Pearson Edexcel · Literature in English
4ET1 Literature in English, explained
See how 4ET1 is assessed, straight from the official syllabus, and how our teachers help students prepare one-to-one.
What it is and who sits it in Malaysia
Pearson Edexcel 4ET1 belongs to the Literature in English strand of IGCSE / International GCSE English. It is graded on the 9–1 scale. Malaysian international schools choose their board and strand to suit their students. Private candidates and homeschoolers can sit it through an authorised centre. If you are unsure which code your child is entered for, the school's examinations office can confirm.
How we teach it
Your child works one-to-one with an experienced English teacher who teaches to this board's papers. Lessons combine reading and writing, timed practice and close work on the mark scheme. Read about Literature in English tuition to see how lessons run. The Literature in English syllabus pages explain the skills involved.
How Pearson Edexcel 4ET1 is assessed
Every candidate sits Component 1 (60%). For the remaining 40% they follow either the exam route (Component 2) or the coursework route (Component 3). These two routes are alternatives that cover the same content.
| Component | Time | Marks | Weight | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4ET1/01 (Component 1): Poetry and Modern Prose Section A, Unseen Poetry (20 marks): one essay on an unseen poem printed in the paper. Section B, Anthology Poetry (30 marks): one essay from a choice of two, comparing two poems from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology. Section C, Modern Prose (40 marks): one essay from a choice of two on a studied modern prose text. It is a closed-book exam, but candidates are provided with the anthology poems. It runs in the June and November series. | 2 hours | 90 | 60% | External (written examination) |
| 4ET1/02 (Component 2): Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts Section A, Modern Drama (30 marks) and Section B, Literary Heritage Texts (30 marks): one essay on each, from a choice of two questions per set text. It is an open-book exam: candidates may take prescribed editions of the set texts, which must be completely unmarked. It runs in the June and November series. | 1 hour 30 minutes | 60 | 40% | External (written examination) |
| 4ET1/03 (Component 3): Coursework (Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts) The coursework route, covering the same texts as Component 2. There are two assignments, each worth 30 marks: Assignment A on a modern drama text and Assignment B on a literary heritage text. Assignments are set and assessed by the centre (teacher-devised or self-generated) and externally moderated by Pearson. There is no fixed duration. | n/a | 60 | 40% | Internal (coursework, internally assessed and externally moderated by Pearson) |
Who takes each component
- 4ET1/01 (Component 1): All candidates
- 4ET1/02 (Component 2): Exam route (instead of Component 3)
- 4ET1/03 (Component 3): Coursework route (instead of Component 2)
Graded on the 9–1 scale (Specification, Issue 3 (August 2025)).
What the exam rewards (assessment objectives)
Candidates are assessed on the skills below. We paraphrase them from the board's official syllabus.
Reading
- AO1: Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal engagement
- AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects
- AO3: Explore links and connections between texts
- AO4: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
Requirements can change between syllabus versions. Confirm the structure for your child's exam year with the school or the board's syllabus, linked below.
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