Choosing your exam

Benefits

DO YOU WANT QUALIFICATIONS THAT CAN OPEN DOORS AROUND THE WORLD?

IGCSEs are the world’s most popular international qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds. They are your gateway to higher education or professional studies in your home country or overseas. They can help you:

• get a place at college or university abroad

• find better career opportunities

• develop skills that help you lead a more exciting and successful life 

*For example, achieving a Grade C in IGCSE English is often enough to satisfy the language requirements for some universities in English-speaking nations.

Find out how to register for IGCSEs.

What to expect

The British Council makes the whole exam process more straightforward. After all, we help two million people take international exams every year. Here are some things you should know about IGCSEs.

THE COURSE

IGCSEs/International GCSEs usually take two years to complete. Assessment ranges from written to oral tests, as well as practical exams and coursework.

CHOOSING SUBJECTS

You can choose from more than 70 different subjects – from maths to English. Available subjects vary depending on your school, country and chosen exam board.

EXAM BOARDS

Exams are offered through two main exam boards, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Pearson Edexcel. 

Please note: if you take an exam with CIE, you will be studying for an IGCSE. 

If you take an exam with Pearson Edexcel, you will be studying for an International GCSE.

Find out which board is right for you.

ABILITY RANGE

The IGCSE/International GCSE core curriculum is suitable for students who expect to achieve grades C to G.  An extended curriculum offers more challenging content for students aiming for grades A* to C.

STUDYING

Get study tips and advice.

GRADES AND MARKING

Your results are assessed using internationally-recognised A* to G grades. The exam papers are all marked centrally in the UK.

WHEN WILL YOU GET YOUR RESULTS?

Results will be available approximately eight weeks after your final exam submission.

Find out more about getting your results.

WHAT NEXT?

An IGCSE/International GCSE can be your first step toward further education, such A- and AS-levels or even university placements.

Subjects

IGCSEs/International GCSEs give you the freedom to choose a course of study that is right for you. Your chosen subjects should fit with your career goals or plans for further education. To find out which subjects are available in your country, check the list below:

• Cambridge IGCSE subjects list

• Pearson International GCSE subjects list

How to register

The British Council can help you with every step of the registration process. We will handle all of the paperwork, make sure you complete the right forms – and let you know about any deadlines or registration fees.

Find out how to register for IGCSEs/International GCSEs.

Benefits

DO YOU WANT QUALIFICATIONS THAT ARE ACCEPTED BY UNIVERSITIES AND EMPLOYERS AROUND THE WORLD?

A levels are internationally recognised qualifications that are required for entry into many university courses and professional training opportunities. Students typically study A levels between the ages of 17 and 18. A levels can help you:

• get a place at college or university at home or abroad 

• start the career you want

• explore the subjects you love.

Every year, the British Council helps more than two million people take international exams. We are here to help you at every stage of your education – from choosing subjects to registering for exams.

Find out how to register for A levels.

See what grades you need to get a place at your chosen university.

What to expect

The British Council makes it easy to study A levels. We help more than two million people take international exams every year. 

Here are some things you should know about AS and A Levels.

THE COURSE

Students usually complete A levels in two years. In the first year, you study the first half of the A level, which is called the AS level. 

A-levels are assessed by a mixture of practical coursework and exams in both years. 

CHOOSING SUBJECTS

There are many different A level subjects to choose from, although availability varies by country, exam board and school. 

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS 

UK universities typically require students to pass three subjects at A level, but you should check the entry requirements of the universities that you are considering.

See what grades you need to get a place at your chosen university.

EXAM BOARDS

A-levels are offered by two main exam boards – Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Pearson Edexcel. If your school or college has a preferred exam board, you may not need to choose.

Find out which exam board is right for you.

STUDYING

Get study tips and resources.

GRADES AND MARKING

Your A-level exam results are graded on a scale from A* to E. 

RESULTS

Your exam results will be sent to your school or nearest British Council office several weeks after your final exam or coursework submission.

Subjects

Depending on local availability, you may be able to choose from more than 50 A level subjects from the Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.

Available subjects depend on the exam session. Further details can be found on the how to register page.

How to register

The British Council can help you register for your A Levels exams. We’ll handle all of the paperwork and make sure you complete the right forms.  

Find out how to register for A-levels. 

 

When you choose your IGCSE/International GCSE or A level subjects, you may also have a choice of exam board. Exam boards are organisations that offer qualifications to students, and it’s their job to produce exam papers, mark your work and award your grade. We work with two main boards: Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Pearson Edexcel.

So how do you choose between them? Both boards offer qualifications that are internationally recognised and accepted by colleges and universities around the world. 

To find out more about each board, use the following links: 

• Cambridge Assessment International Education: IGCSEs 

• Pearson Edexcel: International GCSEs

• Cambridge Assessment International Education: A / AS levels

• Pearson Edexcel: A / AS levels