More schools dump GCSEs in favour of O-level style tests Ministers are alrerady proposing to overhaul of GCSEs and A-levels along similar lines, completely shifting assessment towards exams taken after two-years. Michael O'Sullivan, CIE chief executive, said: "Cambridge IGCSE has grown significantly in popularity over the past few years. "Schools recognise that its linear structure offers rigour and effective preparation for the next stage of their students" education. For sure, they are also mindful of planned educational reforms such as the recently proposed changes to GCSEs and A-levels. These reforms highlight that Cambridge IGCSE is a step ahead of the curve. According to figures, the number of British state schools taking the IGCSE in at least one subject with CIE has almost tripled from 368 in 2012 to 963 this year. A further 376 independent schools will offer the exam this summer - up by nine per cent. The total number of entries for all IGCSE subjects has doubled over the period to more than 115,000 this year, although some subjects are particularly popular. English entries soared almost three-fold from 31,037 to 84,659, while science saw a similar increase from 3,797 to 8,689. More schools and pupils are also taking IGCSEs with the Edexcel Pearson exam board. Total entries in all subjects increased from 77,697 to 99,605 this year. The number of schools - state and independent -entering pupils increased from 1,130 to 1,293. Some schools may run IGCSEs with both boards. The rise in entries can be seen as a partial reflection of last year's grading controversy in conventional GCSEs, although most of entries will relate to 16-year-olds who would have started IGCSE courses two years ago. Tens of thousands of pupils are believed to have missed out on good grades in English GCSEs when exam boards suddenly shifted grade boundaries between exams taken in January and those sat in June. It comes on top of complaints over the exams system going back a number of years, with one study last September claiming that poor quality marking, inconsistencies between competing test boards and wildly fluctuating grade boundaries had eroded confidence in GCSEs. A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We changed the rules in June 2010 so that students in all state schools could sit international GCSEs and it is fantastic to see this reform bearing fruit. All state schools can now offer their pupils the chance to take the same rigorous, internationally-respected qualifications as their peers from top private schools. This huge increase in entries for the international GCSEs clearly shows that tougher, more rigorous examsare exactly what schools and students want. Our reforms to GCSEs are based on exams in the world's best performing nations and will mean they are not only more challenging, but will give all young people the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in further education and employment.