Cambridge O Level Urdu as a Second Language (3248): syllabus, papers and marking

The Urdu paper most Pakistani O Level candidates take. Reading exercises are marked against the points scheme; writing and translation in Urdu are marked in levels, with the band descriptor quoted next to each mark.

Syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 structure unchanged) · June and November series · grades A*–E

Urdu as a Second Language 3248: where the marks go

O Level Urdu Second Language 3248 is the Urdu paper most Pakistani O Level candidates take. Both papers are written entirely in Urdu, dictionaries are not allowed, and two thirds of the marks are for writing. Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes, 50 marks) has five exercises: short answers, multiple matching, note-making, a summary of up to 100 words and a functional piece of about 150 words. Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks) has four: sentence transformation, a multiple-choice cloze, about 200 words of extended writing and a translation of about 150 words from English into Urdu.

The matching and cloze exercises have right answers; the rest is judged on how clearly, accurately and appropriately the student writes. We set original texts and tasks for each exercise type and mark the writing against the criteria the syllabus names, rather than giving a single impression mark. Marking rubrics for written Urdu are still being built.

How we mark a real script

Paper structure and what we mark

PaperTimeMarksWeightQuestions
Paper 1 — Reading and Writing1 h 45 min5050%Five compulsory exercises: short answers, multiple matching, note-making, 100-word summary, 150-word functional writing
Paper 2 — Grammar, Writing and Translation1 h 30 min5050%Four compulsory exercises: sentence transformation, multiple-choice cloze, 200-word extended writing, English-to-Urdu translation of about 150 words

Syllabus outline

  1. Paper 1 Exercise 1: Short-answer questions on a short text (advertisement, leaflet, report, article)
  2. Paper 1 Exercise 2: Multiple matching
  3. Paper 1 Exercise 3: Note-making from a longer text
  4. Paper 1 Exercise 4: Summary in no more than 100 words, in own words
  5. Paper 1 Exercise 5: Functional writing of about 150 words (for example an email)
  6. Paper 2 Exercise 1: Sentence transformation
  7. Paper 2 Exercise 2: Multiple-choice cloze on grammar in context
  8. Paper 2 Exercise 3: Extended writing of about 200 words
  9. Paper 2 Exercise 4: Translation of about 150 words from English into Urdu

How each paper is marked here

Where Urdu as a Second Language 3248 candidates lose marks

  1. A summary lifted from the text — The summary exercise asks for the student’s own words as far as possible. Copying sentences from the passage shows reading but earns little of the writing marks.
  2. Right content, wrong register or format — The functional piece and the extended writing both specify a purpose, a format and an audience. A friendly note where a formal letter was asked for, or a missing opening or closing, loses the style mark even when the ideas are good.
  3. Agreement errors in verbs, gender and postpositions — The cloze and the writing marks both depend on verb and subject agreement, gender, number and the correct postposition. These recur across the paper, so one weakness costs marks in several places.
  4. Translation done word for word — English-to-Urdu translation scores for natural, accurate Urdu that carries the meaning of each sentence. Following English word order produces awkward or incorrect Urdu.
  5. Spelling and punctuation left to chance — Control of spelling and punctuation is one of the five writing criteria. Missing full stops and run-on sentences cost marks on each writing exercise.

Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 3248

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

Questions teachers ask

Can a student take both Urdu First Language and Second Language?
No. Cambridge does not allow 3248 to be combined with O Level First Language Urdu 3247 or with IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language 0539 in the same series.
Which series is it offered in?
Both June and November, though it is not available in every administrative zone.
Is the structure changing in 2027?
The 2027–2029 syllabus keeps the same two papers of 50 marks each and the same exercises described above.
Is this official Cambridge marking?
No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 3248. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
No. Every 3248 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 structure unchanged), 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*–E.

Other Cambridge O Level courses

Start marking Urdu as a Second Language scripts · See a real marked script