Explained
What's the difference between Cambridge and Edexcel exam boards?
Cambridge International (CAIE) and Pearson Edexcel are the two main exam boards that set and mark IGCSE and A-Level qualifications at international schools. Both lead to the same recognised qualifications; they differ in syllabus detail, assessment structure, and exam timing rather than in prestige.
A school chooses which board to enter students for, sometimes mixing boards across subjects. Universities treat both equally — an A* is an A* regardless of board.
Practical differences include modular vs linear assessment options, coursework weighting in some subjects, and exam-session availability. For families, the school's teaching quality matters far more than which board it uses.
Reviewed by Priscilla Han. BrightKey is independent and takes no payment from schools or universities.
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