IGCSE Arabic B Assessment and Revision Page

This course encourages students to develop the language proficiency required to communicate effectively in Modern Standard Arabic and to develop an ability to use the language effectively for practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, and these are built on as learners progress through their studies.

Arabic B students will be able to enter the IGCSE Arabic Language. All students who take the IGCSE Arabic as a second language course should have studied Arabic for at least 3 years.

The Cambridge IGCSE Arabic as a Foreign Language assessment is part of the Cambridge IGCSE series, designed specifically for non-native Arabic learners. Cambridge IGCSE courses are well-regarded for their international standards, and the Arabic Foreign Language syllabus focuses on the practical use of Arabic in everyday communication. Here's a more specific breakdown of the Cambridge IGCSE Arabic (Foreign Language) Assessment:

  • Assessment: It tests how well students can respond spontaneously and their pronunciation and communication skills.
  • Paper Structure (Cambridge)

The course is divided into four papers, each testing different skills in the language:



Paper 1: Listening (30% of total grade) 
  • Duration: Approx. 45 minutes
  • Description: Students listen to various recordings in Arabic and answer questions to test their understanding.
  • Types of Questions: These include multiple-choice, short-answer, and matching exercises. The recordings reflect real-life situations, including dialogues, announcements, or conversations.

Paper 2: Reading (30% of total grade)

This paper consists of six groups of questions, each comprising a number of multiple-choice and matching questions, as well as questions requiring short answers in Arabic.

Students should review the topics using their Notebooks and the resources provided on teams to revise. All PowerPoints are available to you.

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Description: Students read texts such as advertisements, articles, letters, or emails and respond to comprehension questions.
  • Types of Texts: The reading materials represent various everyday scenarios, helping students demonstrate their ability to extract meaning from different types of written Arabic.

Paper 3: Speaking (20% of total grade)

  • Duration: 10–15 minutes
  • Description: This is an oral exam that tests spoken fluency, accuracy, and the ability to communicate clearly in Arabic.
    • Part 1: Role-play – Students are asked to respond to specific situations.
    • Part 2: Topic presentation – Students prepare a short presentation on a topic of their choice.
    • Part 3: General conversation – Questions about everyday topics like hobbies, school, or family life.

Paper 4: Writing (20% of total grade)

        This paper consists of a form-filling task, a directed writing task and an extended writing task in response to given contexts and prompts.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Description: Students complete a variety of writing tasks, such as short messages, formal or informal letters, and longer essays.
    • Part 1: Write a short response to a prompt (e.g., completing a note or an email).
    • Part 2: Write a longer piece on a specific topic, demonstrating more complex language skills.