Plan practice across all three components
Match study practice to the exact Paper 1, Paper 2 and Speaking formats, weights and response demands.
Exam scope and assessment notes
This is an original online starter sequence, not the full approximately 130 guided learning hours, a complete timed specimen paper, an official Cambridge mark scheme, or a Cambridge grade. All Bahasa Indonesia teaching examples and task answers need review by a qualified Bahasa Indonesia teacher before publication. Writing self-checks are practice guidance, not calibrated marks. Speaking recordings stay in the open page and are not uploaded or scored; a centre teacher/examiner assesses Component 3 and Cambridge externally moderates it.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which approach best supports this skill?
What you will learn
- Identify the task format and marks before choosing a strategy.
- Balance preparation across reading, writing and speaking.
- Use syllabus-year materials and keep practice distinct from official assessment.
Know the component balance
Paper 1 Reading and Understanding is 1 hour 45 minutes, 50 marks and 35%; it contains four reading exercises. Paper 2 Reading and Writing is 1 hour 45 minutes, 60 marks and 45%; it includes a 130–180-word summary and a 350–500-word composition. Component 3 Speaking is about 9–11 minutes, 40 marks and 20%.
AO weights are Reading 45%, Writing 35% and Speaking 20%. Within Paper 1 all marks are reading; Paper 2 is 20% reading and 80% writing; Component 3 is speaking.
Plan practice around the exam year
Cambridge publishes 2025–2027 and 2028–2030 syllabuses. The 2028–2030 syllabus says there are no significant teaching changes, but use the syllabus and specimen materials for the candidate's exam year.
This site offers topic lessons and original short exercises, not four complete timed papers, official Cambridge questions or official grades. Ask a teacher to review writing and speaking against the relevant year's requirements.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Which part carries the largest overall qualification weighting?
Worked example
A learner has 45 minutes today and feels unsure about summary writing, but has a speaking assessment later. Plan two short activities that each address a different skill.
Show the worked solution
- Use one activity for selecting and organising written points.
- Use the second to rehearse speaking from key points.
- Leave time to review and ask for human language feedback.
Answer Possible plan: 25 minutes selecting source points and drafting a short summary plan; 15 minutes rehearsing a presentation from bullet points, then 5 minutes noting one improvement. This is a study plan, not an exam timing recommendation.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
A learner practises only vocabulary lists. Name one reading, one writing and one speaking task needed for a more balanced week.
Give me a hint
Choose one task from each assessed skill.
Compare my reasoning
- Select a Paper 1 response format.
- Select a Paper 2 writing format.
- Select a Component 3 rehearsal.
Example: practise note-making from a short original text; plan a summary for a stated audience; rehearse a cultural presentation from key points. This covers reading, writing and speaking.
Look for these in your work
- Includes reading
- Includes writing
- Includes speaking
A student plans revision based on Paper 1 being worth 50% of the grade. Correct the plan using the published assessment overview.
Give me a hint
Compare the overall component weights.
Compare my reasoning
- Recall the Paper 1 weighting.
- Recall the Paper 2 and speaking weights.
- Adjust the study plan accordingly.
Paper 1 is 35%, Paper 2 is 45% and Component 3 Speaking is 20%. Paper 2 has the greatest single component weighting; practice should also reflect the learner's needs and the separate skills.
Look for these in your work
- Corrects all three weights
- Identifies Paper 2 as the largest component
- Avoids using weighting as the only revision criterion
A private candidate plans to enter 0538 but has no speaking arrangement at the centre yet. What should they confirm before relying on this course for an exam entry?
Give me a hint
The speaking test and moderation arrangements are part of entry eligibility.
Compare my reasoning
- Ask the accommodating centre about conducting and assessing Component 3.
- Confirm the zone and June series for the intended year.
- Verify entry rules with the exam officer and current Cambridge guidance.
They should confirm that an accommodating centre can conduct and assess the Speaking test and submit the required sample and paperwork for external moderation, then verify the zone, June series and exam-year entry with the centre. A website course cannot make the entry.
Look for these in your work
- Covers speaking arrangements
- Checks zone and series
- Directs entry confirmation to the centre
Common mistakes
- Practising only the most comfortable component
- Treating a self-check as a Cambridge mark
- Using the wrong syllabus year or assuming every centre can enter the code
What can you explain now?
Which part carries the largest overall qualification weighting?
Compare with the explanation
Paper 2 Reading and Writing at 45%
Its published weighting is greater than Paper 1 at 35% and Component 3 at 20%.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Explain one decision that helps you identify the task format and marks before choosing a strategy.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.