Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 past papers
Cambridge’s past papers page for Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500) has the June 2024 series and the specimen papers, free, with mark schemes. The button below opens it on Cambridge’s website.
What is free: For each syllabus, Cambridge’s public site has one exam series: the June 2024 series, with one version of each paper, its mark scheme and an examiner report. It also has specimen papers for the current syllabus.
What is held back: Every other series and version, including March, November and earlier years, is on Cambridge’s School Support Hub, for teachers at Cambridge schools.
June 2024
One version of each question paper, with its mark scheme and an examiner report for the series. Free on Cambridge’s page for 0500.
Specimen papers
Sample papers and mark schemes for the current syllabus, written by Cambridge before the first exams. Free on Cambridge’s page for 0500.
Other series: teachers only
Every other series and version, including March, November and earlier years, is on Cambridge’s School Support Hub, for teachers at Cambridge schools.
What the First Language English exam contains
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English (0500) is for students whose first language is English, with grades from A* to G. Everyone sits Paper 1, Reading (2 hours, half the marks), with questions on three passages, including a summary. The other half is either Paper 2, Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours), or a coursework folder of three pieces of writing. An optional speaking and listening test gets its own separate grade. A new syllabus starts with the 2027 exams: the papers keep their length and marks, but Paper 1 becomes four questions of 20 marks each and the directed writing task is split into two parts.