Quick answer: Neither board is better for every child. The real differences are in how the papers are built (tiers, practical paper, calculator rules) and how grades are reported (A* to G for Cambridge, 9 to 1 for Edexcel). In most cases the school has already chosen the board for each subject, so check that first.
Who this is for: parents of Grade 9 and 10 students at international schools, and families comparing schools or thinking about a switch.
Start with your child’s school and subject code
The school picks the board for each subject and makes the exam entries. So your child may already be on a Cambridge or Edexcel course. Look at the course list, the textbook or the exam entry form. You are looking for a code: 0625 is Cambridge Physics, 4PH1 is Edexcel Physics. Different subjects at the same school can use different boards.
Choosing a school? Ask which board each subject uses. That one question saves a lot of confusion later.
What Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE have in common
- Both are international secondary qualifications taken before A Level.
- Both are mostly assessed by written exams at the end of the course.
- Both lead on to A Level. Cambridge says grades A* to C in IGCSE Physics mean a student is well prepared for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics. Pearson says its International GCSE builds a foundation for its own International AS and A Level.
- Both teach the same big ideas, such as forces and electricity in physics. A good student can do well on either.
Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE Physics: how the papers differ
| Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) | Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiers | Core (grades C to G) or Extended (A* to G) | Untiered: everyone sits the same papers |
| Written papers | Core: Paper 1 + Paper 3. Extended: Paper 2 + Paper 4 | Two papers: 2 hours (110 marks) and 1 hour 15 minutes (70 marks) |
| Practical | A separate practical paper (Paper 5 or Paper 6) | No separate paper. Experimental skills are tested inside the written exams |
| Grades | Usually A* to G | 9 to 1 |
Read more on our Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 and Edexcel IGCSE Physics 4PH1 pages.
Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE Maths: Core, Extended, Foundation, Higher
| Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580) | Edexcel International GCSE Maths A (4MA1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Routes | Core or Extended | Foundation or Higher |
| Papers | Core: Paper 1 (no calculator) and Paper 3 (calculator), 1 h 30 each, 80 marks. Extended: Paper 2 (no calculator) and Paper 4 (calculator), 2 h each, 100 marks | Each tier has two papers, 2 hours and 100 marks each. A calculator may be used |
| Grade range | Core entries are eligible for C to G only | Foundation targets 5 to 1. Higher targets 9 to 4 |
A worked example of why this matters. Say your child is placed on Cambridge Core Maths. The highest grade available on that route is C, however well the exam goes. On Edexcel Foundation, the targets stop at grade 5. So the placement decision (Core or Extended, Foundation or Higher) is worth asking about early, because it sets the ceiling.
Our Cambridge Mathematics 0580 and Edexcel Mathematics A 4MA1 pages explain each course. Browse all our IGCSE maths tutoring in Saudi Arabia.
IGCSE grades: A* to G vs 9 to 1
Cambridge IGCSE results are usually reported as A* to G. Cambridge also offers some subjects in a 9 to 1 version. That version has a different syllabus code, so check the code on your child’s entry. Edexcel International GCSE results for the subjects in this guide use 9 to 1, where 9 is the top grade.
When you read a report or a target, check which scale it uses. A “5” and a “C” are not interchangeable, and there is no simple conversion between them.
Practical work in Cambridge and Edexcel sciences
Cambridge sciences have a dedicated practical paper. It is either a practical test in a lab (Paper 5) or a written Alternative to Practical (Paper 6). Edexcel tests experimental skills with questions in its written papers.
Either way, students do their hands-on practicals in their school lab. TutorDock teaches online and does not run lab practicals. What we do is help students with methods, results, graphs and evaluation, so they can answer the written exam questions.
How to choose between Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE
If you have a free choice, think about four things:
- The likely A Level route. Many students go from Cambridge IGCSE to Cambridge A Level, or from Edexcel IGCSE to Edexcel International A Level. It is not compulsory. Check what the school offers.
- How your child likes to be assessed. Some prefer clear Core or Extended routes. Others prefer one untiered science paper set.
- What the school teaches best. A school that has run one board for years usually has better resources and past-paper practice for it.
- Where support is available. Make sure you can get help for the exact code your child sits.
Checklist: questions to ask the school
- ☐ Which board and code does each of my child’s subjects use?
- ☐ Will my child be on Core or Extended (Cambridge), or Foundation or Higher (Edexcel)?
- ☐ Is it the A* to G version or the 9 to 1 version?
- ☐ Which exam series will my child sit, and when are the mock exams?
FAQ: Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE
Is Edexcel IGCSE easier than Cambridge IGCSE?
Neither is simply easier. They are organised differently, so one format may suit your child better. Pearson describes its International GCSE as equivalent in standard to its UK GCSE. Cambridge IGCSE is also designed to prepare students for A Level.
Can my child switch from Cambridge to Edexcel?
It is possible, but content, paper style and grading all differ. Switching mid-course needs a plan. Speak to the school first, because it handles the exam entries.
Do both boards cover the same subjects?
Both cover the main subjects, such as Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Codes and content details differ, so always check the code.
Which one do universities prefer?
Each university sets its own entry requirements. Check the courses your child may apply for instead of relying on a general rule.
Can TutorDock help with both?
Yes. We offer one-to-one online tutoring for Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE subjects.
Related guides
- Cambridge A Level Physics 9702: papers, topics and how to prepare
- Cambridge A Level Chemistry 9701: papers, topics and how to prepare
- IGCSE Physics 0625 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): how to answer it
- Core vs Extended IGCSE Maths: which tier is right for your child?
Not sure how to support your child? Try a free class
If your child is on a Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE course and needs help in one subject, you can book a free trial class with TutorDock. Tell us the board and the subject. We will show you how a one-to-one online lesson works and where your child could gain the most. There is no obligation.
