IGCSE First Language English Exam Overview

What is IGCSE First Language English?

IGCSE First Language is an examination provided for students in international schools by the University of Cambridge International Examinations in the UK. It is targeted at students in the eleventh grade in their schools and provides a qualification which is recognized as providing evidence of competence in English for students who wish to study at universities in English-speaking countries. Students examination papers are marked in the UK by experienced examiners in order to ensure comparability of standards across the world and to validate the award of a CIE approved certificate. It is expected that all students entering the examination, regardless of level, should use English regularly in both speaking and writing.

What does the examination consist of?

The examination tests both reading and writing skills at the Core and Extended levels. At Birralee we only offer the Extended level examination which consists of Paper 2 (Extended) and Paper 3. Paper 2 tests both reading and writing at the Extended level. Paper 3 tests directed writing and composition. Each component is worth 50 per cent of the whole examination. Paper 2 (Extended) This paper lasts 2 hours. The student will have to read two passages, each of 600-700 words in length; there will be a common theme to the passages but they may be different types of writing (for example fiction and non-fiction). Question 1 may be subdivided and will test the students understanding of Passage 1 only. Question 1 is worth a total of 20 marks: 15 marks will be awarded for reading skills and 5 marks for writing. Question 2 which is worth 10 marks will also be based on Passage 1 only and will test the students understanding of how writers achieve their effects. Question 3 may also be sub-divided and will require the student to write a summary of some of the points included in both passages. This is worth a total of 20 marks (15 for reading and 5 for writing). Paper 3 This paper lasts two hours. It tests both directed writing and composition skills. It is divided into two sections. Section 1 is worth 25 marks (15 for writing and 10 for reading) and consists of a directed writing task based on one or more short texts printed on the question paper. The student will be required to use and develop the given information in another form. Section 2 is the composition task. The student will be offered a choice of essay titles covering a range of different writing genres (such as descriptive or argumentative). The student must write on only one of them and he/she is advised to write 350-450 words. The composition will be marked out of a total of 25. This comprises two different marks: a maximum of 12 marks will be available for style and accuracy and a maximum of 13 marks for content and structure.

Students can view or check-out copies of past papers in the Year 11 classroom.