Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE? What changes for students
Both are IGCSE boards, but the syllabus, paper style and mark schemes differ. Why that matters when you revise.
Exam preparationIGCSE, Cambridge, EdexcelMathematics4 min read
Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel both offer an International GCSE. The grade scale and level are similar, but the details differ, and the details are what decide marks.
What can differ
- The list of topics in each subject.
- How questions are worded and how many marks they carry.
- The structure of papers, such as the number and length of papers.
- The way mark schemes award credit.
What to do about it
Find your own specification and past papers from your exact board and subject code. Practise with those, not with papers from the other board.
Why a mismatch costs marks
A student who learns from the wrong board's materials can miss topics, or write an answer in the wrong style. Always check the specification list against your notes.
If your school changes board, or your notes came from a different one, ask your tutor to compare the two specifications and list what is new.