can computer outsmart human being

Report, 60 marks

This component is an internally set assessment, externally marked by Cambridge International. Candidates write an Individual Report on a topic from the topic list.

The Individual Report must be based on one of the topics listed in the syllabus. With the guidance of their teacher, candidates choose one of the specified topics and identify an important or interesting global issue relating to the topic they have chosen. The global issue the candidates choose should be one that divides opinion.

Candidates devise a global research question based on some initial research into the topic and the global issue.

Candidates use this question as the title for their report. The report must be 15002000 words.

In the Individual Report, candidates are assessed on the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection and communication.

Candidates should focus their initial research on identifying and exploring the context of a topic, chosen from the topic list. They should then select a global issue of importance or interest with present-day impacts. The issue chosen could be one that raises an ethical dilemma or causes conflict, damage, difficulty or hardship, or simply leads to disagreement.

Candidates should research a range of different perspectives on the global issue. The focus of the report should be the perspectives of different people, groups or nations. Candidates should formulate a question, based on their initial research, that gives them scope to explore the selected global issue and a range of different perspectives.

Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 15

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives 0457 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Details of the assessment

The perspectives researched, explored and presented should include:

  • local and/or national perspectives
  • and global perspectives.
  • At each level, different perspectives could be included. For example, at the local level the report could include
  • the different perspectives of local farmers and local politicians.
  • Candidates should engage with these perspectives and demonstrate that they understand the arguments, reasoning or claims upon which these perspectives are based. Candidates should also demonstrate that they understand why different people have different perspectives.
  • Candidates should analyse the issue by considering the reasons for conflict or disagreement/causes of problems and the consequences/impacts of the issue. Candidates should consider different possible courses of action. Drawing on their analysis of the issue, they should propose a single course of action to change, improve or resolve the issue.
  • The Individual Report should be presented as a structured essay of 15002000 words. This word count does not include the bibliography or reference list.
  • The essay should start by explaining the issue researched so that it is clear it has some global impact, even if it has different impacts in different places or for different people. It should also be clear what the different perspectives are. These do not have to be opposing perspectives but they must be clearly different.
  • Causes and consequences of the issue should be presented and analysed in depth. Different courses of action should be considered, and one chosen as most appropriate or effective. The chosen course of action should be described in detail, with an explanation of how it could be implemented and what its impact would be.
  • The candidate should explicitly cite all material used in the essay, with a clear referencing system. There is no preferred method of referencing, but it is important for candidates to understand that when they use others ideas or information, they should make this clear to the reader.
  • Candidates should evaluate the evidence presented and their sources, explaining their value to the research and whether or not the sources are reliable and credible.
  • Candidates should present their own view on the whole issue, reflecting on:
  • their research findings
  • their learning
  • others perspectives.
  • They should conclude by answering their own question.

Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 16

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives 0457 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Details of the assessment

Individual Report: the role of the teacher

The Individual Report must be the candidates own work. It is the teachers responsibility to ensure that the candidates proposed work will be feasible in terms of access to relevant information and manageable in terms of size of workload.

Teachers should guide and support each candidate to:

  • understand that they must work independently to produce an essay presenting their research and their thoughts on an issue of their own choice
  • identify a suitable area for research, fitting their own interest, enthusiasm and skills and giving scope for different perspectives
  • formulate a global research question focused on an issue that attracts different perspectives
  • develop research and organisational skills
  • select, cite and reference sources appropriately
  • refine report writing skills so that they cover all the required criteria within the 15002000 word count
  • appreciate how their work will be assessed, understanding that the assessment is externally marked and is not assessed by their teachers.
  • Teachers should:
  • help resolve any problems encountered during research
  • give regular and supportive feedback to maintain the candidates momentum and motivation
  • provide opportunities for candidates to work independently using reference materials as appropriate
  • monitor candidates time management throughout the process and assist candidates to meet deadlines.
  • Teachers may carry out all the above with the class as a whole, in small focus groups and with individual candidates. It is recommended that all three approaches are used.
  • Once the candidate starts to research and write their report, in the ways set out above, the teacher should not intervene and should not attempt to change the direction of the research. Teachers should follow the instructions for supervising coursework.
  • Supervising coursework
  • Coursework must be a candidates own unaided work. The teacher must be able to authenticate that the work is the candidates own.
  • A general discussion on the progress of coursework is a natural part of the teachercandidate relationship, as it is for other parts of the course. Candidates can revise their work following feedback, but teachers should only give brief summative comments on progress.
  • Teachers can support candidates by reviewing their work before it is handed in for final assessment. Teachers can do this orally or through written feedback. Teachers should not correct or edit draft coursework. Advice should be kept at a general level so that the candidate leads the discussion and makes the suggestions for any amendments. Teachers must not give detailed advice to individual candidates or groups of candidates on how their work can be improved to meet the assessment criteria.
  • For further information about supervising coursework, see the Cambridge Handbook for the relevant year of assessment at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 17

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives 0457 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Details of the assessment

Authenticity and academic honesty

It is the centres responsibility to make sure all assessed work is the candidates original work. Candidates must not submit someone elses work as their own, or use material produced by someone else without citing and referencing it properly. You should make candidates aware of the academic conventions governing quotation and reference to the work of others, and teach candidates how to use them.

A candidate taking someone elses work or ideas and passing them off as their own is an example of plagiarism. It is your responsibility as a teacher to prevent plagiarism from happening and to detect it if it does happen. For more information, search for Preventing plagiarism guidance for teachers on our website at www.cambridgeinternational.org/teachingandassessment

You will be requested to declare the authenticity of the work at the point of submitting the work. Administration of coursework

Using the samples database

The samples database refers you to key information about administering coursework, speaking tests and examined coursework for each syllabus.

Use the database to find out:

when and how to submit your candidates work.

The samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples will ask you for:

  • your country/territory
  • the syllabus code (i.e. 0457 for this syllabus).
  • The database will then take you to the information you need, including dates and methods of submission of
  • candidates marks and work, as well as any forms you may need to complete.
  • Recording and submitting candidates work
  • Please refer to the samples database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples for information, dates and methods of submission of candidates work. You should follow the instructions for Component 2 Individual Report on the samples database.

Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 18

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives 0457 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Details of the assessment

WRITE MY PAPER