IGCSE Literature in English 0475 from 2028: what changes?
From 2028, Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475 has two routes instead of three: every candidate takes Paper 1 Poetry and Prose (1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks, 50%), plus either Paper 2 Drama and Unseen (2 hours, 50 marks, 50%) or Component 3 Coursework (50 marks, 50%). Both papers become open text, the prose questions become essay-only, and the old Paper 3, Paper 4 and Component 5 disappear. The new syllabus is first examined in March 2028 in India and in June 2028 everywhere else.
This post compares the 2028–2030 syllabus (version 2, published September 2026) with the 2027 syllabus, component by component, as of November 2026. For every other subject, see our overview of Cambridge IGCSE syllabus changes for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
When does the new 0475 syllabus start?
The 2028–2030 syllabus covers exams in 2028, 2029 and 2030, so November 2027 is the last series on the current structure. Students starting a two-year course in September 2026 will sit the new papers.
| Item | 2027 syllabus | 2028–2030 syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Exam years | 2027 | 2028, 2029, 2030 |
| Series | June and November (plus March in India) | June and November (plus March in India) |
| First exam | — | March 2028 (India), June 2028 (others) |
| Grades | A* to G | A* to G |
| 9–1 version | 0992 | 0992, first exam June 2028 |
| O Level equivalent | 2010 | 2010, first exam June 2028 |
Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Literature in English 0992 is graded 9 to 1 but is otherwise the same as 0475, according to its syllabus page, and that page says it is available in a limited number of administrative zones. O Level Literature in English 2010 also changes for June 2028, with open-text papers and a 2-hour Paper 2 Drama and Unseen, but it has no coursework option. A candidate cannot take 0475 alongside 0992, 2010 or World Literature 0408 in the same series.
How does the new structure compare with the old one?
Five components become three, and the component numbers are reused, so "Component 3" now means coursework, not the open-text drama paper. Exams officers should check entry options with this in mind.
| 2027 component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | What happens from 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Poetry and Prose | 1 h 30 | 50 | 50% | Kept as Paper 1, now open text; prose questions essay-only |
| Paper 2 Drama (two texts) | 1 h 30 | 50 | 50% | Replaced by Paper 2 Drama and Unseen (one drama text + unseen) |
| Paper 3 Drama (Open Text) | 45 min | 25 | 25% | Removed; drama is now Section A of Paper 2 |
| Paper 4 Unseen | 1 h 15 | 25 | 25% | Removed; the unseen is now Section B of Paper 2 |
| Component 5 Coursework | — | 25 | 25% | Removed; replaced by Component 3 Coursework, 50 marks |
| 2028–2030 component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Taken by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Poetry and Prose (Open text) | 1 h 30 | 50 (25 + 25) | 50% | All candidates |
| Paper 2 Drama and Unseen (Open text) | 2 h | 50 (25 + 25) | 50% | Either this |
| Component 3 Coursework | — | 50 (30 + 20) | 50% | Or this |
The routes through the qualification change as a result:
| Route | 2027 syllabus | 2028–2030 syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Exam only | Paper 1 + Paper 2, or Paper 1 + Paper 3 + Paper 4 | Paper 1 + Paper 2 |
| With coursework | Paper 1 + Paper 3 + Component 5 | Paper 1 + Component 3 |
Two consequences matter for planning. The coursework route no longer includes a drama exam, although the comparing texts essay must include a drama text. And the exam route now always includes an unseen question, which was previously only part of the Paper 3 + Paper 4 route.
What changes in Paper 1 Poetry and Prose?
Paper 1 keeps its length, marks and two sections, but it becomes open text and the prose section loses its passage-based questions. Each question is still worth 25 marks, and candidates still answer one poetry and one prose question.
| Paper 1 | 2027 syllabus | 2028–2030 syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Set texts in the room | Not allowed | Allowed: poetry and prose texts, with limited annotation (see below) |
| Section A Poetry | Choice of two questions per text; poems printed | No change to question style; poems named are printed |
| Section B Prose | Choice of two questions per text; passages printed | Two essay questions per text; no passage-based questions |
Prose answers now need knowledge of the whole novel or story collection, with direct quotation from across the text. Cambridge says there are seven prose set texts to choose from. Version 2 of the syllabus removed the line saying passages from Stories of Ourselves would be printed in the paper, because candidates now bring the text in. The 2028 Paper 1 set texts include Songs of Ourselves Volumes 1 and 3, poems from Kayo Chingonyi's Kumukanda, and prose such as Pride and Prejudice, Brooklyn and I'm the King of the Castle. Set texts change by year, so check the list for your candidates' exam year.
What changes in Paper 2 Drama and Unseen?
Paper 2 combines one drama question and one unseen question in a single 2-hour, open-text paper. It replaces both the old 1 hour 30 minute Paper 2 Drama, which required two drama texts, and the Paper 3 + Paper 4 combination.
- Section A Drama (25 marks). Candidates study one play and choose from two questions on it: one passage-based and one essay. Cambridge says there is no change to the question style. There are five drama set texts and only one is by Shakespeare (The Tempest in 2028).
- Section B Unseen (25 marks). Candidates write a critical commentary on either a prose extract or a poem printed in the paper. The syllabus suggests about 30 minutes reading and planning and about 45 minutes writing. The old Paper 4 suggested about 20 minutes of planning in a 1 hour 15 minute paper.
- One play, not two. On the old Paper 2, candidates answered one passage-based and one essay question on two different plays. Now they study a single play in depth.
What does open text allow in the exam room?
Candidates may bring their set texts with highlighting, underlining and brief handwritten notes, but no sticky notes or loose paper. This is a real change from the 2027 Paper 3, which allowed only clean copies with no personal annotations, highlighting or underlining.
| Allowed in set texts from 2028 | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Highlighting or underlining | Separate pieces of paper inserted |
| Brief handwritten notes in words and phrases, not full sentences | Sticky notes or similar bookmarks |
| Published notes or an editor's commentary | Extended handwritten notes |
The syllabus adds that editors' notes used in an answer must be quoted and referenced, or it is treated as plagiarism. Poems named in Paper 1 questions and drama passages in Paper 2 are still printed on the question paper.
What changes in coursework?
Coursework doubles from 25 to 50 marks and 50% of the qualification, with two new comparative essays.
| Coursework | 2027 Component 5 | 2028–2030 Component 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Marks and weighting | 25 marks, 25% | 50 marks, 50% |
| Tasks | Two assignments on different texts, 600–1200 words each | Comparing texts (about 1500 words, 30 marks) and comparing poems (about 1000 words, 20 marks) |
| Text rules | One assignment may be on a set text; one may be empathic | Comparing texts: two complete texts, one must be drama, neither studied for Paper 1. Poems may be Paper 1 set poems |
| Assessment criteria | One table, eight levels out of 25 | Two tables: six levels out of 30 and four levels out of 20 |
The empathic task option is gone. There is no separate assessment objective for comparison, but unbalanced essays that say far more about one text or poem are unlikely to reach the higher levels. Coursework is still marked and internally moderated by the centre and externally moderated by Cambridge, so departments should plan internal moderation of the new essays early.
What else changes: assessment objectives and criteria
The four assessment objectives stay at 25% each in every component, but AO3 is reworded and all the assessment criteria are new.
- AO3 changes from recognising and appreciating how writers use language, structure and form to "Analyse ways in which writers use language, structure and form" to create meanings and achieve effects.
- Level descriptors. The 2028 specimen mark schemes for Papers 1 and 2 mark each 25-mark question holistically in five levels of five marks each, from Level 5 (21–25) down to Level 1 (1–5).
- Syllabus aims and learner attributes have also been updated.
What happens to coursework marks carried forward?
Component 5 marks from November 2027 cannot be carried forward into March 2028 or June 2028. Carry forward restarts in November 2028, when Component 3 marks from March or June 2028 can be carried forward. A November 2027 coursework candidate who resits in 2028 would therefore need to take Paper 2 or submit new Component 3 coursework. Cambridge says to check its Carry Forward Notice for the detail.
What this means for marking mocks this year
If your students sit 0475 in 2027, keep using the current format; if they sit in 2028, set and mark their mocks against the new syllabus and the 2028 specimen mark schemes. The specimen Paper 1, Paper 2 and mark schemes are on Cambridge's 0475 past papers page and the School Support Hub, and they are the only complete papers in the new format until the 2028 series is released.
- Poetry questions transfer well. Old Paper 1 Section A questions match the new style. Check that the poems are on your 2028 list.
- Rewrite prose passage questions as essays. A passage-based question from an old Paper 1 no longer matches. Turn it into a whole-text essay question and let students use their annotated copies.
- Build a 2-hour Paper 2 from old papers. Pair one drama question from an old Paper 2 or Paper 3 with one unseen question from an old Paper 4. Give 2 hours, mark each out of 25, and use one play only.
- Mark with the new five-level descriptors. Use the specimen mark scheme levels for every 25-mark answer. Mixing old and new criteria makes totals hard to compare across classes.
- Do not treat old coursework as practice for new coursework. Single-text and empathic assignments do not test comparison. Set comparative drafts against the new 30-mark and 20-mark criteria.
- Be cautious with grades. Cambridge publishes grade thresholds only after a series is sat, so there are no 0475 thresholds for the new structure yet. See which grade boundaries to use for IGCSE mocks and how IGCSE grade thresholds are set.
FAQ
When is the first exam for the new IGCSE Literature in English 0475 syllabus?
The 2028–2030 syllabus is first examined in March 2028 for schools in India and in June 2028 for other schools. November 2027 is the last series on the current structure.
Is IGCSE Literature in English 0475 open book from 2028?
Yes. Both Paper 1 Poetry and Prose and Paper 2 Drama and Unseen are open text from 2028. Candidates may bring their set texts with highlighting, underlining and brief handwritten notes, but not sticky notes or inserted paper.
Can students still do coursework in 0475 from 2028?
Yes. Component 3 Coursework replaces Paper 2 and is worth 50 marks and 50% of the qualification. Candidates submit a comparing texts essay worth 30 marks and a comparing poems essay worth 20 marks.
Can November 2027 coursework marks be carried forward to 2028?
No. Cambridge says Component 5 marks from November 2027 cannot be carried forward to March or June 2028. Carry forward starts again in November 2028 using Component 3 marks from 2028.
Does the 9–1 Literature syllabus 0992 change too?
Yes. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Literature in English 0992 has its own 2028–2030 syllabus with the same structure, first examined in June 2028. It is graded 9 to 1 and is available only in some administrative zones.
Sources
- Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475 syllabus for 2028, 2029 and 2030, version 2 (September 2026) — Cambridge International
- Syllabus update: Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475 for 2028, 2029 and 2030 (September 2026) — Cambridge International
- Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475 syllabus for 2027, version 2 — Cambridge International
- 0475 specimen Paper 1 for examination from 2028, specimen Paper 1 mark scheme, specimen Paper 2 and specimen Paper 2 mark scheme — Cambridge International, 2025
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Literature in English 0992 syllabus for 2028, 2029 and 2030 and 0992 syllabus page — Cambridge International
- Cambridge O Level Literature in English 2010 syllabus for 2028, 2029 and 2030 — Cambridge International
- Syllabus Changes (International), September 2026 — Cambridge International