Syllabus

Cambridge O Level
First Language Urdu 3247
For examination in June 2021.

Version 2
Please check the syllabus page at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel
to see if this syllabus is available in your administrative zone.
 Changes to the syllabus for 2021
The syllabus has been updated. The latest syllabus is version 2, published October 2018.

The following amendment has been made to the set texts list on page 11.

Part 2 Poetry

Nazmein

‘Abstract Art’ is by the author Syed Muhammad Jafree.

Previous changes to version 1, published September 2018.

The list of set texts for paper 2 has been updated.

  Significant changes to the syllabus are indicated by black vertical lines either side of the text.

You are strongly advised to read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching programme.
Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2015 are still suitable for
use with this syllabus.

Teachers should take account of the changes described above when using these textbooks.

Copyright © UCLES September 2018

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is
the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the
University of Cambridge.
UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a
third party even for internal use within a centre.
Contents

1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Why choose Cambridge International?
1.2 Why choose Cambridge O Level?
1.3 Why choose Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu?
1.4 How can I find out more?

2. Teacher support............................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Support materials
2.2 Endorsed resources
2.3 Training

3. Assessment at a glance................................................................................................... 6

4. Syllabus aims and assessment objectives....................................................................... 7

4.1 Syllabus aims
4.2 Assessment objectives
4.3 Relationship between assessment objectives and components

5. Description of components.............................................................................................. 9
5.1 Paper 1 Reading and Writing
5.2 Paper 2 Texts

6. Mark schemes............................................................................................................... 12
6.1 Paper 1 Reading and Writing
6.2 Paper 2 Texts

7. Other information........................................................................................................... 16
Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1 Why choose Cambridge International?

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an
informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.

Our Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can
shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn – with a wide range of subjects and flexible
ways to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the skills
they need for life, so they can achieve at school, university and work.

Our programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. They are created
by subject experts, rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research. They provide a
strong platform for students to progress from one stage to the next, and are well supported by teaching and
learning resources.

Every year, nearly a million Cambridge learners from 10 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future
with the Cambridge Pathway.

Cambridge learners
Our mission is to provide educational benefit through provision of international programmes and
qualifications for school education and to be the world leader in this field. Together with schools, we
develop Cambridge learners who are:
• confident in working with information and ideas – their own and those of others
• responsible for themselves, responsive to and respectful of others
• reflective as learners, developing their ability to learn
• innovative and equipped for new and future challenges
• engaged intellectually and socially, ready to make a difference.

Recognition
Our expertise in curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment is the basis for the recognition of our
programmes and qualifications around the world.

Cambridge O Level is internationally recognised by schools, universities and employers as equivalent in

demand to Cambridge IGCSE™ (International General Certificate of Secondary Education). There are over
700 000 entries a year in nearly 70 countries. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/recognition

Support for teachers

A wide range of materials and resources is available to support teachers and learners in Cambridge schools.
Resources suit a variety of teaching methods in different international contexts. Through subject discussion
forums and training, teachers can access the expert advice they need for teaching our qualifications. More
details can be found in Section 2 of this syllabus and at www.cambridgeinternational.org/teachers

2 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Introduction

Support for exams officers

Exams officers can trust in reliable, efficient administration of exams entries and excellent personal support
from our customer services. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers

Quality management
Cambridge International is committed to providing exceptional quality. In line with this commitment, our
quality management system for the provision of international qualifications and education programmes
for students aged 5 to 19 is independently certified as meeting the internationally recognised standard,
ISO 9001:2015. Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org/ISO9001

1.2 Why choose Cambridge O Level?

Cambridge O Level is typically for 14 to 16 year olds and is an internationally recognised qualification.
It has been designed especially for an international market and is sensitive to the needs of different
countries. Cambridge O Level is designed for learners whose first language may not be English, and this is
acknowledged throughout the examination process.

Our aim is to balance knowledge, understanding and skills in our programmes and qualifications to enable
students to become effective learners and to provide a solid foundation for their continuing educational
journey.

Through our professional development courses and our support materials for Cambridge O Levels, we
provide the tools to enable teachers to prepare students to the best of their ability and work with us in the
pursuit of excellence in education.

Cambridge O Levels are considered to be an excellent preparation for Cambridge International AS & A Levels,
the Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U, and other
education programmes, such as the US Advanced Placement program and the International Baccalaureate
Diploma programme. Learn more about Cambridge O Levels at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel

Guided learning hours

Cambridge O Level syllabuses are designed on the assumption that learners have about 130 guided learning
hours per subject over the duration of the course, but this is for guidance only. The number of hours required
to gain the qualification may vary according to local curricular practice and the students’ prior experience of
the subject.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 3
Introduction

1.3 Why choose Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu?

Cambridge O Levels are established qualifications that keep pace with educational developments and
trends. The Cambridge O Level curriculum places emphasis on broad and balanced study across a wide
range of subject areas. The curriculum is structured so that students attain both practical skills and
theoretical knowledge.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu is recognised by universities and employers throughout the world
as proof of linguistic knowledge and understanding. Successful Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu
candidates gain lifelong skills, including:
• the ability to communicate confidently and clearly in Urdu
• a sound understanding of the nature of language and language study, and of the skills and abilities
required for further study and leisure
• insight into the culture and contemporary society of areas where the language is spoken
• better integration into communities where the language is spoken
• positive attitudes towards language learning, towards the speakers of other languages and towards
other cultures and societies
• skills which can be used in other areas of learning, such as analysis and memory skills.

Candidates may also study for a Cambridge O Level in a number of other subjects. In addition to Cambridge
O Levels, Cambridge also offers Cambridge International AS and A Levels for further study in Urdu as well
as in other subjects. See www.cambridgeinternational.org for a full list of the qualifications you can take.

Prior learning
We recommend that candidates beginning the course for 3247 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu
have a level in Urdu equivalent to first language competence.

Progression
Cambridge O Levels are general qualifications that enable candidates to progress either directly to
employment, or to proceed to further qualifications.

1.4 How can I find out more?

If you are already a Cambridge school
You can make entries for this qualification through your usual channels. If you have any questions, please
contact us at info@cambridgeinternational.org

If you are not yet a Cambridge school

Learn about the benefits of becoming a Cambridge school at www.cambridgeinternational.org/startcambridge
Email us at info@cambridgeinternational.org to find out how your organisation can register to become a
Cambridge school.

4 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Teacher support

2. Teacher support

2.1 Support materials

You can go to our public website at www.cambridgeinternational.org/olevel to download current and
future syllabuses together with specimen papers or past question papers, examiner reports and grade
threshold tables from one series.

For teachers at registered Cambridge schools a range of additional support materials for specific syllabuses
is available online from the School Support Hub. Go to www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
(username and password required). If you do not have access, speak to the Teacher Support coordinator at
your school.

2.2 Endorsed resources

We work with publishers who provide a range of resources for our syllabuses including print and digital
materials. Resources endorsed by Cambridge International go through a detailed quality assurance process
to make sure they provide a high level of support for teachers and learners.

We have resource lists which can be filtered to show all resources, or just those which are endorsed by
Cambridge International. The resource lists include further suggestions for resources to support teaching.
See www.cambridgeinternational.org/i-want-to/resource-centre for further information.

2.3 Training
We offer a range of support activities for teachers to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and skills to
deliver our qualifications. See www.cambridgeinternational.org/events for further information.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 5
Assessment at a glance

3. Assessment at a glance

Candidates take two papers and all questions are to be answered in Urdu.

Components Weighting

Paper 1  Reading and Writing 1 hour 30 minutes

This paper has two parts. Candidates answer all questions in Part 1 Reading and
one question in Part 2 Writing. 50%

50 marks
Externally assessed

Paper 2  Texts 2 hours

This paper has three parts: Part 1 Unseen Passage, Part 2 Poetry and
Part 3 Prose. Candidates answer one question from each part. 50%

50 marks
Externally assessed

Availability
This syllabus is examined in the June examination series.

This syllabus is available to private candidates.

Detailed timetables are available from www.cambridgeinternational.org/timetables

All Cambridge schools are allocated to one of six administrative zones. Each zone has a specific timetable.
From 2020 this syllabus is not availabe in all these administrative zones. To find out about the availability visit
the syllabus page at www.cambridgeinternational.org/timetables

Combining this with other syllabuses

Candidates can combine this syllabus in an examination series with any other Cambridge International
syllabus, except:
• Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539)
• Cambridge O Level Second Language Urdu (3248)
• syllabuses with the same title at the same level.

Please note that Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) syllabuses are at the
same level.

6 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Syllabus aims and assessment objectives

4. Syllabus aims and assessment objectives

4.1 Syllabus aims

This syllabus will appeal to those candidates who have Urdu as their mother tongue. The certificates
awarded to successful candidates will show that they have passed in the subject as a first language.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu aims to develop learners who:

• communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in writing
• understand and respond appropriately to what they read
• enjoy and appreciate the variety of language
• possess skills of a more general application (e.g. analysis, synthesis, drawing of inferences).

4.2 Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives (AOs) 1 and 2 have been grouped under skill headings, but it is recognised that
these are interrelated.

Assessment objective 1 Reading

Candidates should be able to:
R1 understand and convey information
R2 understand, order and present facts, ideas and opinions
R3 evaluate information and select what is relevant to specific purposes
R4 recognise implicit meanings and attitudes.

Assessment objective 2 Writing

Candidates should be able to:
W1 present relevant facts, ideas and opinions in an engaged manner and using appropriate detail
W2 articulate relevant experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W3 show a sense of audience and an awareness of appropriate register and style
W4 order, develop and link facts, ideas, opinions and arguments
W5 exercise control of a range of appropriate grammatical structures
W6 understand and accurately employ a range of appropriate vocabulary.

Assessment objective 3 Literature (texts)

Candidates should be able to:
T1 demonstrate first-hand knowledge of the content of literary texts
T2 understand the literal meanings of texts and the contexts of those meanings
T3 understand literary texts beyond their literal meanings in terms of the issues and attitudes they raise
T4 recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language to create their effects of narration,
description, characterisation and literary structure
T5 communicate an appropriate and informed response to what is read.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 7
Syllabus aims and assessment objectives

4.3 Relationship between assessment objectives and components

The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives are summarised below.

Assessment objective Paper 1 Paper 2 Weighting for

Reading and Writing Texts qualification
(marks) (marks)

AO1 Reading 25 – 25%

AO2 Writing 25 – 25%

AO3 Literature (texts) – 50 50%

8 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Description of components

5. Description of components

5.1 Paper 1 Reading and Writing

1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks

The paper has two parts: Part 1 Reading and Part 2 Writing. Each part is worth 25 marks. Candidates
answer all questions in Part 1 Reading and one question in Part 2 Writing.

In Part 1 Reading, candidates answer comprehension questions requiring answers of differing lengths on a
non-literary text of approximately 400 words.

Candidates are assessed on how far they fulfil the following reading skill objectives (Assessment objectives
R1, R2, R3, R4):
• understand and convey information
• understand, order and present facts, ideas and opinions
• evaluate information and select what is relevant to specific purposes
• recognise implicit meanings and attitudes.

In Part 2 Writing, candidates write one composition of 300–400 words in response to a choice of
argumentative, discursive, descriptive and narrative titles. Each title is taken from a different topic or sub-
topic.

Candidates will be assessed on:

• task achievement and content (Assessment objectives W1, W2, W3)
• structure (Assessment objective W4)
• language (Assessment objectives W5, W6).

The passage in Part 1 Reading and the titles in Part 2 Writing will be taken from the specified topic areas
below.

Topic areas:
1 Health and fitness:
e.g. food and diet, sport
2 T
 he world of youth:
e.g. music, traditional and modern culture, technology, fashion, family
3 Education and training:
e.g. school and college, work, professions
4 The world we live in:
e.g. current affairs, the environment, travel and tourism, the media

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 9
Description of components

5.2 Paper 2 Texts

2 hours, 50 marks

The paper has three parts:

Part 1 Unseen Passage 20 marks One passage-based question. Candidates read an

extract (from poetry or prose) which they have not
seen before and then answer a question which tests
critical understanding of the text and response to the
ways in which the writer achieves effects. The question
will include prompts which will suggest aspects that
candidates may consider in their answer.

Part 2 Poetry 15 marks Two essay questions based on the prescribed set texts
listed in the syllabus. Candidates answer one question.

Part 3 Prose 15 marks Two essay questions based on the prescribed set texts
listed in the syllabus. Candidates answer one question.

All questions in Part 1 Unseen Passage, Part 2 Poetry and Part 3 Prose encourage informed personal
response, and are designed to test Assessment objective 3 Literature (texts). In practical terms, this means
that candidates will be asked to demonstrate:
• informed and appropriate personal response: sometimes directly, for example, ‘What do you think?’,
‘What are your feelings about … ?’ and sometimes by implication, ‘Explore the ways in which …’
(Assessment objective T5)
• knowledge of the text through the use of close reference to details and use of quotations from the text
(Assessment objective T1)
• understanding of themes, characters, relationships, situations, issues and attitudes (Assessment
objectives T2 and T3)
• understanding of the writer’s intentions and methods, including use of language (Assessment objectives
T3 and T4).

10 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Description of components

5.2.1 Set texts

Unless otherwise indicated, candidates may use any edition of the set texts provided it is not an abridged or
simplified version.

Unless otherwise specified, the entire work should be studied.

Set texts may not be taken into the examination.

There are no set texts for Part 1 Unseen Passage.

Part 2 Poetry
Ghazlein

The following ten ghazals are to be studied:

Khwaja Haider Ali Ahtish ‘Hawae dur mah e Khush Gawar raah main he’
‘Sun to sahi jahan men hai tera fasana kya’
Mirza Ghalib ‘Har ek baat pe kahte ho tum ki tu kya hai’
‘Aah koo chayee aik umer aser honay tak’
Momin Khan Momin ‘Aser uss koo zara nahin hota’
‘Thani thee dil mai abb nah milain gay kisee say Ham’
Nasir Kazmi ‘Niyat e shook bher nah jaee kaheen’
‘Dil mai aik laher see uthee he abee’
Ahmed Faraz ‘Tum bhee Khafa hoo loog bhee berham hain dostoo’
‘Silsilay tor gaya who sabhi jaate jaate’

Nazmein

The following three nazms are to be studied:

Allama Iqbal ‘Talu e Islam’ (from “Dali e Subha e Roshan hay sitaroon kee tunak tabee”
to “Nahi hay tuj say bhar Ker saaz e Fitrat Mai nawa koee”)
Syed Muhammad Jafree ‘Abstract Art’
Mirza Mahmood Sarhadi ‘Qitaat’ (1 Tamam zer kay …, 2 Kabee tou in …, 3 Jis kaa bas …,
4 Qaim kuch aisay …, 5 Nokree kay liyee …, 6 Bay khaber abb … .)

Part 3 Prose
The following eight articles are to be studied:
Syed Salman Nadvi Uswah Husnah
Syed Ahmed Shah Patras Bukhari Lahore kaa Geographia
Ghulam Abbas Overcoat
Altaf Fatima Conductor
Mirza Adeeb Dastak
Mushtaq Ahmed Yousafi Ur ahna ghar mai murgiyoon kaa
Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj Kurtaba Ka Kazi
Colonel Muhammad Khan Qadr-e-Ayaz

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 11
Mark schemes

6. Mark schemes

6.1 Paper 1 Reading and Writing

Part 2 Writing: levels mark scheme
The levels mark scheme should be applied according to a ‘best-fit’ approach. Responses will not necessarily
contain all the features of one level. First fit the response into a level then adjust upwards or downwards in
marks as appropriate.

Marks available:
• Task achievement and content – 10 marks
• Structure – 5 marks
• Language – 10 marks

Task achievement and content [maximum 10 marks]

Level 5 9–10 • very detailed response

marks • wholly relevant to task
• makes points thoughtfully
• shows insight or engagement with the subject matter
• style fully appropriate.

Level 4 7–8 marks • detailed response

• mostly relevant to task
• makes some clear points
• shows some engagement with the subject matter
• style generally appropriate.

Level 3 5–6 marks • competent response

• usually relevant to task
• may lack detail or clarity in places
• a mechanical response to the subject matter
• some attempt at appropriate style.

Level 2 3–4 marks • a limited attempt

• limited relevance to task
• lacks detail and clarity
• an unfocussed response to the subject matter
• limited expression.

Level 1 1–2 marks • a weak attempt

• very limited relevance to task
• content very limited
• very limited expression.

Level 0 0 marks • no rewardable response.

12 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Mark schemes

Structure [maximum 5 marks]

Level 5 5 marks confidently argued and structured

Level 4 4 marks some ability to develop argument; clear structure

Level 3 3 marks some linked ideas; attempt at structure but not entirely successful

Level 2 2 marks few linked ideas; little attempt at structure

Level 1 1 mark ideas presented at random

Level 0 0 marks no rewardable response

Language [maximum 10 marks]

Level 5 9–10 • confident use of a range of complex sentence structures

marks • uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary
• generally accurate.

Level 4 7–8 marks • generally sound grasp of complex sentence structures

• uses a range of generally appropriate vocabulary
• mostly accurate, errors may occur when complex language is
attempted.

Level 3 5–6 marks • tends to be simple and repetitive in use of structures

• attempts to use appropriate vocabulary
• basics mostly accurate, errors do not impede communication.

Level 2 3–4 marks • nearly all that is written is simple and repetitive
• vocabulary is limited
• errors may impede communication.

Level 1 1–2 marks • very simple and repetitive sentence structures

• vocabulary is very limited
• many errors that impede communication.

Level 0 0 marks • no rewardable response.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 13
Mark schemes

6.2 Paper 2 Texts

Part 1 Unseen Passage: levels mark scheme
The levels mark scheme should be applied according to a ‘best-fit’ approach. Responses will not necessarily
contain all the features of one level. First fit the response into a level then adjust upwards or downwards in
marks as appropriate.

Level 6 18–20 Sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response.

marks • shows a clear critical understanding of the text and its deeper
implications
• responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves
effects
• integrates much well-selected reference to the text.

Level 5 15–17 Makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response.

marks • shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper
implications
• makes a developed response to the way the writer achieves
effects
• supports with careful and relevant reference to the text.

Level 4 11–14 Makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response.

marks • shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper
implications
• makes some response to the way the writer uses language
• shows some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence
from the text.

Level 3 7–10 Begins to develop a relevant personal response.

marks • shows some understanding of meaning
• makes a little reference to the language of the text
• uses some supporting textual detail.

Level 2 4–6 marks Attempts to communicate a basic personal response to the task.
• makes some relevant comments
• shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text
• makes a little supporting reference to the text.

Level 1 1–3 marks Some evidence of simple personal response.

• makes a few straightforward comments
• shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the
text
• makes a little reference to the text.

Level 0 0 marks No rewardable response.

14 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Mark schemes

Part 2 Poetry and Part 3 Prose: levels mark scheme

The levels mark scheme should be applied according to a ‘best-fit’ approach. Responses will not necessarily
contain all the features of one level. First fit the response into a level then adjust upwards or downwards in
marks as appropriate.

Level 5 13–15 Makes a well-developed and detailed response.

marks • shows a clear understanding of the text and its deeper
implications
• makes a developed exploration of the way the writer achieves
her/his effects (sustaining an appropriate voice in an empathic
task)
• supports with careful and relevant reference to the text
• fully addresses the focus of the question.

Level 4 10–12 Makes a reasonably developed relevant response.

marks • shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper
implications
• explores the way the writer uses language (using suitable
features of expression in an empathic task)
• shows some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence
from the text
• addresses the focus of the question.

Level 3 7–9 marks Makes a relevant response.

• shows some understanding of meaning
• makes some reference to the way the writer uses language
(beginning to assume a voice in an empathic task)
• uses some supporting textual detail
• partly addresses the focus of the question.

Level 2 4–6 marks Attempts to communicate a basic response to the task.

• makes some relevant comments
• shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text (of
character in an empathic task)
• makes a little supporting reference to the text
• makes some attempt to address the question.

Level 1 1–3 marks Limited attempt to respond.

• makes a few straightforward comments
• shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the
text (of character in an empathic task)
• makes a little reference to the text
• little relevance to the question.

Level 0 0 marks No rewardable response.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 15
Other information

7. Other information

Equality and inclusion

We have taken great care in the preparation of this syllabus and assessment materials to avoid bias of any
kind. To comply with the UK Equality Act (2010), we have designed this qualification with the aim of avoiding
direct and indirect discrimination.

The standard assessment arrangements may present unnecessary barriers for candidates with disabilities
or learning difficulties. Arrangements can be put in place for these candidates to enable them to access the
assessments and receive recognition of their attainment. Access arrangements will not be agreed if they
give candidates an unfair advantage over others or if they compromise the standards being assessed.

Candidates who are unable to access the assessment of any component may be eligible to receive an award
based on the parts of the assessment they have taken.

Information on access arrangements is in the Cambridge Handbook at

www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers

Language
This syllabus is available in English only. The Assessment materials are in Urdu.

Making entries
Exams officers are responsible for submitting entries to Cambridge International. We encourage them to
work closely with you to make sure they enter the right number of candidates for the right combination of
syllabus components. Entry option codes and instructions for submitting entries are in the Cambridge Guide
to Making Entries. Your exams officer has a copy of this guide.

Exam administration
To keep our exams secure, we produce question papers for different areas of the world, known as
‘administrative zones’. We allocate all Cambridge schools to one administrative zone determined by their
location. Each zone has a specific timetable. Some of our syllabuses offer candidates different assessment
options. An entry option code is used to identify the components the candidate will take relevant to the
administrative zone and the available assessment options.

Retakes
Candidates can retake the whole qualification as many times as they want to. This is a linear qualification so
candidates cannot re-sit individual components.

Grading and reporting

Cambridge O Level results are shown by one of the grades A*, A, B, C, D or E, indicating the standard
achieved, A* being the highest and E the lowest. ‘Ungraded’ indicates that the candidate’s performance fell
short of the standard required for grade E. ‘Ungraded’ will be reported on the statement of results but not
on the certificate. The letters Q (result pending), X (no result) and Y (to be issued) may also appear on the
statement of results but not on the certificate.

16 Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021.
 Other information

How students and teachers can use the grades

Assessment at Cambridge O Level has two purposes:
• to measure learning and achievement
The assessment:
–– confirms achievement and performance in relation to the knowledge, understanding and skills
specified in the syllabus, to the levels described in the grade descriptions.
• to show likely future success
The outcomes:
–– help predict which students are well prepared for a particular course or career and/or which students
are more likely to be successful
–– help students choose the most suitable course or career.

Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu 3247. Syllabus for examination in 2021. 17
Cambridge Assessment International Education
The Triangle Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8EA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1223 553554 Fax: +44 (0)1223 553558
Email: info@cambridgeinternational.org www.cambridgeinternational.org

Copyright © UCLES September 2018