IGCSE English as a Second Language: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
Preparing for your IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL) exam can feel daunting. You are not just learning grammar
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
Announcement:
Cambridge International Education no longer be an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation from December 20, 2024.
Thousands of learners use Cambridge International AS & A Level every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide. Students develop a deep understanding of subjects, as well as independent learning and constructive thinking skills － abilities which universities value highly.
Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically one year.
Learners have the freedom to take Cambridge International AS Levels as qualifications in their own right, or as part of a progression to Cambridge International A Level. Learners can study for AS Level alongside A Level subjects to increase breadth in the curriculum and to build further knowledge and understanding.
The curricula are flexible. Learners can take almost any combination of 55 subjects. Learners can specialise or study a range of subjects, ensuring breadth.
Below are the Subject Groups for 55 subjects:
Learners use Cambridge International AS & A Levels to gain places at leading universities worldwide including in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels are viewed as equivalent to the AS and A Levels taken by learners in the UK, and are accepted for entrance to all UK universities.
In places such as the United States and Canada, good grades in carefully chosen Cambridge International A Level subjects can result in up to one year of university course credit.
Over 500 US universities accept Cambridge International AS & A Levels, including all Ivy League and Ivy Plus universities. These universities include Brown, Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Yale.
Research carried out* looked at whether Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepared learners for continued studies in colleges and universities in the US, as well as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programmes. The findings suggest that Cambridge quali cations compare favourably with the other programmes.
<* Published in the Journal of College Admission (Number 213, Fall 2011)>
Learners receive a separate grade for each subject that he/she takes.
Cambridge International A Levels are graded from A* – E. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for an E grade at A Level may be awarded a compensatory AS Level.
Cambridge International AS Levels are graded from a to e. Candidates who do not obtain enough marks for grade e at AS Level will be ungraded.
The Cambridge AICE Diploma is a group certificate which requires learners to study subjects drawn from three curriculum areas within AS and A Level: mathematics and science, languages, and arts and humanities.
Learners can choose from a range of assessment options:
Option one
Take the AS Level only. The AS Level syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
Option two**
Take a ‘staged assessment route’ – take the AS Level in one examination series and complete the final A Level in a subsequent series.
(** The staged assessment route is not possible in all subjects. The outcomes awarded for Cambridge International AS Level language syllabuses cannot be carried forward to Cambridge International A Level.)
Option three
Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination series, usually at the end of the course.
Our valuable A* resources had produced thousands of A* scorers around the world. Check them out below.
Our internationally loved exam model answers had helped thousands of students in scoring A/A*. Schools and teachers worldwide have used these resources to aid in their teachings. Learn what an A* answer like, copy the style and score A* in your exam.
Our word-renowned IGCSE and AS/A Level courses had produced more than 1100 A/A* scorers worldwide. They are suitable for schooled or home-schooled candidates, and as full course or revision course.
We have the most complete past exam papers library on earth (no kidding!). Choose your exam board and download everything with one click.
Get the latest exam syllabus and plan your study accordingly.
Find out the exam registration and results released key dates for IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Check your administrative zone, the exam dates and time. For both IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Find and locate the nearest exam centre for your location.
Please kindly read the AS & A Level FAQs here.
Note: CIE (Cambridge International Examination board) has its name changed to CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) since October 2017.
In October 2023, CAIE updated its name, logo, look, and messaging. Cambridge International Education is the new name of the awarding body of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This name will be used on materials related to administering exams and awarding qualifications.
Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who've taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
Join 62,169 (and counting) IGCSE & AS/A Level subscribers who’ve taken our insanely valuable FREE email courses. Learn exam tips & score A* in your exam!
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86 responses
Hey, isn’t there government & politics as an option?
Hi Liz,
These are all the available syllabus under AS & A-Level programme. If you wish you to request for new subjects, please kindly contact CAIE directly. You may reach them through their website: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/. Thank you.
Hi,
This is for my friend. It’s regarding AS level exam 2020. Is it possible to write Physics and Chem in May/June and Math in Oct/Nov. Please reply as as soon as possible .
Hi Saritha,
Yes, your friend may take Physics and Chemistry during the June exam series and Mathematics on November exam series. We do suggest that they only register when they’re ready. Furthermore, they may also get the final confirmation from their school, if they are schooled students. Alternatively, they may register as private candidates.
Please kindly find out the key dates here: https://www.skolatis.com/exam-registration-dates/
Im in Zimbabwe and would like to know the benefits of A level over AS or vice versa if any. Does one need to write both or you can pick either? . Which one is needed for admission into uni’s?.Kindly assist so i make an informed decision.
Thank you
Faith
Hello Faith,
There are different assessment options to gain Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications:
1. Take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
AS Level syllabuses are designed on the assumption that students have about 180 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally one year).
2. Take a ‘staged’ assessment route (A2) – take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series.
AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.
3. Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course.
The whole A Level syllabuses are designed on the assumption that students have approximately 360 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course (normally two years). For private candidate, the hours could be different depending on the number of hours spent on studying.
Students typically study four subjects at AS-level and three subjects at A-level. The standard admission requirement for UK universities is three A-level subjects.
If you have further questions, do not hesitate to write again.
I have a really burning question.
If my students sat for AS Business 9609 in November 2019 and scored an F or an E…..and now in 2020, they would like to sit for A2 (paper 3 ) this Nov 2020. Is that permitted? What if they choose to write A2(paper 3 ) in May/June 2021?
Hello Samson,
Please kindly read CAIE’s statement regarding carrying forward marks: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/news/news-details/view/update-for-cambridge-schools-on-june-2020-series-22-april-2020/
Furthermore, we suggest that you write to CAIE directly. You may reach them through their website: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/
Hi,I am kamala krishnan from India.I am getting ready to face my AS level examination in the May/June series 2020.I have selected to write accounting,business,economics,english general paper and IT.We do not have any teachers for accounting and business.Do you have any websites which gives useful learning skills that can help in my exams ?.It will be very useful for all the our classmates in my class.Please considerthe above message.Waiting for your reply
Hi Kamala,
We suggest that you download the Examiner’s Report here: https://www.skolatis.com/as-a-level-past-exam-papers/. It will give you additional insights on how to structure your response properly and learn from the common mistakes students make.
Here are some tips for you:
Accounting:
– You should show your workings for computational questions. You will not get credit for partially correct answers if workings are not shown.
– You should make sure that you provide sufficient development to your answers. One or two word answers will seldom suffice.
– You must develop greater analytical skills and learn to extract information from scenarios to make your answers relevant.
– Marks are frequently awarded for the correct entry, this being the value with correct terminology/narrative. This applies across the different statements such as ledger accounts and financial statements.
Business:
– Read and interpret questions carefully before commencing an answer.
– Spend an appropriate amount of time determining which essay question to select in Section B of the paper. Effective responses require sound understanding of the business concepts associated with particular questions.
– Application marks in section B can only be awarded if candidates address the particular context given in a question. This can be specific such as examples. You must do more than merely repeat words that are in the question as this will not count as application and will limit the number of marks awarded.
– Analysis marks in Section B are awarded when candidates have clearly gone beyond making a brief statement or description and have assessed the impact of any point made.
– In order to access evaluation marks candidates need to make a critical comment or counter argument rather than a summary that repeats what they have already said. Evaluation occurs when a judgement has been made on the evidence presented.
Hope this helps.
Hi There
I have 2 questions:
Firstly, is it mandatory to do IGCSE before doing AS for any subjects?
The second is, if I fail a subject at IGCSE, will I be excluded from being allowed to write the AS exam for that subject?
Thank you.
Hi Safron,
To answer your questions,
First, you must take IGCSE or equivalent qualification (e.g. O-level) before you can proceed to AS or A-Levels.
Second, the subjects you take in IGCSE is affecting what subjects you could take in AS or A Level. We strongly suggest you visit the colleges/school’s website to find out what are the minimum grades and subjects that you need in order to get an admission into their AS or A Level courses.