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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