Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE: Differences and Which Is Easier

Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE: neither board is officially easier. Both are designed at UK GCSE level. The real differences are the grading scale (A*–G for most Cambridge syllabuses, 9–1 for Edexcel), the exam series, how tiers work, and how the papers are built.

This guide compares them using the official Cambridge syllabuses for exams in 2026 and the current Pearson specifications. It is written for students and parents at international schools, including in Indonesia, who want facts rather than opinions.

Cambridge vs Edexcel IGCSE at a glance

The rest of this post explains each row, with the paper-by-paper numbers.

What is the difference between Cambridge and Edexcel IGCSE?

Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE are two separate qualifications from two different exam boards, both designed for students aged about 14 to 16. They cover similar core content in most subjects. They differ in grading scale, exam series, tiers and paper structure, so past papers from one board are not a perfect match for the other.

Cambridge IGCSE is run by Cambridge International Education, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It changed its name from Cambridge Assessment International Education in October 2023, so older documents may use the old name.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is run by Pearson. Notice that Pearson says “International GCSE”, not “IGCSE”. People often say “Edexcel IGCSE”, but use the official name on forms and applications.

On level, the Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus states that UK ENIC found Cambridge IGCSE comparable to the UK GCSE. The Pearson 4CH1 specification describes its content as equivalent in standard to Pearson’s regulated GCSE in Chemistry, while noting that the International GCSE itself is not regulated by a UK regulator.

Grading: A*–G letters vs 9–1 numbers

This is the difference most students notice first.

Cambridge IGCSE is usually graded A* to G. Cambridge also publishes separate Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) syllabuses with their own codes, such as Chemistry 0971, Mathematics 0980 and Physics 0972. You cannot take the A*–G and the 9–1 version of the same subject in the same exam series. Your school decides which version it enters you for.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is graded 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest. Below grade 1 is U (unclassified).

So how do numbers compare with letters? Pearson’s guide to awarding International GCSE qualifications gives three anchor points, shown in the diagram above:

Pearson says grade 9 is “a new level of attainment”. It does not publish a match for 9, 8, 6, 5, 3 or 2. Many websites say “9 = A*” or “6 = B”. Those are estimates, not official mappings.

Grade boundaries for both boards change every series. Our guide to how IGCSE grade boundaries work explains why.

Exam series: June and November (no January for Edexcel)

Cambridge IGCSE: Chemistry 0620, Mathematics 0580 and Physics 0625 are available in the June and November series. A March series exists, but only for schools in India. If you study in Jakarta, Surabaya or Bali, your Cambridge options are June or November.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE: Pearson’s notice of changes confirms that Chemistry 4CH1, Mathematics A 4MA1 and Physics 4PH1 had their last January exams in 2023 and moved to a November series from November 2023. All International GCSEs are still offered in May/June.

Your school chooses which series it enters. Ask early if you are hoping for a November resit, because not every school offers both.

Tiers: Core/Extended vs Foundation/Higher

Both boards let students of different ability sit different papers in some subjects, but they work differently.

Cambridge uses Core and Extended in all three subjects. Core papers cover only the Core content, and the highest grade is C. Extended covers Core plus Supplement content and gives A* to G in Chemistry and Physics, or A* to E in Maths. The 0620 syllabus says Extended is for candidates expected to achieve grade C or above.

Edexcel uses Foundation and Higher tiers in Maths A only. Foundation gives grades 5 to 1. Higher gives 9 to 4, with grade 3 allowed if you just miss 4. Edexcel Chemistry and Physics are untiered: everyone sits the same two papers and can get any grade from 9 to 1.

Chemistry, Maths and Physics: paper by paper

These tables use the Cambridge syllabuses for exams in 2026 (Chemistry 0620 and Physics 0625: 2026–2028; Maths 0580: 2025–2027) and the current Pearson specifications for 4CH1, 4MA1 and 4PH1.

Chemistry: 0620 vs 4CH1

Maths: 0580 vs 4MA1

The calculator rule is one of the biggest practical differences. If fractions and mental arithmetic are weak spots, Cambridge’s non-calculator paper needs extra practice. Our post on the Maths 0580 mistakes that cost the most marks covers this in detail.

Physics: 0625 vs 4PH1

In Edexcel Chemistry and Physics, Paper 1 tests the main content. Paper 2 tests all content, including the extra material marked in bold in the specification. Both papers mix multiple choice, short answers, calculations and longer written answers.

Practicals and coursework

Neither board uses coursework in these three subjects. The difference is how practical skills are tested.

• Cambridge Chemistry and Physics have a separate practical paper. Your school chooses Paper 5 (a Practical Test in a lab) or Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical, a written paper about experiments). Either way it is worth 20%.
• Edexcel Chemistry and Physics have no practical paper. Pearson’s specifications state that experimental skills are assessed through the written exams.

Time pressure: minutes per mark

No competitor guide we found does this, but it is one of the most useful ways to compare how the papers feel. Divide each paper’s time by its marks, using the official figures above.

What this tells you:

1. Cambridge Extended theory is the tightest paper in the sciences, at under a minute per mark. Practise it with a timer.
2. Edexcel’s science papers have an even pace, but Paper 1 asks you to stay focused for two hours.
3. Maths is the same pace on both boards. The real Maths difference is the calculator rule, not time.

Comparing your scores across boards

Students who use past papers from both boards often draw the wrong conclusion. Here is an original example.

For a step-by-step way to mark and track past papers, see how to use IGCSE past papers, with a 6-week plan.

How to tell which syllabus you are on

Syllabus codes matter more than board names. They appear on your statement of entry and on every past paper.

Pearson’s modular Chemistry route (4XCH1) was first examined in June 2025. It has two unit exams of 1 h 40 min each, available in June and November. If your school mentions “units”, check whether you are on this route, because the paper structure above will not match.

Can you switch boards?

Your school decides which boards it offers, so switching usually means a school decision or entering as a private candidate. In Indonesia, the British Council Indonesia Foundation lists Cambridge IGCSE entries for private candidates; contact it for current series and deadlines.

If you do switch, three steps help:

1. Compare the syllabuses topic by topic. Core topics overlap a lot, but each board has content the other does not. Use the official syllabus documents, not a summary.
2. Learn the new paper style. Cambridge science students moving to Edexcel lose the separate multiple-choice and practical papers. Edexcel students moving to Cambridge must prepare for a practical paper and, in Maths, a non-calculator paper.
3. Practise the new board’s past papers. Command words and mark schemes differ in detail. For Cambridge Chemistry, our guide to answering 0620 long-answer questions shows how marks are awarded.

Which is easier: Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE?

Neither board is officially easier, and we know of no official source that ranks one above the other. A website that says “Edexcel is easier” is giving an opinion. Even some leading comparison pages say the boards are equal and then call one harder a few paragraphs later.

What is true is that they feel different:

• Paper style. Cambridge sciences split the exam into short, focused papers. Edexcel uses two longer mixed papers.
• Tier risk. In Cambridge sciences, a Core entry caps you at C. In Edexcel sciences there is no tier decision, but everyone faces the hardest questions.
• Calculator. Cambridge Maths has a non-calculator paper. Edexcel Maths A does not.
• Practical skills. Cambridge tests them in a separate paper. Edexcel tests them inside the written papers.
• Grades. Edexcel gives 9–1 by default. Cambridge mostly uses A*–G.