The examination consists of two papers or one paper and a coursework portfolio with an optional component on speaking and listening.

Take either	Or
Paper 1: Reading Passage (Core)Eligible for Grades C–G. 50% of total marks.	Paper 2: Reading Passages (Extended)Eligible for Grades A*–E. 50% of total marks.
And either	Or
Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition (Core and Extended)Eligible for all grades 50% of total marks.	Coursework Portfolio (Core and Extended)Eligible for all grades 50% of total marks.
Optional	Optional
Speaking and listening	Speaking and listening coursework

Paper 1: Reading passage (Core)

Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Complete this paper or paper 2. Questions are set on one passage of approximately 700–800 words which is printed on the question paper.

Question 1 (30 marks)

This question is divided into a series of sub-questions requiring answers of different lengths. The sub-questions are based on the passage provided on the question paper, and tests reading objectives R1-R4 (30 marks).

Question 2 (20 marks)

Candidates respond to the passage printed on the question paper. The question tests reading objectives R1-R3 (10 marks) and writing objectives W1-W5 (10 marks).

Paper 2: Reading passages (Extended)

Time: 2 hours

Complete this paper or paper 1. Questions are set on two passages of approximately 600–700 words each, linked by a common theme.

Question 1 (20 marks)

This question refers to Passage 1 only and may be sub-divided. The question tests reading objectives R1-R3 (15 marks) and writing objectives W1-W5 (5 marks).

Question 2 (10 marks)

This question refers to Passage 1 only and may be sub-divided. The question tests reading objective R4 (10 marks).

Question 3 (20 marks)

This question may be sub-divided. Candidates summarise material in each of the passages.

The question tests reading objectives R1-R3 (15 marks) and writing objectives W1-W5 (5 marks).

Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition (Core and Extended)

Time: 2 hours

Complete this paper or the coursework portfolio. This paper is divided into two sections.

Section 1 – Directed Writing (25 marks)

Candidates read one or more short texts which are printed on the question paper.

They are then asked to use and develop the given information in another form, e.g. a letter, a report, a speech, or a dialogue. The question tests reading objectives R1-R3 (10 marks) and writing objectives W1-W5 (15 marks).

Section 2 – Composition (25 marks)

At least two argumentative/discursive, two descriptive, and two narrative titles will be set. Candidates write on one title only, and write between 350 and 450 words. The question tests writing objectives W1-W5 (25 marks).

Coursework Portfolio (Core and Extended)

Complete this portfolio or paper 3. Candidates submit a portfolio of three assignments, each of about 500–800 words. The assignments may be done in any order.

Assignment 1: informative, analytical and/or argumentative.

Examples: a logbook/diary giving information on what was done during two days of a work experience or an activity weekend (i.e. writing to inform) or an argument from an informed, personal viewpoint about a topical issue, e.g. arguing against the ill-treatment of prisoners (i.e. writing to persuade)

Assignment 2: imaginative, descriptive and/or narrative.

Examples: a detailed description of the people who frequent a local shop, and the atmosphere of the shop or a story about internet hacking, demonstrating the candidate’s understanding of how to create character, significant events and structure (such as climax or an unusual ending) (i.e. writing to entertain). Candidates may submit poetry for Assignment 2, but this must be accompanied by some form of commentary by the candidate, e.g. about how the poem(s) came to be written.

Assignment 3: a response to a text or texts chosen by the Centre.

The text(s) should contain facts, opinions and arguments. Candidates respond to the text(s) by selecting, analysing and evaluating points from the material (reading objectives R1–R3). They may write in any appropriate form they wish.

Examples: Analyse and evaluate the information and views in a series of letters on proposals for a new development in the locality and write an article based on them for the newspaper, or evaluate a magazine article advocating for the culling of an animal that has become a nuisance and write an article in response or a letter to the author.

The final mark for the Coursework Portfolio will be out of 50. The Coursework Portfolio tests writing objectives W1-W5 (40 marks). For Assignment 3 only, an additional 10 marks are available for reading objectives R1–R3. Work may be hand-written or word-processed.

Speaking and Listening (Optional)

There is no question paper for the Speaking and Listening test. The final mark for Speaking and Listening is out of 30. This section is optional. There are two parts to the test, an individual task and discussion.

Part 1 – Individual Task (3–4 minutes) (10 marks)

For example, a presentation, a talk, a speech, or a monologue (e.g. the candidate talks about his or her reactions to meeting a famous person; the candidate talks about a recent film he or she has seen and suggests why others would also like it). The candidate talks for about 3–4 minutes on a single topic or theme which they have selected by prior to the test. The Individual Task tests speaking objectives S1-S4 (10 marks).

Part 2 – Discussion (6–7 minutes) (20 marks)

The Individual Task leads into a conversation with the teacher/examiner about the candidate’s chosen topic (e.g. an account of meeting a famous person could be developed into a discussion of wider issues such as the nature and role of ‘celebrity’ and media intrusion; a talk about a film could be developed into discussion of wider issues such as censorship, popular culture, and the film industry). The discussion tests speaking objectives S1-S5 (20 marks).

Speaking and Listening Coursework (optional)

Candidates are assessed on their performance during the course in three different speaking and listening tasks. The final mark for Speaking and Listening Coursework is out of 30. This section is optional.

Task 1 – An individual activity

For example, the candidate talks about his or her favourite hobby; the candidate describes a place that he or she has visited and enjoyed.

Task 2 – A pair-based activity

For example, two candidates role-play an argument between two neighbours; the teacher interviews two candidates about how something at school could be improved.

Task 3 – A group activity

For example, candidates discuss in a group who to invite (and why) to open the new local shopping centre; in a parole board scenario, the teacher presents cases for prisoners, and candidates discuss in a group whether or not each case merits early release.

Tasks are equally weighted in the final assessment. Task 1 tests speaking objectives S1-S4, and tasks 2 and 3 test speaking objectives S1-S5.