Cambridge IGCSE Arabic as a First Language (0508): syllabus, papers and marking

The Gulf’s mother-tongue Arabic paper, now with a graded grammar section. Comprehension is marked against the points, the writing in bands for content, structure and accuracy.

Syllabus for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (revised: Paper 1 now has comprehension, grammar and directed writing) · June and November series · grades A*–G

Arabic as a First Language 0508: where the marks go

First Language Arabic 0508 is two 50-mark papers of 2 hours each. From 2027 Paper 1 is Reading and Directed Writing: comprehension and use of language on a fiction text (21 marks), a new grammar section (9 marks) and a directed writing task on two non-fiction texts (20 marks), which replaces the old summary. Paper 2 is Writing.

Our papers follow the revised format with original texts. Comprehension is marked against the points, the grammar section item by item, and the writing in bands for content, structure and accuracy.

How we mark a real script

Paper structure and what we mark

PaperTimeMarksWeightQuestions
Paper 1 — Reading and Directed Writing2 h5050%Comprehension and use of language on a fiction text (21 marks), grammar (9 marks) and a directed writing task on two non-fiction texts (20 marks)
Paper 2 — Writing2 h5050%Composition tasks

Syllabus outline

  1. Comprehension: explicit and implicit meaning (R1, R2)
  2. Use of language: figurative language, the writer’s choices and their effect (R4)
  3. Grammar: Arabic sentence structure, word patterns and fundamentals (R6)
  4. Directed writing: email, report, article or speech from two non-fiction texts (R3, R5, W1–W5)
  5. Paper 2 Writing: composition tasks

How each paper is marked here

Where Arabic as a First Language 0508 candidates lose marks

  1. Lifting whole sentences from the text — Copied answers were common in the comprehension and the summary.
  2. Key words from the question missing from the answer — The idea was right but the key phrase was left out.
  3. Conjunctions used interchangeably — و and ف treated as synonyms.
  4. Verb conjugation and agreement — Subject-verb agreement was a repeated weak point.
  5. Colloquial wording and literal translation — Declining, but still seen in writing.

Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 0508

See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.

Questions teachers ask

What changed in 2027?
Paper 1 has a grammar section and a directed writing task in place of the summary; the paper is still 50 marks.
Is 7184 (9–1) covered?
No. 7184 is a separate 9–1 syllabus withdrawn after November 2026.
Is Arabic as a Foreign Language covered too?
Yes, on its own page (0544).
Is this official Cambridge marking?
No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 0508. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
No. Every 0508 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (revised: paper 1 now has comprehension, grammar and directed writing), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
Which papers are marked?
None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
How is the next paper chosen?
From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
When are the exams?
June and November series. Grades A*–G.

Other Cambridge IGCSE courses

Start marking Arabic as a First Language scripts · See a real marked script