Edexcel International AS Arabic specification (XAA01)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel International AS Arabic 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 Edexcel International AS Arabic 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 Edexcel International AS Arabic (XAA01) 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 Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Cambridge International AS Level in Arabic is designed to develop learners’ ability to understand and write in Arabic across a variety of authentic contexts. It encourages fluency, grammatical accuracy and sensitivity to language and meaning. Students are expected to respond to stimulus material and express complex ideas with clarity and coherence. The course fosters an appreciation of Arabic-speaking cultures and supports further study or professional use of Arabic. It equips learners with skills in comprehension, translation, and extended writing.Subject content breakdown
1. Reading
- Understand gist and detail in authentic Arabic texts
- Respond to questions in Arabic based on written material
- Demonstrate awareness of style, register and tone
2. Translation
- Translate a short passage from Arabic into English
- Translate a short passage from English into Arabic
- Show understanding of vocabulary, grammar and structure
3. Writing
- Respond to a stimulus in Arabic with an extended piece of writing
- Present a coherent and structured argument
- Use varied vocabulary and complex sentence constructions
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Reading and Writing
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 60 marks
- Section 1: Two reading passages in Arabic with comprehension and vocabulary tasks
- Section 2: One Arabic–English translation, one English–Arabic translation
- Section 3: One extended writing task in Arabic (response to stimulus)
100% of AS Level
- Exam available in June only
- Grading: A–E
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel International AS Arabic 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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