IGCSE 2026 Exam Trends: Edexcel English Language A 4EA1

Edexcel IGCSE English Language A (4EA1) is assessed with Paper 1 (non-fiction reading and transactional writing) and Paper 2 (poetry and prose, imaginative writing). Here are recent trends for 2026.

Paper format and structure

• 4EA1 – Paper 1 (reading + transactional writing) and Paper 2 (literature texts + imaginative writing); structure unchanged for 2025–2026.
• Paper 1: Reading – comprehension, inference, analysis of language and structure; quotation and explanation are required. Writing – transactional (e.g. letter, article, speech); form, audience, purpose and content are assessed.
• Paper 2: Unseen or set poetry/prose; analysis of language, form, structure. Imaginative writing – narrative/descriptive; content, organisation, accuracy.

Question types and topics that keep coming up

• Reading: What/How questions – evidence from the text (quotes); inference (“what suggests…”); language (“how does the writer…”); structure (opening, contrast, emphasis). Summary – selection of relevant points, own words where required.
• Transactional writing: Audience and purpose must be clear; form (letter, article, etc.) must be appropriate. Arguments or information with paragraphing and tone; SPAG is assessed.
• Literature (Paper 2): Analysis of language (word choice, imagery) and structure; comparison where asked. Quotation + explanation of effect.
• Imaginative writing: Narrative or descriptive; engagement, coherence, range of vocabulary and sentence structure; SPAG.

Are papers getting easier or harder?

• Standards are maintained via grade boundaries. Reports highlight quotation without explanation, vague analysis, writing that ignores audience/form, and SPAG errors costing marks.
• No reported shift in difficulty; precision in reading responses and control in writing are key.

Similarity to past papers and predictability

• Format and style match past Edexcel series. Past papers are a good guide to question types and mark allocation.
• Text types (non-fiction, poetry, prose) are predictable; exact texts are not. Marking focus (evidence, analysis, form/audience) is consistent.

Examiner expectations and marking

• Reading: Quotation + explanation of effect; inference supported by text; summary in own words where specified. Generic answers score low.
• Writing: Form and audience must be clear; content must match the task. SPAG (spelling, punctuation, grammar) is credited; paragraphing and structure matter.
• Marking consistent with past series; Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO6) are applied as in the spec.

Assessment style and skills in demand

• Close reading – evidence-based answers; analysis of language and structure.
• Writing – adaptation to form, audience, purpose; accuracy and range of expression.

Focus areas for 2026 revision

1. Reading – quote + explain effect; inference with evidence; summary skills.
2. Transactional writing – form, audience, purpose; paragraphing and tone.
3. Literature – language and structure analysis; quotation and effect.
4. Imaginative writing – planning, paragraphing, vocabulary, SPAG.
5. Time management – balance reading and writing; leave time to check SPAG.

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Based on current specification and examiner reports. Always use the latest Edexcel 4EA1 specification for your series.