Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge International Education is part of the University of Cambridge, UK. It designs the curriculum, trains teachers and conducts the board examinations for schools that follow the Cambridge programme. More than 10,000 schools in over 160 countries follow it, so your child learns to the same standard as students around the world.

IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is the Cambridge board exam taken at the end of Grade 10, usually at age 15–16. In India it plays the same role as the Class 10 board exam in CBSE or the State Board. It is the most widely taken international qualification for this age group.

No. IGCSE is one stage of a full pathway that starts in kindergarten: Early Years (Pre-KG to Sr. KG), Primary (Grades 1–5), Lower Secondary (Grades 6–8), Upper Secondary / IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and AS & A Level (Grades 11–12). At Golden Gates Earth School your child can follow this pathway all the way through. See the Cambridge Pathway for details of each stage.

AS and A Levels are the Cambridge qualifications for Grades 11 and 12, the equivalent of Class 11 and 12 (Higher Secondary). Students usually take AS Level exams at the end of Grade 11 and complete the full A Level at the end of Grade 12. Students pick a small set of subjects and go into them in depth, which universities value highly.

Not at all. Many families choose Cambridge because of how their child will learn: through understanding, enquiry and application instead of rote memorisation. Cambridge qualifications are recognised by Indian universities as well as by universities abroad, so the choice keeps every door open.

Many IGCSE subjects are offered at two levels: Core and Extended. A student can take Extended Mathematics and Core Science, for example, so each child is challenged at the right level in each subject. With small classes, teachers can also adapt to each child's pace.

The aim is the opposite. Learning is spread across the two years, and many subjects include practicals, coursework or oral components alongside the written papers, so a single exam day does not decide everything. Our approach is learner-centred, and we focus on steady understanding instead of last-minute cramming.

We do not recommend tuition or coaching centres that push learners to memorise concepts by rote. The Cambridge approach works best when children engage deeply in class, ask questions and practise independently. If your child needs extra help, our teachers and Student Support team will work with you.

Both are respected boards; they differ mainly in approach. CBSE follows a fixed national syllabus built around NCERT textbooks, with a strong focus on content coverage and the final board exam. Cambridge IGCSE gives students more subject choice and puts more weight on application, analysis and practical skills. See the comparison table below this section for a side-by-side view.

It is different, not simply harder or easier. CBSE often asks students to cover a wide syllabus and recall it accurately. IGCSE often goes deeper into fewer topics and asks students to explain, analyse and apply. Children who enjoy understanding why things work usually do very well in IGCSE.

The Tamil Nadu State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) follows a state-prescribed syllabus and exam pattern designed for Tamil Nadu. Cambridge IGCSE follows an international syllabus, offers wider subject choice and uses international assessment standards. Both are recognised for higher studies in India.

Yes. Students join us from other boards at various grades. The easiest points to switch are at the start of a stage, such as Grade 6, Grade 9 or Grade 11. Our teachers help new students settle into the Cambridge way of learning. Please talk to us about your child's grade and background.

Yes. Cambridge IGCSE is recognised as equivalent to Class 10, so students can apply for Class 11 in CBSE or State Board schools. Admission depends on the policy of the receiving school, which may ask for an equivalence certificate.

Yes. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognises Cambridge IGCSE as equivalent to Class 10 and Cambridge A Levels as equivalent to Class 12 for admission to Indian universities, provided the student has the required subject combination. We guide students on subject choices so that this requirement is met.

Yes. Students who complete Cambridge A Levels can sit national entrance exams such as JEE and NEET, as long as they have studied the required subjects (for example Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology, plus English). Eligibility rules are set by the exam authorities and can change, so always check the current official information bulletin. The A Level science and mathematics syllabus covers much of the same ground, but entrance exams have their own format, so students aiming for them should plan focused practice. We are happy to talk this through with you.

Yes. Cambridge students go on to universities across India. Universities use their own conversion methods to compare Cambridge grades with percentage-based marks, and this is a routine part of admissions for Cambridge students.

Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels are among the most widely accepted school qualifications for university admission in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Europe and elsewhere. Strong A Level results can also earn credit or advanced standing at some universities.

At Golden Gates Earth School, Grade 9–10 students choose from subjects including English, Mathematics, Sciences (Combined, Coordinated or individual Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Global Perspectives, Computer Science / ICT, Accounting / Business, Psychology, Tamil / Hindi / French, Drama and Art & Design. See Upper Secondary for details.

Assessment depends on the subject and may include written papers, practical exams, coursework, and listening or speaking tests. Final exams are set and marked by Cambridge, so the standard is the same for every student worldwide. Throughout the year, our teachers also use regular classroom assessments to track progress. Read more on Assessments & Examinations.

Cambridge IGCSE results are reported as grades from A* (highest) to G; some syllabuses use a 9–1 scale instead. Core-level papers lead to grades C–G, while Extended-level papers allow students to reach A*. A Levels are graded A* to E.

In India, Cambridge holds exam series in March, June and November. The school will tell families which series their child's group will sit, along with the timetable, well in advance.

We offer the full Cambridge pathway, from Early Years (Pre-KG) through Primary, Lower Secondary and IGCSE (Grades 9–10) to Cambridge AS & A Level (Grades 11–12).

Our campus is at the foothills of Yercaud in Salem, Tamil Nadu. School buses cover several routes in and around Salem. See Transport for bus routes.

Admissions for the 2026–2027 academic year, for all grades from Pre-KG to Grade 11 (Cambridge AS Level), open online on Vijayadashami, Tuesday 20 October 2026. Visit the Admissions page for details.

Of course. Call us on +91 96777 44751, email admin@ggearthschool.edu.in, or take our virtual tour. We are always happy to meet parents and answer their questions.