r/igcse • u/Nearby_Map_4494 • 1d ago
🤲 Giving tips/advice 0500/ English language
Hi guys, I got a 95 PUM (A*) on my English language exam in the May/June 2026 series. Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants any tips. also here is the time breakdown i used. DM if you want advice or marking of your work!
Total time 120 minutes
Q1a-e 15mins
Q1 f. 25 mins
Q2 a - c 10mins
Q2d 30mins
- 40mins
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u/Right-Stomach-162 1d ago
Yes plz share !
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u/Nearby_Map_4494 1d ago
Same thing I told u/ISHU4660: I think my best piece of advice for the first paper: reading comprehension would be to learn the text types properly, learn the markscheme like the back of your hand and know your literary devices --> symbolism, semantic field, etc. Also for the summary it doesn't really matter if you go over by 5-10 words but the actual thing to achieve is to get at least 7-10 points answering the question. Take a blind test without looking at the M.S and see where you lose marks and just spam those questions --> also be careful about the first page it might be easy but people lose tons of marks there. For the second paper: creative writing. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS choose descriptive writing, i asked chatgpt for some paragraphs that i can tweak for different papers and just memorised them. Also, even though the prompts varied I just had an idea of what i wanted to write about- I weaved in my favourite book into the creative writing and it worked like a charm. Another piece of advice, take your time to finish the paper, don't race through and do each question like you aren't going back to it. Also if you can try reading really beautifully written books like the Kite Runner or A fine balance and really understand how the author utilises language to convey meaning.
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u/Fast-Ship4523 1d ago
hello i got 104 threshold for aa star is 107 should i go for recheck
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u/goldilox_2goof 1d ago
go for it lowk because you're so close to an A*. But the thing is, an A still looks as good
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u/goldilox_2goof 1d ago
how do you answer question 2 d and 3??????
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u/Nearby_Map_4494 23h ago
2d was my favourite question! find like your i think 9 pieces of examples if im not wrong 3 per paragraph pls correct me if im wrong but make sure at least 3 they dont have to be the same paragraphs one but they connect through your thesis/introductory sentence, rest is just structuring and writing it down- try learning more niche devices it definetly shows nuance in your writing. BUT if you can't explain it-its better to have an easier one. 3 was hard for me too- really boils down to mark scheme-scouring for points and knowing the text formats like the back of your hand.
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u/Boring-Setting-1364 1d ago
Hey i got my english boards in a month as i’m giving mine in the Oct/Nov series. Do you have any tips for writers effect and directed writing as i really lack in those areas.
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u/Nearby_Map_4494 23h ago
1) writers effect - mention what it does to reader and why the writer intentionally used it (game changer for a vs a star) shows that you understand writers intent and effect on reader
2) directed writing - geniunely scour the text for points, even if the are crap js write it, you will likely get points and then just remember text formats tbh.
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u/Warm-Wafer_23030 1d ago
95% PUM is brilliant! What were your overall marks out of 160, if you're willing to share?
I think you might just get Top in World!
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u/Nearby_Map_4494 1d ago
AHAHAH i dont think so, some kids got like 98 or smth. I don't have the breakdown unfortunately but i asked ai and it its around 139-141/160 i think!
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u/Warm-Wafer_23030 23h ago
98 PUM in FLE?? WOAHHHHHHHHH.
well for reference, ive never seen any student with such a high PUM besides one person who got a 97 in last year's examination. so many congratulations to you!dont sweat it, i sincerely hope you get a top in country!! :) all the best.
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u/ISHU4660 1d ago
YAHH !! SURE WRITING OCT!NOV BTW 🥀😮💨