What 0510/01 assesses
Six exercises, all compulsory: four reading and two writing. Exercise 1 is short answers on a 400–450 word text (8 marks); Exercise 2 is multiple matching (9); Exercise 3 is completing notes (7); Exercise 4 is six multiple-choice questions (6).
The two writing exercises are each 120–160 words and 15 marks: an informal email, then a formal or semi-formal article, report, essay or review. Dictionaries are not allowed.
- Time: 2 hours
- Marks: 60
- Weight: 70% of Cambridge International 0993 (2027–2029 syllabus)
- How it is assessed: External
- Who takes it: All candidates
0510/01 is worth 70% of the 0993 grade and carries 60 marks. Each mark moves the qualification by about 1.17%. The qualification is graded 9–1.
What the examiners reward in 0510/01
Reading
- R1. demonstrate understanding of specific factual information
This is one of the objectives. The 0993 overview lists the full set.
Writing
- W1. communicate information, ideas and opinions
This is one of the objectives. The 0993 overview lists the full set.
How the routes work in 0993
All candidates take the same three components. There are no tiers or route options. Paper 1 (Reading and Writing, 70% of the written-paper weighting) and Paper 2 (Listening, 30%) together decide the A*–G grade.
Paper 3 (Speaking, 40 marks) must also be taken but is a separate endorsement graded 1 (high) to 5 (low). It is conducted and marked by the centre, moderated by Cambridge, and does not count towards the written-paper grade.
Preparing for Cambridge International 0993 Paper 1? The paid trial hour can start with a timed look at that paper.
Question types we practise for 0510/01
- ESL note-making: Selecting information under headings without copying whole sentences. Skills guide · annotated model response · practice
- ESL summary: Summarising a text accurately in your own words. Skills guide · annotated model response · practice
- ESL email: Writing an email in the right register for its purpose. Skills guide · annotated model response · practice
A timing plan for 0510/01
The syllabus gives 60 marks and 2 hours for 0510/01. That is about 2 minutes per mark. A 10-mark answer therefore earns about 20 minutes.
At the halfway point of 60 minutes, check that you have covered about 30 marks' worth of the paper. This is a practice guide built from the stated totals. The paper's own instructions come first.
Where marks are lost on 0510/01
Writing a report: Wrong register. The report is written like an article, with voice and flourish. Read the full guide.
Building vocabulary by register: The wrong-register word. A formal, ornate word in casual writing, or slang in a formal piece, sounds wrong however impressive the word is. Read the full guide.
Preparing for 0510/01 with us
A teacher works through 0510/01 question types with your child under timed conditions, against the criteria in the mark scheme. See English as a Second Language tuition for how a session runs.
0510/01 is one component of Cambridge International 0993, graded on the 9–1 scale. Check the current arrangement for your exam year with your school or the board.