This document provides information about the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum offered at the school. It discusses what the IGCSE is, the levels of achievement and subjects offered. It provides details on IGCSE grading and requirements for certificates. Sample grades from 2012-2013 are presented. The document guides students and parents on choosing subjects and lists expectations. It directs readers to speak with subject leaders and coordinators for additional information and guidance on subject selection.

1. INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE)
Mike Carroll – Vice Principal (Secondary)
Wednesday 15 January, 2014

2. What is the IGCSE?
 An international curriculum that develops students' skills
 Creative thinking
 Enquiry
 Problem solving
 Preparation for the next stage in their education including
progression to IB Diploma
 The world's most popular international qualification for 14–16
year olds
 Equips students with skills for immediate foundation year of
University

3. IGCSE LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT
 We would expect at least 5 (five) subjects at ‘B’ level for
automatic entry to Grade 11 IBDP.
 Some tertiary institutions will accept IGCSE results as a
pathway into university eg. Foundation courses or 2+2
community college system.

4. SUBJECTS OFFERED 2014-2015
The subjects for the IGCSE and for the ICE are grouped as follows:
GROUP I: LANGUAGES
First Language:
English, Indonesian (New Course – Bahasa Indonesia)
Second Language: Chinese
Foreign Language: Indonesian, Chinese
GROUP II: HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
History, Geography, Literature (English), Economics
GROUP III: SCIENCES
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
GROUP IV: MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, Additional Mathematics
GROUP V: CREATIVE, TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL
Art &Design, Business Studies, Physical Education,Travel & Tourism,
Information & Communication Technology, Music
NB. ALL STUDENTS STUDY FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS

5. IGCSE GRADING
 Some subjects are offered in two (2) different levels - Core and




Extended eg. Mathematics and the Sciences
Grades available for Core studies are C to G
Extended level grades are from A* to E
Extended level requires knowledge of the Core content plus
additional material.
We only offer Extended syllabi

6. SUCCESSFUL GRADES
 IGCSE candidates will achieve A*, A, B, C, D, E or U for
each subject.
 Grade A* is awarded to those candidates showing highest
ability in a subject
 Grade E for a minimum satisfactory performance.
 Performance below the standard of E are ungraded (U).

7. ICE Qualifications
 ICE (International Certificate of Education) is the group award of the





IGCSE where at least 7 subjects from five subject groupings are taken
To get their ICE the subjects chosen by students must include two (2)
different levels of Languages from Group I and at least one subject from
each of Groups II, III, IV, and V.
Successful ICE candidates will be placed in one of the three categories.
Distinction:
 Grade A in 5 subjects and C or above in 2 subjects
Merit:
 Grade C or above in 5 subjects and grade E or above in 2 subjects
Pass:
 Grade E or above in 7 subjects.
NB. A student may NOT get their ICE if no Group V subject is chosen

8. 2012-2013 INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
IGCSE Grades
STB-ACS Percentage
Year 2013
A*
A
B
C
Below C
A* & A
English Literature
7
1
0
0
0
100.0%
-
-
First language English
15
11
11
5
1
60.5%
86.0%
97.7%
English as a Second Language
0
4
3
0
0
57.1%
100.0%
-
Indonesian as a Foreign
Language
Chinese as a Foreign Language
23
1
0
0
0
100.0%
-
-
11
1
1
0
0
92.3%
100.0%
-
Mathematics
24
5
6
2
1
76.3%
92.1%
97.4%
Additional Mathematics
8
16
10
2
0
66.7%
94.4%
100.0%
Chemistry
25
2
3
1
1
84.4%
93.8%
96.9%
Physics
15
5
4
1
3
71.4%
85.7%
89.3%
Biology
10
2
7
3
1
52.2%
82.6%
95.7%
Geography
13
6
6
3
1
65.5%
86.2%
96.6%
Business Studies
3
12
10
6
0
48.4%
80.6%
100.0%
Travel and Tourism
1
4
4
0
0
55.6%
100.0%
-
Physical Education
2
4
6
7
2
28.6%
57.1%
90.5%
Art and Design
0
3
1
1
1
50.0%
66.7%
83.3%
ICT
0
3
4
4
4
20.0%
46.7%
73.3%
B & Above C & Above

9. How to choose a subject?
 Three major considerations:
− Consider the subjects that are ‘liked’ (student)
− Consider the subjects where a good performance has been
achieved (subject teachers)
− Admission requirements for higher secondary and tertiary
study – look at university entry requirements
(Ms Ezmieralda, Ms Harsha)
 Neglect other students’ selections
 Neglect the likely subject teacher

10. Remember
 IGCSE choices may limit IB choices in grade 11
 IGCSE Additional Mathematics IS a REQUIREMENT for IB Mathematics HL
 IGCSE English Literature IS a REQUIREMENT for IB English A HL
 IGCSE Chemistry, Physics and Biology ARE REQUIREMENTS for
IB Chemistry, Physics and Biology respectively
 IGCSE Mandarin Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia and Art ARE REQUIREMENTS
for IB Mandarin Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia and Art respectively
 IGCSE Music IS a REQUIREMENT for IB Music
 IGCSE History WILL BE a REQUIREMENT for IB History

11. Subject Selection Letter
 The full range of choices available in 2014 – 2015 are
shown below.
 Please note that a subject/some subjects may be
unavailable (x) to your son/daughter. Subjects are
made unavailable when the school believes that the
student’s previous academic record suggests that the
student is not well suited for IGCSE studies in that
subject.

12. Mandatory Subjects
All students study:
6 Electives
Choice 1*
Choice 2**
Choice 3***
Choice 4***
Choice 5****
Choice 6
Availability (√ or x)
Mathematics – Extended (Group IV)
First Language English (Group I)
Subjects [Choose one (1) only from each Choice]
(i) Bahasa Indonesia (Group I)
(ii) Foreign language Indonesian (Group I)
(iii) Chinese Language – Foreign (Group I)
(iv) Chinese Language – Second Language (Group I)
(i) Additional Mathematics (Group IV)
(ii) Information and Communication Technology (Group V)
(iii) Business Studies (Group V)
(i) Chemistry (Group III)
(ii) Economics (Group II)
(i) Physics (Group III)
(ii) Biology (Group III)
(i) Geography (Group II)
(ii) English Literature (Group II)
√
√
Availability (√ or x)
x
√
x
x
x
√
√
√
√
√
√
x
√
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
History (Group II)
Biology (Group III)
Art (Group V)
Travel and Tourism (Group V)
Physical Education (Group V)
Music (Group V)
√
√
x
√
√
x

13. NOTES
* In choosing from this group it is important to consider what your son/daughter will study as
a language option in years 11 and 12. It is expected that the student will continue this choice
in the IB Diploma/Certificate.
** Only those students who have demonstrated strong skills in Mathematics should and will
be allowed to study Additional Mathematics.
*** It is recommended that those students who have a love for Science, have good skills and
a desire to pursue science related subjects at IB Diploma/Certificate and University level
choose Chemistry and Physics. For other students Economics and Biology might be a more
appropriate choice.
**** Only students with strong English Language skills should and will be allowed to choose
English Literature.
Information on the curriculum for the above subjects may be found on the school website
(www.acsjakarta.sch.id).

14. It is advisable that one of the Higher Education Coordinators at school (Ms Ezmieralda or
Ms Harsha) are consulted where there is uncertainty regarding prerequisite subjects for
courses at tertiary institutions.
Subject Heads may also be consulted regarding subject specific questions:Dr Jack Penha – English,
Mr Carolus Sadsoeitoeboen – Mathematics, ICT
Mr Timothy Lim – Humanities and Commerce, Art
Ms Widya Sari – Science
Ms Ratna Hutagalung – Indonesian
Mr Arum Purwaningrum – Chinese
Mr Rusty Smith/Mr Kenneth Chan – PE
Mr Daniel Dasalak - Music
Questions regarding the IGCSE in general may be directed to Ms Dian Hendra (IGCSE
Coordinator).

15.  The choices made on the course selection letter will give
subject teachers, the IGCSE coordinator, myself and the
Executive Principal the opportunity to consider the
suitability of each course to each student.
 Please note that once students embark on their IGCSE
studies we will allow changes only within the first three
(3) weeks of Quarter 1. The cost of any extra books that
are supplied due to changes will be borne by the parent.

16. Reply Slip – IGCSE Subject Choices for 2014 – 2015
(Return directly to the IGCSE Coordinator – Ms Dian Hendra)
Student Name: _________________________
Choice 1: ___________________________
Choice 4: ___________________________
Choice 2: ___________________________
Choice 5: ___________________________
Choice 3: ___________________________
Choice 6: ___________________________
Parent Name: _________________________
Parent Signature: ______________________
Student Signature: _____________________
Date: ____________

17. PROSPECTIVE 2014-2015 IGCSE STUDENTS
Subject
Entering IGCSE
English Literature
Top 20% for English language in Gr 8 (exams). Responds well to literature texts and activities (teacher
recommendation). Consistently good results in reading comprehension (teacher recommendation) and/or
be passionate readers/strong grasp of vocabulary/articulate (teacher recommendation).
Minimum of 50% overall on 1st and 2nd semester reports
At least 1 year of study of Chinese. Has basics in grammar, pinyin, reading and writing characters.
By placement test
Teacher recommendation
English (First)
Chinese (Foreign)
Chinese (Second )
Indonesian
(Foreign)
Mathematics
Additional
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Economics
Business Studies
Geography
History
Travel and Tourism
Art
Physical Education
Music
Minimum of 50% overall on 1st and 2nd semester reports
Consistently good results in mathematics in Gr7 and Gr8 (CA and SA) OR Shown remarkable improvement
from Gr7 to Gr8.
Teacher recommendation. An additional science can only be taken if at least 70% scored in Gr8.
Teacher recommendation. An additional science can only be taken if at least 70% scored in Gr8.
Teacher recommendation. An additional science can only be taken if at least 70% scored in Gr8.
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Teacher recommendation

18. Our Expectations
 Educationally, the next 4 years are the most
important of a student’s life
 Workload will get progressively higher and students
must work hard and submit work punctually and to
the highest standard they are capable of
 Parents must support and monitor their children

19. And Now….
• Talk to subject leaders and IGCSE teachers
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
•
Science (Ms Widya Sari)
Mathematics and ICT (Mr Carolus Sadsoeitoeboen)
Humanities and Commerce, Art (Mr Timothy Lim)
English (Dr Jack Penha)
Chinese (Ms Purwaningrum Handayani - Arum)
Indonesian (Ms Ratna Hutagalung)
PE (Mr Kenneth (Rusty) Smith / Mr Kenneth Chan)
Music (Mr Daniel Dasalak)
Talk to Mr Ng Eng Chin, myself or Ms Dian Hendra (IGCSE
coordinator)