In grades 9 and 10, IISA has as its core curricular courses the (CIE) International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE). IGCSE is a suite of qualifications that provides a broad curriculum suitable for an international school such as IISA. The IGCSE program is designed to encourage high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning. IGCSE is generally taught as a two-year course leading to examination in the year of the student's sixteenth birthday. Thorough knowledge of IGCSE resources and the IB program in grades 11 and 12 make IGCSE courses an excellent preamble to the IB.

To take account of students' differing ability levels, in most subjects there is a choice between core and extended curriculum IGCSE exam options. At IISA, we teach the extended curriculum because this option leads to the IB Diploma program. Some students, in consultation with the teacher and the counselor, might want to register for the IGCSE core examination in a given subject. However, the extended curriculum provides a route to higher level study in the subject. The flexibility of the IGCSE curriculum is demonstrated by the fact that students may follow different levels of the curriculum in different subjects.

As a skills-based curriculum, IGCSE uses a wide range of assessment processes and techniques to complement formal written examinations – orals, practical, projects and coursework of various types are all used when they are the most effective and appropriate means of measuring attainment.
Oral assessment is optional in all first languages and compulsory in all foreign languages.

IISA students sit for IGCSE exams at the end of grade 10. IGCSE exams are set and corrected by CIE. This experience of rigorous external examinations provides good practice for the IB Diploma Program, which is also externally moderated. At IISA, results of IGCSE examinations do not impact earning of credit or graduation from IISA but results do affect student choice of IB diploma courses. Performance on IGCSE exams and final marks earned in grade 10 particularly impact the student’s transition into the IB Diploma Program in the areas of Mathematics and the Sciences.

The grading system used by CIE differs from the IISA grading system. An eight-point scale of grades is used: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Grade A* is awarded for the highest level of achievement, and grade G indicates minimum satisfactory performance. For more information about the IGCSE, please go to their website http://www.cie.org.uk.There's a website for parents.

IGCSE Benefits for Students

1. IGCSE is a high profile qualification with an excellent reputation.
2. IGCSE provides a foundation for higher level courses, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Study and examination as IGCSE provide a broad knowledge base and learning skills that are excellent.
3. IGCSE is recognized as a reliable record of attainment which may count towards entry to universities and colleges around the world.

IGCSE Subjects offered at IISA:

IGCSE English Language 0500

1. This course is a pre-requisite towards graduation from IISA (4 credits, total).
2. The student may be registered for IGCSE English as a Second Language 0510.
3. This course transitions into IB English SL/HL.

IGCSE Mathematics 0580

1. This course is a pre-requisite towards graduation from IISA (3 credits, total).
2. This course transitions into IB Math SL.

IGCSE Additional Mathematics 0606

1. Pre-requisites in order to be allowed into this subject: The student must earn at least a "6" as a final mark in grade 8 Math.
2. This course transitions into IB Mathematics HL if student meets the pre-requisites.

IGCSE Coordinated Sciences 0654

1. This course is a pre-requisite towards graduation from IISA (3 credits, total).
2. Course content integrates Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
3. Course transitions into any "Group 4 (Experimental Sciences)" IB subject at SL/HL

In grade 9, the student must choose either French or Geography.

IGCSE French 0520

1. This subject is aimed at non-native speakers who have been exposed to the language in middle school for at least 3 years.
2. This subject transitions into IB French SL or HL. A second or foreign language is a pre-requisite for graduation.

IGCSE Geography 0460

IGCSE History 0470

IGCSE Arabic for Native Speakers 0508

This subject is aimed at native speakers of colloquial Arabic who have been exposed to formal schooling in Modern Standard Arabic for several years. This course transitions into IB Arabic at SL or HL.

IGCSE Arabic as a Second Language (ASL)/Arabic for Foreigners 0544

This course is designed for students who are not native speakers of Arabic or for students who are native speakers of spoken colloquial Arabic but have not been introduced to the writing system. The course encourages students to develop ability to communicate in Arabic, both orally and in writing. Students are exposed to both spoken colloquial everyday usage and basic writing in MSA.