How Many IGCSE English Literature Papers Are There?

If you are studying IGCSE English Literature and trying to work out how many exam papers you actually have to sit, you are not alone. A quick online search often throws up half-answers, exam-board jargon or information that does not quite match what your teacher has told you.

That is frustrating, especially when this subject matters so much. If you are not clear on how many papers there are, or what each one tests, it is easy to waste revision time or worry about the wrong things. English should feel manageable, not mysterious.

This article gives you a clear, simple breakdown of exactly how IGCSE English Literature is assessed for the main exam boards: Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA. Written by an English teacher with 20 years’ experience of teaching, everything here is based on a clear understanding of how these exams work, so you can feel confident, informed and ready to plan your revision properly.

Key takeaways

• Most IGCSE English Literature courses are assessed through two main components, but the exact combination of papers or coursework depends on the exam board and route chosen

• Cambridge International offers either a fully examined route or an exam plus coursework route, meaning some students sit two exam papers while others replace one exam paper with coursework

• Pearson Edexcel requires students to complete two components, but offers a choice between a second exam paper or a coursework-based assessment

• Oxford AQA offers different routes, with written examination papers or non-exam assessment depending on the route you follow

• Once you know your exam board and assessment route, you can revise much more effectively by focusing on the exact texts, paper formats and assessment objectives you will be examined on, rather than trying to prepare for everything

IGCSE English Literature: Paper structure by exam board

IGCSE English Literature is assessed differently depending on the exam board. While all boards test your understanding of poetry, prose and drama, they organise these texts into different papers and, in some cases, offer coursework as an alternative to one exam. Below is a clear overview of what each board requires.

CAIE (Cambridge) IGCSE English Literature

Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475) is assessed through two equally weighted components, with different routes:

Paper 1: Poetry and Prose (0475/01)

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 50 per cent of the final grade

• Assesses one poetry text and one prose text

• Closed-book exam (up to 2027)

• Students answer two essay-style questions

Students then have a choice of routes (normally decided on by your school):

EITHER

Paper 2: Drama

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 50 per cent of the final grade

• Two questions on two texts

• Closed book

OR

Paper 3: Drama

• 45 minutes

• 25 per cent of the final grade

• One question on one text

• Open book

AND

Paper 4: Unseen

• 1 hour 15 minutes

• 25 per cent of the final grade

• One question requiring critical commentary

OR

Paper 3: Drama

• 45 minutes

• 25 per cent of the final grade

• One question on one text

• Open book

AND

Component 5: Coursework

• 25 marks

• 25 per cent of the final grade

• Portfolio of two assignments, each on a different text

Your school decides which route you take. You should also note that this syllabus is changing for exams from 2028 onwards.

Edexcel IGCSE English Literature

Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Literature is also assessed through two components, with a coursework option available.

Paper 1: Poetry and Modern Prose

• 2 hours

• 60 per cent of the final grade

• Assesses one poetry collection, one modern prose text and a mandatory section on unseen poetry

• Closed-book exam

For the second component, schools choose one of the following:

Paper 2: Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 40 per cent of the final grade

• Assesses one modern drama text and one literary heritage text

• Open-book exam

OR

Coursework

• 40 per cent of the final grade

• Two essays on set texts

• Completed during the course and externally moderated

Oxford AQA IGCSE English Literature

Oxford AQA IGCSE English Literature uses two assessment paths: Route A (100 per cent exam) or Route B (80 per cent exam, 20 per cent coursework).

Route A

Paper 1: Prose and Drama

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 40 per cent of the final grade

• Assesses one prose fiction question and one drama question

• Closed-book exam

Paper 2a: Poetry and unseen texts

• 2 hours 15 minutes

• 60 per cent of the final grade

• Three questions

• Open book

Route B

Paper 1: Prose and drama

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 40 per cent of the final grade

• Two questions

• Closed book

Paper 2b: Poetry

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 40 per cent of the final grade

• Two questions

• Open book

Non-exam assessment

• 30 marks

• 20 per cent of the final grade

• One extended response to a prose fiction of the student’s choosing

The most important takeaway is this: every student studies literature, but not every student is assessed in exactly the same way. Once you know your exam board and whether coursework applies to you, the structure becomes predictable and much easier to revise for.

What does each paper assess?

Although paper titles and formats vary by exam board, IGCSE English Literature papers assess a core set of skills. Understanding these helps you revise more effectively, whatever specification you are studying.

Knowledge and understanding of texts

All papers assess how well you know your set texts. This includes:

• Key events, characters and relationships

• Central themes and ideas

• Important moments and quotations

You are expected to refer closely to the text to support your points, whether the exam is open book or closed book.

Analysis of writers’ methods

A major focus across all exam boards is analysis. This means explaining:

• How writers use language, structure and form

• Why particular words, images or techniques are effective

• How meaning and effects are created

Strong answers go beyond what happens in the text and focus on how it is written.

Personal and critical response

You are also assessed on your ability to form a personal, informed response. This involves:

• Developing a clear argument

• Explaining your interpretation of characters, themes or ideas

• Responding thoughtfully to the question set

This is not about opinion alone. Your ideas must be supported by evidence from the text.

Comparison (where required)

Some papers or coursework tasks require comparison. This means:

• Making connections between two poems, texts or extracts

• Comparing ideas, themes or methods

• Exploring similarities and differences clearly and coherently

Comparison is about linking ideas, not writing about texts separately.

Unseen text analysis

Where unseen papers apply, you are assessed on your ability to:

• Read a new poem or prose extract carefully

• Analyse language and structure without prior preparation

• Develop a clear, supported response under exam conditions

This tests transferable reading skills rather than memory.

In short, IGCSE English Literature is not about memorising essays. It assesses how well you understand texts, analyse language, develop ideas and support them with evidence. Once you recognise which of these skills each paper focuses on, your revision becomes far more effective and far less overwhelming.

How are the IGCSE English Literature papers marked?

Although each exam board has its own mark scheme, IGCSE English Literature is marked in a very similar way across all boards. The focus is on skills, not on spotting hidden tricks.

Assessment objectives

All exam boards use assessment objectives to decide how marks are awarded. These objectives cover the same core areas:

• Knowledge of the text: Showing clear understanding of characters, events, themes and ideas, supported by accurate references or quotations

• Analysis of language, structure and form: Explaining how writers use techniques to create meaning and effect

• Understanding of ideas and contexts: Showing insight into themes, relationships and, where relevant, the text’s context

• Personal, critical response: Developing a clear, thoughtful argument that answers the question directly.

Marks are not given for retelling the story. They are given for explaining, analysing and responding.

Weighting of papers

Each paper or component is given a fixed percentage of the final grade. These vary by exam board, and number of components required to achieve the qualification.

This means no single paper is designed to catch you out. Every component contributes in a planned, balanced way.

How the final grade is calculated

Your marks from each paper or coursework component are:

1. Added together

2. Converted into a total mark

3. Matched against grade boundaries set after the exam series

Grade boundaries vary slightly each year, but standards are carefully maintained so that results are fair and consistent.

The most important thing to understand is this: examiners are looking for clear thinking, supported analysis and a confident response to the question. If you focus your revision on those skills, the mark scheme works in your favour rather than against you.

How to prepare for each paper

IGCSE English Literature rewards smart, focused revision, not last-minute cramming. Once you know which papers you are sitting, you can tailor your preparation to the exact skills being tested.

Across all boards, the most effective preparation involves:

• Regular practice with past papers

• Careful annotation of texts

• Checking your work against mark schemes

• Learning to manage your time under exam conditions

Preparing for poetry and prose papers

For set text papers, depth matters more than coverage.

Start by:

• Knowing your texts well enough to navigate them confidently, even in closed-book exams

• Identifying key themes, characters and turning points

• Selecting short, flexible quotations that work for more than one question

When revising poetry:

• Focus on how poems work, not just what they are about

• Practise analysing language, imagery, structure and tone

• If comparison is required, practise making direct links between poems rather than writing about them separately

Use past paper questions to:

• Practise planning answers quickly

• Write full responses under timed conditions

• Check what high-level responses do differently by comparing your work to the mark scheme

Mark schemes are not about memorising phrases. They show you what strong analysis and argument look like.

Tackling unseen texts

Unseen poetry or prose can feel intimidating, but it is one of the most trainable skills.

The key is slowing down at the start:

• Read the text more than once

• Identify the central idea or mood

• Look for patterns in language, imagery or structure

Annotate briefly:

• Highlight striking words or phrases

• Note changes in tone or focus

• Ask yourself why the writer made those choices

When writing:

• Focus on a small number of strong points rather than trying to cover everything

• Support every idea with evidence from the text

• Keep linking your analysis back to the question

Practising unseen texts regularly builds confidence. The more you practise, the less “unseen” they feel.

Strong English Literature revision is about thinking like the examiner. Use past papers, manage your time carefully, annotate with purpose and always check your work against the mark scheme. Done consistently, this approach turns uncertainty into confidence.

For more IGCSE revision tips, check out our article How to Prepare for IGCSEs: Revision Strategies That Work.

Frequently asked questions

Are coursework options available in IGCSE English Literature?

Yes, coursework is available for some exam boards, but not for every student.

Whether coursework applies to you is decided by your school or exam centre, not by individual students. If your school does not offer the coursework route, you will take the full exam-based option instead.

Can I choose which papers I take in IGCSE English Literature?

No, students do not choose their papers individually.

Your school decides:

• Which exam board you are entered with

• Whether coursework is offered

• Which assessment route the whole class follows

This is done to ensure fair teaching and assessment conditions. If you are unsure which route applies to you, your teacher can tell you exactly which components you are entered for.

Are the papers open book or closed book?

This depends on the exam board and the paper.

Even in open-book exams, marks are awarded for analysis and understanding, not for copying from the text.

How long is each IGCSE English Literature paper?

Paper length varies by exam board and component, but most papers fall within a clear range.

• Shorter papers are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes

• Longer papers can be up to 2 hours or slightly more, depending on the number of sections

Exact timings are fixed and published in advance, so there are no surprises. Once you know your exam board and papers, you should practise answering questions under timed conditions that match your specific exams.

The key message across all of these questions is simple: once you know your exam board and route, the structure becomes predictable. That knowledge lets you revise with focus instead of second-guessing what you might be assessed on.

Final thoughts

IGCSE English Literature does not look exactly the same for every student. Paper structures vary between exam boards, and some schools offer coursework while others follow a fully exam-based route. That difference is normal and expected.

What matters most is this: once you know your exam board and assessment route, the subject becomes far more manageable. You can focus on the right texts, practise the right question types and revise the skills that are actually being assessed.

English Literature rewards understanding, analysis and clear thinking. It is not about learning model answers or trying to second-guess the exam. When you know the format, you can prepare with confidence rather than uncertainty.

If you are ever unsure, check your exam board’s syllabus or ask your teacher to confirm exactly which papers you will sit. That single step can transform how effective your revision is and how confident you feel going into the exam.

Here at Save My Exams, we have a range of resources to support your revision. Check them out below.

IGCSE English Literature Revision