For Cambridge International AS and A Level Literature in English, candidates: take Papers 3, 4, 5 and 6 or 7 or Component 8 in the same examination series leading to the full Cambridge International A Level, or, follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 3 and 4 (for the Cambridge International AS qualification) in the same series, then Papers 5 and 6 or 7 or Component 8 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later series, or, take Papers 3 and 4 only in the same series (for the Cambridge International AS qualification).
Specimen Papers
Specimen Paper 3 (2016) (172Kb)
- Specimen Paper 4 (2016) (169Kb)
- Specimen Paper 5 (2016) (185Kb)
- Specimen Paper 6 (2016) (183Kb)
- Specimen Paper 7 (2016) (165Kb)
Paper overview
Compulsory Cambridge International AS Level candidates are required to answer Paper 3 and Paper 4. Cambridge International A Level candidates are required to answer Paper 3, Paper 4 and Paper 5.
Paper 3 – Poetry & Prose
The paper contains two sections: Section A: Poetry and Section B: Prose. Candidates answer two questions, each from a different section.
- An essay question and a passage-based question are set on each text.
- In all answers, candidates must show understanding of the text and an informed independent opinion; they must communicate these clearly and appropriately.
The specimen paper is for general illustrative purposes. Please see the syllabus for the relevant year of the examination for details of the set texts.
Paper 4 – Drama
Candidates answer two questions on two plays.
- An essay question and a passage-based question are set on each text.
- In all answers, candidates must show understanding of the text and an informed independent opinion; they must communicate these clearly and appropriately.
The specimen paper is for general illustrative purposes. Please see the syllabus for the relevant year of the examination for details of the set texts.
Question 1 Peter Shaffer: Equus
Question 2 William Shakespeare: The Winter’s Tale
Question 3 William Shakespeare: Henry IV, Part 1
Question 4 Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire
Paper 5 – Shakespeare and other pre-20th Century Texts
This paper is divided into:
Section A: Shakespeare
Section B: other pre-20th Century Texts.
Candidates answer two questions: one question from Section A and one question from Section B.
At least one of the questions candidates answer must be a (b) passage-based question chosen from either Section A or Section B.
- An essay question and a passage-based question are set on each text.
- In all answers, candidates must show understanding of the text and an informed independent opinion; they must communicate these clearly and appropriately.
The specimen paper is for general illustrative purposes. Please see the syllabus for the relevant year of the examination for details of the set texts.
Optional Cambridge International A Level candidates are required to answer one from a choice of optional papers: either Paper 6 or Paper 7 or Paper 8.
Paper 6 – 1900 to the Present
Candidates answer one question on each of two different texts.
- An essay question and a passage-based question are set on each text.
- In all answers, candidates must show understanding of the text and an informed independent opinion; they must communicate these clearly and appropriately.
The specimen paper is for general illustrative purposes. Please see the syllabus for the relevant year of the examination for details of the set texts.
Question 1 Fleur Adcock: Collected Poems
Paper 7 – Comment and Appreciation
Candidates answer two out of three questions.
- Candidates write a critical appreciation of previously unseen passages printed on the question paper.
- The passages cover at least two of the categories: prose, poetry and drama.
- One question may involve a comparison of passages.
- All passages are from works originally written in English.
- At least one of the passages is from a work published after 1900.
Question 1-3
There is no essay part in this question
Paper 8 – Coursework
If you wish to apply to offer Component 8 – Coursework, you must first write to Cambridge with a detailed plan and rationale for a proposed course. This component is not available to private candidates.
- Candidates submit a folder of two essays on two texts (may include a small selection of poems or short stories); the texts must not be set for study elsewhere in the syllabus, and must be whole works, originally written in English.
- The two texts must be taken from two different forms (prose/poetry/drama).
- A minimum of 2000 and a maximum of 3000 words should be submitted in total (excluding quotations).
- The work will be internally marked and externally moderated.
- Candidates whose work is required for external moderation will be selected by Cambridge.
- The general coursework rules, published in the Cambridge Handbook, describe what is needed and give
- guidelines for internal (school-based) assessment of coursework.