OxfordAQA · Literature in English
9275 Literature in English, explained
See how 9275 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
OxfordAQA 9275 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 OxfordAQA 9275 is assessed
Every candidate sits Paper 1 (Prose and drama). Schools then choose one of two routes. Route A candidates take the exam-only Paper 2a (Poetry and unseen texts, 60%). Route B candidates take the shorter Paper 2b (Poetry, 40%) plus a coursework non-exam assessment (20%), moderated by OxfordAQA. Route B Paper 1 is 40%, so the Route B total is 40% + 40% + 20%.
| Component | Time | Marks | Weight | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9275/1: Paper 1: Prose and drama A written exam on one studied prose text and one studied drama text. Candidates answer on both. It assesses understanding of themes, ideas and contexts, analysis of writers' methods, and a clear personal response in accurate writing. | 1h 30min | 60 | 40% | External (written exam, closed book) |
| 9275/2A: Paper 2a: Poetry and unseen texts A longer written exam for the exam-only route. It covers studied poetry and unseen literary material. It tests the same three assessment objectives. | 2h 15min | 90 | 60% | External (written exam, open book) |
| 9275/2B: Paper 2b: Poetry A shorter poetry exam for candidates whose school follows the coursework route. It replaces part of the load carried by Paper 2a. It tests the three assessment objectives across studied and unseen poetry. | 1h 30min | 60 | 40% | External (written exam, open book) |
| NEA: Non-exam assessment (NEA / coursework) A coursework component for Route B candidates only. Candidates complete one extended response to a prose fiction text of their choice (30 marks, 20% of the qualification). The text must not come from the prescribed list of set texts for Paper 1. The teacher marks it using the same mark scheme and OxfordAQA moderates it. | n/a | 30 | 20% | Internal (teacher marked, moderated by OxfordAQA) |
Who takes each component
- 9275/1: All candidates (both routes)
- 9275/2A: Route A candidates only
- 9275/2B: Route B candidates only
- NEA: Route B candidates only
Graded on the 9–1 scale (Specification, Version 5.1 (exams May/June 2018 onwards)).
What the exam rewards (assessment objectives)
Candidates are assessed on the skills below. We paraphrase them from the board's official syllabus.
Reading
- AO1: Understanding of, and engagement with, themes, ideas and contexts
- AO2: Analysis of how writers create meanings and effects
Writing
- AO3: Express informed, personal responses to literary texts, using appropriate terminology, and coherent, accurate writing
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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