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Cambridge (CIE) · A Level

Arabic — Language (AS only) 8680

Develop Arabic reading and writing through vocabulary, grammar and text analysis. Practise explaining ideas clearly and accurately.

13 lessons and reviews0 practice setsSyllabus 2025–2028
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What you'll cover

  • Syllabus content · topic areas
  • Assessment skills · Component 2 / Paper 2
  • Assessment skills · Component 3 / Paper 3
  • Assessment content · annual essay topics
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Published syllabus exam years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.

Syllabus 2025–2028

Cambridge International AS Level Language Arabic syllabus map

2025 archive and 2026–2028 syllabuses · exam-year-specific Component 3 topics

35 of 35 sections have teaching and practice

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Study options and assessment

13 original lessons map all 27 published topic areas, Component 2 reading/language/summary skills and the 2025–2028 annual essay topics, with explained examples and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice. This AS-only route does not include the 9680 literature or translation components. These legacy routes have published syllabuses through 2028. Cambridge's current subject pages say 9680/8680 is limited to zones 3 and 4 for June 2027–2028, and zone 4, Mauritius and the Maldives for November 2027–2028; from 2029, only Mauritius centres can enter the legacy code and international centres should use 9865. The 2028 syllabus front matter describes November availability differently from the subject-page notice, so have the exams officer confirm the exact zone and series with Cambridge. This is an original, topic-mapped learning sequence, not a complete 180-hour AS or 360-hour A Level guided course. Arabic extended writing is self-reviewed, not marked by Cambridge or given an official grade; a qualified Arabic teacher should review it. It is not a timed mock. All practice passages and prompts here are original. The 9680 literature route teaches transferable analysis but does not replace reading the exact year-specific prescribed books, editions and pages.

The 2025–2028 topic rows below follow each published syllabus year. Cambridge says 9680/8680 change to code 9865 for international centres from 2029; from 2029 the legacy codes remain available only in Mauritius. Cambridge lists 9865 for 2029–2031. These legacy routes have published syllabuses through 2028. Cambridge's current subject pages say 9680/8680 is limited to zones 3 and 4 for June 2027–2028, and zone 4, Mauritius and the Maldives for November 2027–2028; from 2029, only Mauritius centres can enter the legacy code and international centres should use 9865. The 2028 syllabus front matter describes November availability differently from the subject-page notice, so have the exams officer confirm the exact zone and series with Cambridge.

Choose your paper route

  • AS Language 8680 · stand-aloneComponent 2 + Component 3 · grades a–e

    This is the AS Language award only. It does not include the 9680 literature or prose-translation components.

Cambridge recommends prior Arabic study equivalent to IGCSE/O Level and estimates about 180 guided learning hours for AS and 360 for A Level. The number of hours varies with prior experience. Confirm exam year, zone, series and entry with your school.

View syllabus coverage

The syllabus has 27 broad topic areas and assesses Arabic reading, language accuracy, information selection and logical argument. This map gives an original starter sequence and links each topic area to learning and staged practice. Each year also has its own five Component 3 essay topics. This is an original, topic-mapped learning sequence, not a complete 180-hour AS or 360-hour A Level guided course. Arabic extended writing is self-reviewed, not marked by Cambridge or given an official grade; a qualified Arabic teacher should review it. It is not a timed mock. All practice passages and prompts here are original. The 9680 literature route teaches transferable analysis but does not replace reading the exact year-specific prescribed books, editions and pages.

Syllabus content · topic areas

Assessment skills · Component 2 / Paper 2

Assessment skills · Component 3 / Paper 3

Assessment content · annual essay topics

Assessment limitation

  • Full timed mock and official-style gradingTIMED-MOCK · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus section
    Teacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
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Assessment skills

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Lessons and worked examples

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All subject practice

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  1. 01

    Read two related Arabic passages with evidence

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  2. 02

    Use Arabic vocabulary and grammar from context

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  3. 03

    Summarise, compare and add a personal response

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  4. 04

    Plan a clear, balanced Arabic essay

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  5. 05

    Discuss relationships, family and generations

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  6. 06

    Explore daily life, places, media and food

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  7. 07

    Weigh health, work, rights and leisure

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  8. 08

    Discuss travel, education and cultural heritage

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  9. 09

    Evaluate social change, science and the environment

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  10. 10

    Prepare the five 9680/8680 essay topics for 2025

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  11. 11

    Prepare the five 9680/8680 essay topics for 2026

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  12. 12

    Prepare the five 9680/8680 essay topics for 2027

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  13. 13

    Prepare the five 9680/8680 essay topics for 2028

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These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.

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