school.
No worries though, thanks to the British Council in Colombo which is the certified body to handle the applications for private candidates.
The links to register are attached to ease the application process for you. For Cambridge IGCSE, click here, and for Pearson Edexcel click here!
Follow the step-by-step guide on these links and do reach out to them via email or telephone for further inquiries.
STAYING UPDATED
Since you’ll be applying as a private candidate, it is of utmost importance to stay updated with announcements from the Examination Body.
Students in school are notified by their school authorities, a luxury private candidates do not have.
Check the Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge websites regularly, side by side keeping an eye on the British Council in Sri Lanka website too.
If you do hear of any rumours, contact the British Council as soon as possible to verify what you hear.
After all, missing out on an important update can be detrimental to you.
HOW TO STUDY AS A PRIVATE CANDIDATE? ARE THERE TUTORS FOR US?
YES!
Post the pandemic of 2019, and the emergence of new methods of learning, online tutoring has become a forerunner in the field.
Once you decide on your subjects, check the websites of the examination body and look at the syllabus to get an overview of what you’re going to be studying.
Next, you need to scout for the best tutoring option for you. Do you prefer physical or online?
Once that decision is made, do extensive research on the different institutes available. Speak to others, check online reviews, schedule a meeting with them, discuss how you want your studies to be conducted and then think through all the information before you register with the preferred institute
A friendly, flexible, student-centric option is the best.
And you know why?
Because a student who has chosen to study privately without enrolling in a mainstream school has done so for a reason. Probably to get more personal attention, prefers to not be distracted, is not interested in extracurricular activities and a plethora of other reasons.
These reasons have to be fulfilled and the student and their parents need to feel their decision has been justified.
Smart EDU a renowned institute offering personalized online individual tutoring for a wide array of subjects under the Cambridge and Edexcel curricula catering to the individual needs of a student is a “smart” choice once you decide to prepare for your IGCSEs as a private candidate. With qualified, experienced tutors, and a flexible class timing schedule, offering tailored support at affordable rates, book a free trial session and experience the convenience and flexibility of learning online!
TIPS TO STUDENTS TO SUCCEED AS A PRIVATE CANDIDATE
You’re not in a school and there are no peers in a regular classroom to feel the heat of competition when preparing for a public examination. There are no teachers breathing fire down your neck that your grades have slipped.
How should you create this environment for yourself?
Hold yourself accountable!
Set timetables to revise and recall your studies daily, maintaining a balance between all your subjects. Focus on your weaker subjects and make determined efforts to improve.
Set realistic goals for completion of revision and active recall.
Do past papers frequently and get them graded by your tutors.
Eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of rest, limit screen distractions and fit in some form of physical exercise regularly.
Connect with others in a similar age group and do fun stuff sporadically to lighten the load of studies.
Stay emotionally connected with your family members and reach out for help when needed.
Prayers and meditation help to lighten the stress of examinations too!
IN CONCLUSION
Think consciously, with your mind and heart before diving into any decision that will impact your life drastically.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X