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I'm a Form 4 student now and I received an offer to MRSM TAR Pekan and I found out that it is newly build (start operating on Mei 2010).It is also the only government school that offers IGCSE.Most schools that provide IGCSE is private school like ADNI.

but some q's do bother me like :-

Is there any difference between IGCSE and SPM?

If we take IGCSE can we not take SPM?

What is the use of IGCSE?


I tried googling it but i can't seem to undestand it..

IGCSE is another 5th form exam, like SPM, O level, or GCSE.

They are considered to be of equivalent levels even if difficulty varies significantly among these different exams (traditionally O level is more difficult than GCSE or IGCSE - and it still is - but this is highly debated).

Of course there is a difference between IGCSE and SPM. Firstly, the syllabus is very different - IGCSE's syllabus will depend on the exam board (Cambridge/CIE, Edexcel, AQA, OCR etc) though in Malaysia you will either take Edexcel or Cambridge or both.

Secondly, the same IGCSE exams are taken by students all over the world (mostly from Britain, Ireland, and English speaking Asian and African countries) - perhaps by more students than SPM. IGCSE is entirely in English (except for languages obviously) and is recognised the world over (although the same would probably apply for SPM).

I don't think anyone would stop you from taking SPM. If you take IGCSEs in addition, that just means you have more subjects/grades, because these are considered to be of the same level. It is the same as a student who takes a mixture of O levels and IGCSEs or GCSEs and IGCSEs. Since IGCSEs are just (mostly) exams you sign up for (with occasional oral assessment and practical exams), anyone can do it anywhere as long as you have an authorised centre (school, British Council, college etc) which can organise delivery of the examinations.

IGCSE has the same use as SPM or O level or GCSE - to get further in you education, that is to say to progress to 6th form and beyond. If you want to enter university, you should complete subjects at IGCSE/SPM and A level/STPM/IB before you can proceed in the ordinary way (obviously there are also foundations and diplomas).

Just some advise to cutexiah, if you take IGCSE instead of your SPM, make sure that you intend to study in private institutions for your 6th form and tertiary education. While they really are of an equivalent level to SPM, I know some occasions of which students studying IGCSE being unable to study STPM and people who took A-levels unable to enter public universities (Matriculation and STPM is favoured). Nothing wrong with the worldwide recognition, its just that you might run into such problems locally so bear that in mind.

Another thing to check, find out the number of subjects each student is allowed to take. This varies greatly from as few as 6 to 13 subjects for IGCSE. This depends on what the school is willing to offer and just ensure that you take sufficient subjects should you intend to apply for scholarships in the future.

All the best.