The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) represents one of the most widely recognised pre-16 qualification frameworks in the world. For students and families approaching this assessment for the first time, understanding how IGCSE exams work — specifically the range of question types, exam formats, and assessment components — forms the foundation of effective preparation. This guide provides a structured overview of every major assessment component found across IGCSE subjects, along with targeted preparation strategies for each format.
The IGCSE assessment framework: an overview
IGCSE assessments are designed by examination boards operating under the Cambridge Assessment International Education and Edexcel frameworks. Each subject defines its own combination of assessment components, but the overall structure follows a consistent philosophy: to evaluate a candidate's knowledge, understanding, and skills across multiple response formats. The assessment components fall into five broad categories, and most subjects use a combination of two or more of these in their final grading.
Understanding which assessment components apply to your chosen subjects matters because each format demands a different preparation approach. A candidate who focuses exclusively on content revision without practising extended writing will underperform on structured and open-response questions. Conversely, a candidate who spends all their time on past papers without building foundational knowledge will struggle with high-tariff questions that require precise factual recall. Effective IGCSE preparation requires aligning your study strategy with the specific assessment demands of each subject you are taking.
The grading structure converts raw marks into the familiar A* to G scale. A* represents the highest performance, awarded for marks typically above 90%, while G indicates a pass at approximately 40% or above. This grading system applies uniformly across all IGCSE subjects, regardless of whether the subject is assessed through written examinations, practical tests, oral components, or coursework submissions.
Multiple-choice questions: techniques for accuracy and speed
Multiple-choice questions appear in the majority of IGCSE papers, particularly in mathematics, the sciences, economics, and business studies. These questions typically present four options — A, B, C, and D — and candidates select the single correct response. The format is designed to test rapid recall, conceptual understanding, and the ability to eliminate incorrect options under time pressure.
From a psychometric standpoint, multiple-choice sections reward both knowledge and strategic guessing. When a candidate cannot immediately identify the correct answer, a systematic elimination approach improves the probability of success. Cross-referencing options against known facts, checking units and dimensions in scientific questions, and identifying contradictions between options all form part of a reliable technique set.
One common preparation error involves treating multiple-choice questions as less important than extended-response questions. This is a mistake because multiple-choice sections often carry significant weight in the overall mark scheme and frequently appear in the earlier parts of papers where time pressure is greatest. Regular practice under timed conditions, reviewing why each distractor is incorrect, and building familiarity with the language used in option statements all contribute to higher scores on this question type.
Structured and open-response questions: building written communication skills
Structured questions form the backbone of IGCSE assessment in humanities, languages, and creative arts. These questions require candidates to provide written responses of varying lengths — from short definitions and bullet-point answers to multi-paragraph essays. The term 'structured' refers to the question design, which typically guides candidates through a sequence of related prompts or provides a clear framework for the expected response.
Open-response questions, sometimes called free-response or extended-writing questions, demand longer, more developed answers. In subjects such as history, geography, English literature, and religious studies, these questions assess a candidate's ability to construct a sustained argument, analyse primary sources or literary texts, and support conclusions with relevant evidence. A well-structured extended response typically includes an introduction that addresses the question directly, body paragraphs that develop distinct points with specific examples, and a conclusion that synthesises the analysis.
The key skill for both question types is precision in addressing the specific command word used. Words such as 'analyse', 'evaluate', 'compare', and 'explain' each signal a different cognitive demand. 'Analyse' requires breaking something down into component parts and examining relationships, whereas 'evaluate' demands a judgement backed by evidence and consideration of alternative perspectives. Misreading command words is one of the most frequent causes of underperformance on structured and open-response questions, so candidates should explicitly study the meanings of command words across their subjects.
Practical and experimental assessments: demonstrating hands-on competency
Science subjects — biology, chemistry, and physics — typically include a practical assessment component. In the Cambridge IGCSE framework, this may take the form of a practical test, an alternative to practical paper, or coursework, depending on the specific syllabus and the options selected by the school or candidate. Edexcel IGCSE sciences offer similar flexibility, with options to complete teacher-marked coursework or a centre-assessed practical component.
Practical assessments evaluate a candidate's ability to set up experiments correctly, follow procedures with accuracy, record observations in appropriate formats, and analyse data to draw valid conclusions. The mark scheme rewards process skills as much as outcomes — a candidate who obtains an unexpected result but demonstrates sound methodology and honest recording will score more favourably than one who produces expected results through flawed procedure.
Preparation for practical papers involves more than reading about experiments. Candidates benefit from physically conducting key procedures — using microscopes, assembling electrical circuits, titrating solutions, and measuring variables — to build the motor fluency needed in an examination setting. Reviewing past practical papers, practising the calculation of uncertainties, and understanding how to construct appropriate tables and graphs all contribute to confidence on the day of the assessment.
Coursework and non-examination components: managing extended submissions
Some IGCSE subjects incorporate coursework or portfolio components that are completed outside the examination hall. These components are particularly common in creative arts, design technology, computer science, and certain language subjects. Coursework allows candidates to demonstrate skills that cannot be fully assessed in a timed examination — sustained research, iterative development, and self-directed project management.
Effective coursework management requires starting early, maintaining regular progress rather than leaving completion to the final weeks before submission deadlines, and maintaining clear records of research, drafts, and iterative improvements. The mark scheme for coursework typically rewards planning, development, and the quality of the final product equally, so candidates should document their process rather than focusing solely on the outcome.