Cambridge IGCSE Language BExplainer

Language A vs Language B: the only thing that changes is the grade

If you've been told to revise for one and then found the other in your exam entry, relax. Cambridge IGCSE Language A and Language B First Language English are the same syllabus, same papers, same questions. The only difference is how your final result is reported: 9-1 for Language B, A*-G for Language A.

In one sentence

Language B = Language A + 9-1 grading. Same content. Same papers. Same mark scheme. Only the grades on your certificate change.

Cambridge designed Language B for schools that wanted alignment with the reformed UK GCSE numerical system introduced in England in 2017. The specification document for Language B is almost word-for-word identical to Language A.

What is exactly the same

Syllabus contentIdentical - same reading and writing skills taught
PapersPaper 1 Reading (2h) and Paper 2 Writing (2h)
Assessment objectivesReading skills, Writing skills - same weighting
Marks per paper80 marks per paper, 160 total
Question stylesComprehension, language analysis, summary, directed writing, composition
Examiner training & standardisationSame Cambridge examiners mark both Language A and Language B

What actually changes

Grading scale

Language A: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G

Language B: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Reporting

Language A: Letter grades on certificate

Language B: Numerical grades aligned with reformed UK GCSE

Top grade

Language A: A* (approximately 75%+)

Language B: 9 (approximately 85%+ - more selective)

Typical use

Language A: International schools reporting in A*-G

Language B: UK international schools, IB feeder schools reporting in 9-1

What this means for your revision

Use Language A resources freely. Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for Language A are valid revision material for Language B candidates - the questions and mark schemes are interchangeable.
Target by grade, not by letter. Use our 9-1 conversion table to translate any A*-G advice into the grade you're aiming for.
Grade 9 is harder than A*. On the 9-1 scale the top grade is more selective. If you were aiming for A*, aim now for a strong 8 or 9 - read our Grade 9 guide.
Check your exam entry. Your school will have entered you for either Language A or Language B. It determines what appears on the certificate, not what you need to know.

Keep going

Dig into the detail of the syllabus, the papers or how to target a specific grade.

9-1 grade conversion Paper 1 Reading

Back to IGCSE Language B hub

Cambridge IGCSE Language BExplainer

Language A vs Language B: the only thing that changes is the grade

In one sentence

Language B = Language A + 9-1 grading. Same content. Same papers. Same mark scheme. Only the grades on your certificate change.

What is exactly the same

Syllabus contentIdentical - same reading and writing skills taught
PapersPaper 1 Reading (2h) and Paper 2 Writing (2h)
Assessment objectivesReading skills, Writing skills - same weighting
Marks per paper80 marks per paper, 160 total
Question stylesComprehension, language analysis, summary, directed writing, composition
Examiner training & standardisationSame Cambridge examiners mark both Language A and Language B

What actually changes

Grading scale

Language A: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G

Language B: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Reporting

Language A: Letter grades on certificate

Language B: Numerical grades aligned with reformed UK GCSE

Top grade

Language A: A* (approximately 75%+)

Language B: 9 (approximately 85%+ - more selective)

Typical use

Language A: International schools reporting in A*-G

Language B: UK international schools, IB feeder schools reporting in 9-1

What this means for your revision

Use Language A resources freely. Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports for Language A are valid revision material for Language B candidates - the questions and mark schemes are interchangeable.
Target by grade, not by letter. Use our 9-1 conversion table to translate any A*-G advice into the grade you're aiming for.
Grade 9 is harder than A*. On the 9-1 scale the top grade is more selective. If you were aiming for A*, aim now for a strong 8 or 9 - read our Grade 9 guide.
Check your exam entry. Your school will have entered you for either Language A or Language B. It determines what appears on the certificate, not what you need to know.

Keep going

Dig into the detail of the syllabus, the papers or how to target a specific grade.

9-1 grade conversion Paper 1 Reading

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Language A vs Language B: the only thing that changes is the grade

In one sentence

What is exactly the same

What actually changes

What this means for your revision

Keep going

Language A vs Language B: the only thing that changes is the grade

In one sentence

What is exactly the same

What actually changes

What this means for your revision

Keep going