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Excel in iGCSE Spanish with Targeted Practice

Build your iGCSE Spanish skills with practice on grammar, vocabulary, and exam-style questions across all themes.

Content reviewed February 2026 · Aligned to current specifications

About iGCSE Spanish

iGCSE Spanish develops the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish across reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. The Cambridge International syllabus covers practical topics including daily life, education, leisure, travel, work and global issues, using authentic Spanish-language sources from across the Spanish-speaking world.

The assessment includes papers testing receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (writing and speaking). Unlike UK GCSE Spanish, the iGCSE is designed for an international cohort and draws on material from Spain, Latin America and other Spanish-speaking regions. There is no coursework component, and the exam format emphasises both comprehension and the ability to produce Spanish in context.

iGCSE Spanish is recognised worldwide and is excellent preparation for International A-Level Spanish or further language study. Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world, making this qualification particularly useful for students considering careers in international business, diplomacy or development.

Topics Covered

Everyday Activities Personal & Social Life The World Around Us The World of Work Grammar Vocabulary Reading & Writing Listening & Speaking

Exam Boards

iGCSE Spanish is available from these exam boards

How UpGrades Helps

Adaptive Practice

Questions adapt to your level in Spanish, focusing on the topics where you need the most improvement.

Spaced Repetition

Review Spanish topics at optimal intervals to maximise long-term retention for your iGCSE exam.

Progress Tracking

See exactly how you're progressing across all 8 Spanish topics with detailed analytics.

Study Tips for Spanish

  • Expose yourself to both European and Latin American Spanish through media, as iGCSE listening materials may feature speakers from different regions with varying accents.
  • Learn verb conjugations systematically across present, past (preterite and imperfect) and future tenses. Accurate tense use is essential for higher grades in iGCSE Spanish.
  • Build vocabulary around the specific topic areas listed in the syllabus and practice using new words in full sentences rather than learning them in isolation.
  • Practice the speaking exam with a partner or by recording yourself. Focus on developing extended responses with opinions, reasons and examples.

Exam Tips for iGCSE Spanish

  • In reading comprehension, watch for false friends (words that look similar in English but mean something different in Spanish). These are commonly used as distractors in iGCSE papers.
  • For writing tasks, include a range of grammatical structures - subordinate clauses, different tenses and subjunctive if possible - to access the highest mark bands.
  • In the listening exam, write down key words as you hear them even if you cannot immediately answer the question. Your notes may help you piece together the answer on the second hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered in iGCSE Spanish? +
The syllabus covers everyday topics including personal identity, house and home, school and education, free time, travel and holidays, work and employment, health and fitness, the environment and media. The exact topic list is defined in the Cambridge International syllabus guide.
Is iGCSE Spanish harder than GCSE Spanish? +
The difficulty level is comparable, but the international context means iGCSE Spanish may include a broader range of accents and cultural references from across the Spanish-speaking world. The assessment structure also differs from UK boards.
Which tenses do I need for iGCSE Spanish? +
You need present, preterite (simple past), imperfect, near future and simple future tenses as a minimum. To access the highest grades, you should also demonstrate use of the conditional and, ideally, the present subjunctive.

Spanish at other levels: GCSE Spanish · A-Level Spanish

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