IGCSE English Literature
Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English develops close reading and critical response to poetry, prose, and drama, including set texts and unseen passages.
Difficulty
Moderate
Popularity
62%
Past questions
3
Study tips
5
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
May/June & October/November, annually
~3 hours 45 minutes across components
Grades A*–G (or 9–1 in some regions)
C / Grade 4 = standard pass | A*/9 = highest
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Poetry & Prose | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 questions | 50% |
| Paper 3 — Drama | 45 minutes | 1 question | 25% |
| Paper 4 — Unseen | 1 hour 15 minutes | 1 unseen response | 25% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Challenging
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
Read examiner reports and high-scoring sample answers to internalize what top marks look like.
- 2
Build a quote bank for each text you study, organized by theme and character.
- 3
Every analytical paragraph should follow point → evidence → analysis of effect — never just identify a technique.
- 4
Work through Cambridge past papers and mark schemes — examiner wording is consistent year to year.
- 5
Read examiner reports: they tell you exactly which mistakes cost students marks last session.
Past Exam Questions
Explain what is meant by Poetry Analysis and identify the techniques a writer typically uses to convey it.
Analyse how a writer uses language, structure, and form in relation to Prose Analysis. Quote specific evidence and explain its effect on the reader.
"A writer's treatment of Drama reveals their deeper purpose." Discuss this view, developing a clear argument supported by close textual analysis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Retelling the plot instead of analyzing the writer's choices and their effects.
- ✕
Quoting without commenting — evidence only earns marks when it is analyzed.
- ✕
Writing without a clear, arguable thesis, so the essay drifts.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for IGCSE English Literature — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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