When registering for Cambridge IGCSEs, you often have to choose between Core and Extended tiers for subjects like Mathematics and Sciences.
The Grading Difference
- Core Tier: The maximum grade you can achieve is a C. It covers the fundamental concepts of the syllabus.
- Extended Tier: You can achieve grades from A* to G. It includes the Core material plus supplementary, more complex topics.
Which Should You Choose?
If you are consistently struggling with a subject and your goal is simply to pass (get a C), the Core tier might be better because the questions are significantly easier and more straightforward. However, if you plan to study the subject at A Level or university, you must take the Extended tier. Universities expect A or A* grades for competitive courses, which are impossible to achieve on the Core tier.
Talk to your teachers before making the final decision, and use RevisionGrid to compare the difficulty of Core vs Extended past papers.