What to Do With Your IGCSE Results – The Ultimate Guide!

IGCSE’s results day is an emotional day. It’s like a weight has lifted for some pupils after months of revision, stress and bad nights’ sleep. Some others may experience anxiety, disappointment or uncertainty about what will happen. Regardless of whether you did better than you were expecting, or you didn’t do quite as well as you were hoping, one thing is the same: getting your Cambridge IGCSE results is a huge achievement, and a great thing to celebrate.

For student and parent use, this guide takes you through the possible steps thereafter the IGCSE, including what to do if you are unsure of grades, the options of extra exams, retaking subjects, or taking on pre-university options, as well as planning for the future.

Take a Moment to Celebrate

Before making any major decisions, take a step back and recognise the hard work and effort that has been put in to complete your Cambridge IGCSE examinations. These exams are internationally recognised qualifications that are recognised by universities and employers everywhere.

Completion of the IGCSE journey is an acheivement that is remarkable in itself no matter the grades earned. It requires years of preparation as the students will be balancing their coursework, revision timetables, extracurricular activities and personal challenges.

This is also a great time for parents to encourage and support your child. Results are not a mark of, or predictor for, a student’s intelligence, success or potential. The key is how they get from here.

Explain Your Cambridge IGCSE Grades: How, Why and What

Understanding the Grading System

It is a students’ and parents’ first responsibility upon receipt of results to properly interpret the systems of grading.

Traditionally, Cambridge IGCSE follow the A to G scale, with A as the best grade. Strong pass grades (A – C) and passing grades (D-G).

International Schools may also apply the 9–1 grading scale for the Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs for which Grade 9 represents a high level of achievement, and a Grade 4 is a standard pass grade.

Please be aware that grades are not absolute and may vary in difficulty from session to session. This implies that, as an example, as opposed to “90% equals an A”, there is no set guideline for what percentage of a course should represent which grade. Students may also receive a Percentage Uniform Mark (PUM), which will more clearly give an indication of the student’s proximity to the next grade boundary.

“UNGRADED” on a statement indicates that the minimum requirement for G grade has not been met.

ICE Certificate

Students taking a wider range of Cambridge IGCSE subjects may also be awarded the Cambridge ICE (International Certificate of Education).

For the award of the ICE certificate, students will need to obtain at least seven Cambridge IGCSE subject passes in a range of subject groups, to be achieved in a 13-month period. The level of the award is divided into three parts:

• Distinction
• Merit
• Pass

The ICE certificate will prove academic versatility and well-rounded education profile for many students.

How to Proceed if Your Results Were Higher Than Expected

Excellent IGCSE scores can lead to access to competitive pre-university courses, scholarships and prestigious local and international university courses.

Those students that performed particularly well should commence their arrangements for the next academic pathway as early as possible. The most common on-going IGCSE subjects offered in Malaysia are:

• A-Levels
• Foundation Programmes
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Diploma Programmes

A-Levels continue to be one of the most internationally recognised routes for pupils to follow when considering studying abroad, such as the UK or Australia. The IB Diploma, on the other hand, is more suited to those students who prefer to study in a more general organizational structure and with research-based learning.

If you have a clear idea in mind about what you want to study and at which university you want to study, a Foundation programme could provide the quickest and readiest access to university.

It is also now the time to consider what scholarships are available because they generously tend to assist students who have performed well.

Too Long; At the Start of School, You Might Have Sent Your Child on Some Important Errands and Now You Are Finding Out They Were Unsuccessful

You Can’t Panic, There Are Options

You may feel overwhelmed at the moment when it doesn’t work out as you’d hoped, but is not the end of the academic road.

One set of test scores is not the end of the world. An increasing number of successful students have changed their approach to studying, sought extra help with their studies or for selected subjects, and thus achieved successful results.

It is important to remain calm, carefully explore available options and establish a clear action plan.

Remarking (Enquiries About Results)

Your result may be lower than you expected, or very close to the next grade level; you might want to find out more about this from Cambridge International by using the Enquiries About Results (EAR) service.

Reviews come in various forms such as:

• Clerical rechecks
• Reviews of marking

The process of rechecking the marks by the clerk determines whether all the marks were inserted correctly or not, the process of checking manner of marking by the Examiner determines whether the Examiner applied the manner of marking correctly or not.

Students need to be aware that remark deadlines are set and typically occur after a couple weeks from results release. To be aware of that too, grades may go up, stay the same or go down following the review.

Retaking IGCSE Subjects

Alternatively currently a student can re-take singles IGCSE chosen subjects in the following exam-series (October / November or May / June exam sessions).

Up to this point, by retaking subjects, a student can considerably boost his/her overall position and the chances of being eligible to preferred pre-university programmes. By appropriate guidance and concentrated revision, many students make progress from one grade to another, or even two grade steps for instance in a rather short term.

This can be a huge difference with structured academic support. Focussed revision workshops and courses delivered and monitored by subject experts at learning centres, intensive personalised coaching and mentoring from subject specialists can often help students pick up their confidence and improve their weaker areas more effectively.

With the Recent Implementation of the Integrated Curriculum (IGCSE) in Malaysia, This Is a Great Way to Explore Your Post-IGCSE Pathway

The selection of a pathway after IGCSE is dependent on what you are planning to do, how you learn and your goals.

A-Levels

A-Levels are perfect for those that desire flexibility and strong international recognition. In general, there are 3 to 4 subjects covered in depth within 1.5 – 2 years.

Best for:

• Overseas universities
• Professional, STEM degrees
• Pupils who would like more choice

Foundation Programmes

Foundation programmes are suited for those students who have a preferred university and degree in mind.

Best for:

• Faster university progression
• Students who feel they would like to choose a coursework based assessment
• Local private universities

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

The IB Diploma is appropriate for students who are studying in a research-intensive and well-rounded academic environment.

Best for:

• Global university applications
• Those students who like to write and do critical thinking
• Well-rounded academic development

Diplomas

Diploma programmes emphasise hands-on learning to keep students industry-ready, prior to transferring their studies onto a degree programme later on.

Best for:

• Hands-on learners
• Career-focused students
• Direct workforce readiness

Three Inquiries Prior to Picking Your Next Step

Just before signing up for any type of programme, you must ask yourself these important concerns:

1. What is my budget and time frame?

Some are shorter and less expensive, some provide a wider choice of opportunities abroad.

2. Will I be studying in Malaysia or in another country?

If you are looking to study in countries other than the UK perhaps you would prefer a more recognised qualification such as A-Levels or IB.

3. What career interests do I have for the long haul?

The decision on what to do before university should be linked to your future career dreams and studies. For instance, learners who are practical may do well with Diplomas and academically oriented learners may do well with A-Levels and IB.

How ORIENT Academy Can Help You on the Way

Study at ORIENT Academy means getting more than a tuition – it is a personalized academic guidance, suiting your needs and goals.

Experience subject teachers at ORIENT Academy are able to provide a targeted coaching programme for students who are in need of such programmes to help them achieve the lowest qualifying level for Pre-U (SCE) subjects at IGCSE level through the ORIENT Workshop Series (OWS) and ORIENT Integrated Series (OIS).

The academy provides students with a low teacher/student ratio, proven support for students to accelerate through grades – including E to B grade improvements – and effective exam technique instruction, all of which are linked to building student confidence.

ORIENT Academy is situated in Cyberjaya and provides academic consultation which allows students and their parents to make an informed decision on the appropriate post-IGCSE pathway.

Final Thoughts

But when you have your IGCSE results it’s the START point and not the end.

You may have had a great day or you may have had a not so great day but there are always ways to come back. The key is in making the right decisions, asking the right questions, and selecting the path that makes the most sense for you and your objectives.

Don’t know what to do next? Schedule a Free Academic consultation with  ORIENT Academy experts today.

Alternatively, get in touch with the team directly through WhatsApp or head down to the centre in Cyberjaya for more information on what the perfect route is for your future.