Chinese — Second Language 0523

Choose your paper route

• Exams in 2026–2027Paper 1 Reading and Writing · Paper 2 Listening · Component 3 Speaking

  Use the 2026–2027 syllabus: Paper 1 is 2 hours, Paper 2 is about 35–45 minutes, and Component 3 is about 10–13 minutes. Cambridge specifies the June series only. Private candidates may enter if an accommodating centre can conduct, assess and record Component 3 Speaking and submit the required sample and paperwork for external moderation. Confirm the exam year, administrative-zone timetable and centre arrangements with Cambridge and the exams officer. This is Chinese as a Second Language 0523, assessed in Mandarin; the current syllabus cannot be combined in one series with First Language Chinese 0509 or Mandarin Foreign Language 0547.

• Exams in 2028–2029Paper 1 Reading and Writing · Paper 2 Listening · Component 3 Speaking

  The 2028–2029 syllabus reports no significant changes affecting teaching. Keep the same three-component structure and verify the exact centre timetable and speaking window. Cambridge specifies the June series only. Private candidates may enter if an accommodating centre can conduct, assess and record Component 3 Speaking and submit the required sample and paperwork for external moderation. Confirm the exam year, administrative-zone timetable and centre arrangements with Cambridge and the exams officer. This is Chinese as a Second Language 0523, assessed in Mandarin; the current syllabus cannot be combined in one series with First Language Chinese 0509 or Mandarin Foreign Language 0547.

Cambridge recommends a broad prior curriculum such as Cambridge Lower Secondary or an equivalent national framework and about 130 guided learning hours. This shorter StudyForA sequence is a starter, not a complete programme.

Practice the papers

• Reading and WritingPaper 1 · 10 lessons
  Select details for an information-transfer taskRead for gist and supporting detailConnect related ideas across a textInfer purpose, intention and feelingWrite a clear functional messageOrganise ideas with paragraphs and linksUse vocabulary and grammar accuratelyControl characters and punctuationMatch register, format and audienceDevelop coherent paragraphs

  2 hours · 60 marks · 60% · externally assessed · Mandarin responses · reading texts and questions printed in simplified and traditional forms; candidates may write in either · dictionaries not allowed. Exercise 1 information transfer 8; Exercise 2 short answers 12; Exercise 3 multiple matching 10; Exercise 4 functional writing 100–120 characters, 8; Exercise 5 extended writing 250–300 characters, 22.

• ListeningPaper 2 · 4 lessons
  Listen for selected informationUnderstand spoken ideas, opinions and attitudesTrack connections and correct spoken informationInfer a speaker's intention and feelings

  Approximately 35–45 minutes · 30 marks · 20% · externally assessed · Mandarin audio only · candidates hear each exercise twice · invigilator controls Cambridge recordings · dictionaries not allowed. Exercise 1 short answers 6; Exercise 2 gap fill 8; Exercise 3 information correction 8; Exercise 4 discussion multiple choice 8. StudyForA playback is synthetic practice, not official audio.

• SpeakingComponent 3 · 9 lessons
  Present a short, clear topicDevelop spoken answers with linksUse a useful range of spoken languagePractise pronunciation and intonationTake part in a responsive conversationSpeaking topics · education, careers and relationshipsSpeaking topics · society, health, leisure and technologySpeaking topics · places, travel and the environmentSpeaking topics · cultural diversity and traditions

  Approximately 10–13 minutes · 60 marks · 20% · Mandarin only · internally assessed by a centre teacher/examiner, recorded for all candidates and externally moderated. Part 1 presentation 2–3 minutes, 20 marks; Part 2 topic conversation 4–5 minutes, 20 marks; Part 3 general conversation 4–5 minutes over two or three topics, 20 marks. StudyForA rehearsal does not grade the component.