Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English
About CIE
CIE University of Cambridge
International Examinations is
the worlds largest provider of
international qualifications for
14 19 year olds. Over 1.5 million
students, in over 150 countries,
enter for CIE examinations every
year. CIE is part of Cambridge
Assessment, a not-for-profit
department of the University of
Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE (International
General Certificate of Secondary
Education) is the worlds most popular
international qualification for 14 16
year olds. Created by CIE in 1985,
and based on best practice in the
UK, Cambridge IGCSE is available in
over 70 subjects. It equips students
not only with knowledge of specific
subjects, but also with problem
solving and critical thinking skills, and
an ability to work independently and
as part of a team.
Recognition
Cambridge IGCSE is internationally
recognised by universities in the
UK and overseas as equivalent
grade-for-grade to UK GCSE
International reach
Cambridge IGCSE is taken in 125
countries and suits both national and
international teaching contexts. The
syllabuses use international examples
and avoid terminology only used
in the UK. Non-native speakers of
English are treated fairly.
Syllabus content
Reading
Understanding and collating explicit
meanings
Understanding, explaining and
collating implicit meanings
Summarising, paraphrasing, reexpressing
Understanding how writers achieve
effects
Assessment
(examination in 2008, 2009, 2010)
Paper 1
Title
Brief description
Reading
Passage
(Core Tier)
50%
Reading
Passages
(Extended Tier)
50%
OR
Paper 2
Writing
Articulating experience and expressing
what is thought, felt and imagined
Ordering and presenting facts, ideas
and opinions
AND
Paper 3
Directed Writing
& Composition
2 hours
50%
Coursework
Portfolio
50%
OR
Paper 4
Speaking &
Listening
Speaking
& Listening
Coursework
OR
Paper 6
Syllabus content
Reading
Understanding and responding to
information presented in a variety of
forms
Selecting and organising material relevant
to specific purposes
Recognising, understanding and
distinguishing between facts, ideas and
opinions
Inferring information from texts (Extended
only)
Writing
Communicating clearly, accurately and
appropriately
Conveying information and expressing
opinions effectively
Employing and controlling a variety of
grammatical structures
Demonstrating knowledge and
understanding of a range of appropriate
vocabulary
Observing conventions of paragraphing,
punctuation and spelling
Employing appropriate register and style
Assessment
(examination in 2008, 2009, 2010)
Listening
Understanding and responding to
information presented in a variety of
forms
Recognising, understanding and
distinguishing between facts, ideas and
opinions
Selecting and organising material relevant
to specific purposes
Inferring information from texts (Extended
only)
Paper 1
Exam duration
Weighting
1 hour 30 minutes
70%
2 hours
70%
OR
Paper 2
Reading and Writing (Extended)
AND EITHER
Paper 3
30%
Approx. 45 mins
30%
Listening (Core)
Speaking
Communicating clearly, accurately and
appropriately
Conveying information and expressing
opinions effectively
Employing and controlling a variety of
grammatical structures
Demonstrating knowledge of a range of
appropriate vocabulary
Engaging in and influencing the direction
of conversation
Employing suitable pronunciation and
stress patterns
OR
Paper 4
Listening (Extended)
AND EITHER
Component 5
Separately endorsed
n/a
Separately endorsed
Oral
OR
Component 6
Oral (Coursework assessment)
Syllabus content
Studying set texts drawn from the three
main forms of literature:
prose
poetry
drama
Details of the set texts are in the syllabus.
You can find the syllabus on the CD
contained in this brochure.
Duration
Weighting
2 hours 15 mins
70%
Paper 2: Coursework
30%
2 hours 15 mins
70%
Paper 3: Unseen
1 hour 20 mins
30%
2 hours 40 mins
100%
OR
OR
2008 and 2009
Paper 4: Set Texts Closed Books
The Paper 4 only option exists only in 2008 and 2009. In 2010 this option becomes:
2010
Paper 4: Set Texts Closed Books
2 hours 15 mins
75%
45 mins
25%
Age 1114
Age 1415
Age 1516
Post 16
Cambridge Lower
Secondary Programme
or Cambridge Checkpoint
Cambridge Lower
Secondary Programme
or Cambridge Checkpoint
Cambridge Lower
Secondary Programme
or Cambridge Checkpoint
Cambridge Lower
Secondary Programme
or Cambridge Checkpoint
Cambridge Lower
Secondary Programme
or Cambridge Checkpoint
UK KS3
UK KS3
IB Diploma
Standards
Standards are of great interest
and keenly debated among
teachers, parents, government
bodies and many other interested
parties.
Cambridge IGCSE is
benchmarked to UK GCSE and
recognised by universities in the
UK and worldwide as equivalent
grade-for-grade to UK GCSE.
You may find it useful to refer to
question papers, mark schemes,
examiner reports and exemplar
student answers at particular
grades all available on the CD in
the back of this brochure.
Teacher Resources
Textbooks and resources
A wide range of textbooks is
available for Cambridge IGCSE
English syllabuses - a full resource
list is in the syllabus on the CD in
this brochure and at
www.cie.org.uk. It includes
materials relevant to both
classroom teaching and
professional development.
Teacher Support website
Registered CIE Centres can
access all the materials they need
to teach CIE syllabuses, including
past question papers, mark
schemes, examiners reports,
schemes of work (lesson plans)
and online progress tests.
www.learncie.org.uk
Access to thousands of pages of
up-to-date resources, written by
teachers and ready for classroom
use. The learnCIE Teacher Test
Centre enables teachers to create
tests for students to take online,
or as homework.
www.cambridgestudents.org.uk
Information and reference
materials for students following
Cambridge international courses,
designed to complement
classroom teaching.
Training
CIE offers regular face-to-face
training on Cambridge IGCSE
English syllabuses, giving teachers
the knowledge and skills they need
to help students perform well in
examinations. Online training is
also available, increasing access for
teachers who have limited time or are
a long way from training events.
Expert advice
You can send us queries about any
element of Cambridge IGCSE in
English. Our subject experts
will advise you further.
Easy to administer
CIE offers simple, fast, efficient
and friendly administration. Centres
receive comprehensive assistance
from CIEs Customer Support
team and local representatives.
Administration and results can be
handled online. CIE aims to respond
in full to all queries within two
working days.
Learn more!
Learn more about Cambridge
IGCSE English (First Language),
English (Second Language), English
Literature, or about becoming a CIE
Centre.
Visit our website at www.cie.org.uk
Contact us at
international@cie.org.uk, or
telephone +44 1223 553554.