Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500): examiner-style marking and a new paper for every student

Reading marked against the points scheme; writing in levels for content and for style and accuracy separately, with the band descriptor quoted next to the mark.

Syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 keeps the marks and timings; Paper 1 becomes four compulsory questions) · June and November series · grades A*–G

Paper structure and what we mark

PaperTimeMarksWeightQuestions
Paper 1 — Reading2 h8050%Comprehension, summary and extended-response questions on three texts
Paper 2 — Directed Writing and Composition2 h8050%One extended directed-writing task and one composition

Topics

Questions teachers ask

Is this official Cambridge marking?
No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 0500, and you approve every mark before a student sees it.
Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
No. Every 0500 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 keeps the marks and timings; paper 1 becomes four compulsory questions), 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 First Language English scripts · Ask for a sample paper