Cambridge IGCSE English – First Language 0500: Exam Structure
Exam structure at a glance for Cambridge IGCSE English – First Language 0500: every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus the links you need.
- Board
- Cambridge International
- Code
- 0500
- Grades
- A*-G
- Exam papers
- 2
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
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Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Reading | 2 h | 80 | 50% | |
| Paper 2: Directed Writing and Composition | 2 h | 80 | 50% | |
| Component 3: Coursework Portfolio Non-exam assessment | not stated | 80 | 50% | Coursework portfolio, marked by the school and moderated by Cambridge. Taken instead of Paper 2. |
| Component 4: Speaking and Listening Test Endorsement (option) | 12 min | 40 | Reported separately | Optional speaking and listening test, reported separately as grade 1 (high) to 5 (low). |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole qualification. Summaries are in our own words.
Routes (2): Exam only: Paper 1 + Paper 2; With coursework: Paper 1 + Component 3. Each route adds up to 100%.
Good to know
- Grades: A*-G
- Exam series: June and November (all); March (India only)
- For exams in: 2027, 2028 and 2029
- Coursework: optional (Component 3 instead of Paper 2)
- Short link www.cambridgeinternational.org/<code> is the format Cambridge gives in its syllabuses for the syllabus page.
Official documents and past papers
- Cambridge International: syllabus / specification page
- Cambridge International: syllabus / specification (PDF)
- Cambridge International: past papers
- Cambridge International: grade thresholds / boundaries
Facts checked against: cambridgeinternational.org.
More packs
Facts taken from Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses published by Cambridge International Education. Summaries are Classfern's own words. Always check the current syllabus. Cambridge IGCSE is a trademark of Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Exam details checked against the syllabus or specification on 2026-10-20. Always check the current version on the board's website. We store facts only (codes, papers, times, marks, weightings) with summaries in our own words; no syllabus, guide or paper text is reproduced, and past papers are linked, never re-hosted.
Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment or Cambridge International Education.
IB is named here only to link to our IB packs. This work has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Questions teachers ask
How long are the Cambridge IGCSE English – First Language 0500 exams?
Paper 1: 2 h; Paper 2: 2 h.