IGCSE Coursework and Practicals for Private Candidates: Cambridge & Edexcel
IGCSE Coursework and Practicals for Private Candidates
Many IGCSE subjects include coursework or practicals. As a private candidate you often don’t have a school lab or teacher to supervise these—so boards offer alternatives.
Alternative to Coursework
- Some subjects (e.g. English, Geography) have a coursework option and an exam-only option.
- Private candidates usually take the exam-only (alternative to coursework) option so they don’t need a school to supervise and mark coursework.
- The syllabus code is different (e.g. 0500 vs 0990 for English); your centre will enter you for the right one.
Alternative to Practical (Sciences)
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics often have a practical component.
- For private candidates, Cambridge and Edexcel offer an alternative to practical paper—a written exam that tests practical skills instead of doing lab work.
- Your centre must offer this option; most British Council and Pearson centres do.
What You Need to Do
- When registering, tell your centre you are a private candidate and need alternative to coursework or alternative to practical where applicable.
- They will enter you for the correct syllabus/option codes.
For more detail, see our Alternative to practicals for IGCSE science exams.
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