The differences at a glance
| Cambridge IGCSE | Cambridge O Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual years | Grades 9 and 10 | Grades 9 and 10 |
| Grades | A* to G | A* to E |
| Paper tiers | Core and Extended in many subjects | One set of papers for everyone |
| Coursework | More coursework and practical options | Fewer coursework options |
| Availability | Worldwide | Offered in fewer countries |
| Next step | AS & A Level | AS & A Level |
Which is harder?
Neither is harder overall. O Level has one set of papers, so every student sits papers at about the level of IGCSE Extended. IGCSE Core papers cover less content but the highest grade available is C. For a student aiming for an A or A*, the challenge is similar in both.
Syllabus content differs a little from subject to subject, so if it matters for a particular subject, compare the two syllabuses for that subject.
Same subject, two codes
| Subject | IGCSE code | O Level code |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 0580 | 4024 |
| Physics | 0625 | 5054 |
| Chemistry | 0620 | 5070 |
| Accounting | 0452 | 7707 |
| Business Studies | 0450 | 7115 |
| Economics | 0455 | 2281 |
How universities and A Level schools see them
Sixth forms, A Level schools and universities generally treat IGCSE and O Level as equivalent: what matters is the grade. For A Level Mathematics and the sciences, schools often ask for a B or above, and sometimes an A, in the same subject at IGCSE or O Level.
Which should your child take?
- Take whichever your school enters students for. Most schools offer one or the other.
- If both are possible, IGCSE gives more flexibility: Core or Extended, and a wider choice of subjects.
- If your child plans to take a subject at A Level, they should sit the Extended IGCSE paper in it.
- Moving from either one to A Level is straightforward: both lead directly to Cambridge AS & A Level.