Specification, sample assessment and mark scheme updates: International GCSE English Language A (4EA1) for first teaching September 2025

Transactional writing text types

In April 2024, we provided summary guidance on the transactional writing text types which had been set for 4EA1 01 since first assessment in June 2018. 

From November 2025 and in all subsequent exam series, the writing text types listed in the issue 7 specification will be the only text types set on 4EA1 01 for questions 6 and 7. We have formalised the list of text types to make it clearer to teachers and students which text types students should be familiar with and ready to write. We will update the guidance below to reflect this approach. 

Coursework submission process, SLE sample make up and assessment record sheets for coursework and the optional SLE

We updated the information on submitting your coursework sample and on the makeup of your spoken language endorsement (SLE) sample to reflect current practice.  We have updated assessment record sheets for coursework and the SLE to include student and teacher AI declarations The full list of changes can be found on the ‘Issue 7 changes’ page in the specification. 

These demonstrate the minor change to the Paper 2, question 1 AO1 mark scheme which is outlined below.

Access the issue 4 sample assessment materials

Amendment to the Paper 2 mark scheme

We updated the International GCSE English Language A Paper 2 (4EA1 02) AO1 mark scheme, which will apply from the November 2025 and all subsequent exam series.

The updates are as follows: 

-Changes to the wording in the bullet points of the levels-based mark scheme for Question 1 (AO1 only) for Levels 1 – 4 to better align the mark scheme with the equivalent mark scheme for the non-examined assessment (4EA1 03) and increase comparability across the two assessment routes of the qualification.

-A change to the Level 4 descriptor summary from ‘detailed, sustained’ to ‘detailed, perceptive’.  

The changes affect the question 1, reading mark scheme for the 4EA1 02 component. These changes make the wording in the mark scheme for 4EA1 02, AO1 more consistent with the mark scheme for AO1 in the 4EA1 03 component. The updates are shown below with changes highlighted:

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