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Edexcel 4ET1 is English Literature with set texts, an anthology and a Shakespeare/poetry component. Cambridge 0500 is First Language English - reading and directed writing on unseen non-fiction, with no set literary texts. They are different qualifications, so revise to the specification your school enters you for.
They share the same syllabus content and assessment; 0990 is the 9-1 graded version and 0500 is A*-G. Skills, papers and mark schemes are equivalent - revise identically and check which grading scale your school uses.
It depends on the route. Cambridge 0500/0990 offers an exam-only route and a coursework route; Edexcel 4ET1 is assessed by written examination. Ask your teacher which option your centre has chosen, as it changes how you prepare.
Yes. There are dedicated IGCSE hubs for Pearson Edexcel (4ET1 Literature, 4EA1 Language A) and Cambridge International (0500, 0990), with set-text guides, exam-technique walkthroughs and AI essay marking aligned to each specification.
Components cover the Pearson Poetry Anthology plus prose and drama set texts (commonly including Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Things Fall Apart and a Shakespeare play). Your centre chooses the exact texts, so confirm yours with your teacher before revising.
In Paper 1 (Reading) and Paper 2 (Directed Writing and Composition) you respond to one or two texts in a specified form - a letter, speech, report or article - for a stated audience and purpose. Marks are split between reading (understanding and using the texts) and writing (style, structure and accuracy), so address both deliberately.
It depends on the syllabus your centre enters. Cambridge 0500 and Edexcel 4EA1/4ET1 are typically graded A*-G, while Cambridge 0990/0992 use the 9-1 scale. The teaching content and skills are equivalent across the paired syllabuses - check which code your school uses for grade boundaries.
Yes. Essay feedback is mapped to the relevant IGCSE assessment objectives and band descriptors for your syllabus, with targeted improvement steps. It is AI-assisted revision guidance, not an official Cambridge or Pearson result, and a human-review option is available.
Use the published specimen and assessment materials from the board, practise the exact question types under timed conditions, and self-assess against the mark scheme. Skill drills - directed writing structures, summary technique and analytical paragraphs - transfer across papers even when past-paper supply is limited.
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The 9-1 graded version of Cambridge First Language English. Identical content, papers and assessment objectives to Language A, with results reported on the numerical scale from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest). Popular in UK international schools and IB feeder schools.
IGCSE Language B reports results on the same numerical 9-1 scale used by reformed UK GCSEs, where Grade 9 is the highest and Grade 1 is the lowest pass. The content, papers and assessment objectives are identical to Language A - only the reporting scale changes. Schools choose Language B when they want students' results to align directly with UK GCSE grades for sixth form or university applications.
Above old A*. Awarded to the top performers - roughly the top 4% of entries.
Standard pass - equivalent to the old C grade. Required by many sixth forms.
Lowest pass - equivalent to the old G grade on the legacy scale.
| Grade | Paper 1 (of 80) | Paper 2 (of 80) | A*-G equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 68 | 68 | Above A* |
| 8 | 62 | 62 | A*/A |
| 7 | 55 | 55 | A |
| 6 | 48 | 48 | B |
| 5 | 41 | 41 | B/C |
| 4 | 34 | 34 | C |
Boundaries vary slightly by session. Figures shown are indicative from recent Cambridge series.
Same syllabus, same papers, different grade scale. Understand exactly what changes and what stays the same.
Read moreFull conversion table from the numerical 9-1 grades to the older A*-G scale used for Language A.
Read moreComplete 0990 specification breakdown and assessment objectives.
Read moreTop 4% of entries. Sophisticated analysis, controlled style, original voice and structural craft.
Read guideGrade 7Equivalent to the old A grade. Confident analysis, accurate writing, clear structure throughout.
Read guideGrade 5Strong pass. Clear comprehension, generally accurate writing, some analytical comment.
Read guideFull-length practice papers built around public-domain extracts, mirroring the Language B format and question style. Work under exam conditions and compare your answers with our worked model responses.
Aligns with Cambridge syllabus 0990