BISB Students Score Highly on IGCSE Exams

BISB Students Score Highly on IGCSE Exams British International School of Boston students were honored once again for earning top marks on the annual IGCSE exams, taken by Year 11 students in June. Students at the British International School of Boston once again achieved high marks on the Cambridge IGCSE exams, performing especially well in modern foreign languages.

One-third of all IGCSE scores earned by BISB students were A*-A grades, exceeding the school’s target by 7 percent. Eighty-seven percent of students received 5 A*-C grades across all subject areas, nearly 20 percentage points higher than average results across the UK.                                     

Students scored particularly high on foreign language French and Spanish exams, with 100 percent of students tested in French and 89 percent of students tested in Spanish earning a B or higher.

In the sciences, female students scored particularly well- a point of pride for the school that demonstrates our commitment to helping all students access these important subjects. In chemistry and physics, 100 percent of female students earned A*-C grades.

Head of High School Anne McCarthy expressed her delight at the results.

“We are very proud of the effort that our students displayed throughout their IGCSEs,” she said. “Once again, our students surpassed expectation, many exceeding the challenging targets set by staff.  We look forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop as they start their IB Diplomas.”

The Cambridge University IGCSE is the world’s most popular international curriculum for students ages 14 to 16 years old and is widely recognized by universities and colleges all over the world.

IGCSE exams are taken in Year 11 across all subject areas, from history, English and world languages, to arts, sciences and maths. Students at BISB study for an average of nine subjects, taking the same exam on the same day as students from all over the world. Papers are sent away to be graded externally and are awarded marks against a standardized criteria.

Students achieving the top grades are expected to use higher order thinking skills, learning to analyze, synthesize and communicate: skills that are essential for further education. Achieving an A* in a subject means that you are not only top of your class, but in the top 15 percent of the world.

The British International School of Boston has a strong history of high performance on the Cambridge IGCSE exams.

In 2012, five BISB students received the “Top in the USA Award,” and 12 students received the “Cambridge Scholar Award” for academic achievement in at least three subjects. Nineteen students received the “Cambridge Scholar Award” for academic achievement in at least three subjects on the 2013 exams. Students must receive a B or higher on three subject exams to receive this award.

Congratulations to all our students!