When you choose your IGCSE/International GCSE or A-level subjects, you may also have a choice of the exam board. Exam boards are organizations that offer qualifications to students, and it’s their job to produce exam papers, mark your work and award your grade. For school exams, the three main exam boards are Cambridge (CIE), Pearson Edexcel, and Oxford International AQA.

CIE: What it is and how does it work?

CIE or the Cambridge International Examination is designed to evaluate students based on their learning ability and competency. The examination is taken by students between the ages of 14 to 19 years old.

The CIE syllabus is continuously updated to gain skills and experiences according to the rapidly changing education system in the digital world. The CIE is accepted worldwide by many leading universities in countries like the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Spain, India, UAE, etc. Some recognized institutions that accept CIE are Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Boston University, and many more

CIE is also accepted as proof of language proficiency and fluency in many British universities. CIE is carefully designed to make it convenient for international applicants, free of bias. And, most non-native English students choose CIE as a prerequisite for admissions in universities abroad.

CIE exams are divided into two tiers — Foundation and Extended. The level is based on the age group of the student and decided when he or she registers for the exam. The AS and A-level exams evaluate skills in subjects like:

• English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Accounting and more

The fees for Cambridge vary based on the level of examination. Subject experts and intellectuals are responsible for the evaluation of the student’s CIE answers. The exam duration is 1 hour, 30 minutes, and the CIE qualified certificate is valid for a lifetime. If you decide on taking the CIE, it is best to register yourself with an academic institution to undergo strategic and disciplined training until your exam to be best prepared.

EDEXCEL: What it is and how does it work?

EDEXCEL is a British examination board owned by the Pearson for higher education and general qualification for international candidates. EDEXCEL qualification can help you get into renowned universities and offer good employment opportunities. The syllabus is designed as per the changing norms of education in the rapidly advancing world.

EDEXCEL is recognized globally and accepted by many universities including Oxford, Yale, Columbia, MIT, CalTech, and many more.

Subjects like Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English, and Economics have only one set of question papers which include both simple and complex questions. But the mathematics paper has a tiered structure.

How do you pick between CIE and EDEXCEL?

• Find out which examinations are accepted by the specific universities in different countries that you are planning to study in the future.
• Register yourself at an esteemed institution to get all the study material and help required to take the test.
• Since English is the medium of instruction, you must be proficient in English and understand the language and grammar in the question papers.

Both CIE and EDEXCEL are internationally recognized examination boards that open doors for numerous opportunities for higher studies and work. Both examinations are similar with variations in the examination papers and exam structure. Based on the university guidelines and preferences, you can choose your examination type.

Cambridge and EDEXCEL have challenging curricula, and you may need the assistance of professionals to achieve the best result. Prime Education Centre offers courses conducted by expert tutors with 12+ years of experience and you can now request a class in any subject where you think you might need help and take the next step towards academic excellence.