Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE German Foreign Language specification (0525)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE German Foreign Language exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE German Foreign Language specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE German Foreign Language (0525) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Cambridge (CIE) specification PDF.
Specification overview
Cambridge IGCSE German Foreign Language aims to develop the ability to communicate effectively in German in practical situations, fostering language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The course provides insights into the cultures and societies of German-speaking countries, promoting linguistic confidence and cultural awareness. It encourages students to use a range of familiar and new vocabulary and structures, supporting progression to higher-level studies or employment. The course is mapped against CEFR A2 level, with elements of B1, and equips learners with transferable skills such as comprehension, expression, and cultural understanding:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
A Everyday activities
- Time expressions: telling time, days, months, seasons.
- Food and drink: meals, types of food, utensils.
- Human body and health: parts of the body, health, illness.
- Travel and transport.
B Personal and social life
- Self, family, and friends.
- Home and household: rooms, furniture, garden.
- Colours, clothes, leisure activities, hobbies, sports.
C The world around us
- People and places: countries, nationalities, environment.
- Natural world, climate, weather.
- Communication and technology.
- Urban areas, shopping, measurements, materials.
D The world of work
- Education: institutions, classroom, learning tools.
- Work: jobs, careers, workplace.
E The international world
- Countries, nationalities, languages.
- Culture, customs, faiths, festivals.
Skills Developed
- Listening to a variety of spoken texts.
- Reading authentic texts on familiar topics.
- Speaking in predictable contexts and engaging in conversations.
- Writing short texts, letters, and connected prose for different purposes:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Listening (25%)
- Approx. 50 minutes.
- Multiple-choice and matching questions based on recordings.
- Assesses comprehension of everyday topics, opinions, and ideas.
Paper 2: Reading (25%)
- 1 hour.
- Multiple-choice, matching, and short answer questions.
- Tests understanding of texts on familiar subjects.
Paper 3: Speaking (25%)
- Approx. 10 minutes with 10 minutes preparation.
- One role play and two topic conversations.
- Internally assessed, externally moderated.
- Assesses communication, vocabulary, interaction, pronunciation.
Paper 4: Writing (25%)
- 1 hour.
- Form-filling, directed writing (80–90 words), and extended writing (130–140 words).
- Evaluates factual writing, description, opinions, and language accuracy.
Assessment Objectives
- AO1 (25%): Listening.
- AO2 (25%): Reading.
- AO3 (25%): Speaking.
AO4 (25%): Writing.
- All papers require written responses in German.
- No dictionaries allowed.
- Graded A*–G.
- Speaking tests must follow Cambridge administration guidelines:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE German Foreign Language isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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