Malay — First Language 0696
Develop close reading and clear, purposeful writing. Explore how language works through texts, original examples and practice.
What you'll cover
- Paper 1 · Reading
- Paper 1 · Directed Writing
- Paper 2 · Section 1
- Paper 2 · Section 2
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 · Writing
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 · Assessment
Withdrawal notice · last assessment June 2027. Exam entry is limited to the published years through this final series; confirm your centre's eligibility with Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language Malay 0696 syllabus map
2025–2027 Version 1 · withdrawn after June 2027
11 of 11 Mapped teaching foundations · final June 2027 cohort have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
15 original lessons provide 45 guided, independent and application tasks. All 11 mapped areas have linked teaching. The full-length practice includes an original 861-word fiction passage with eleven explained questions, two linked non-fiction texts totalling 406 words, a 276-word directed-letter model and four composition models of 309–331 words. These whitespace-based counts are approximate practice checks. Four alternative composition titles have explained outlines, clearly distinguished from complete models. This is a teaching foundation, not a fully validated examination course: further practice sets, the full reading-genre range, qualified Malay first-language teacher review, reliable human marking and sustained guided study remain pending. Cambridge has announced withdrawal after the June 2027 final assessment, with availability limited to zones 4 and 5.
Final assessment: June 2027. Available only in Cambridge administrative zones 4 and 5. Confirm current entry with your exam centre.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 1 · Reading and Directed Writing2 hours · 50 marks · 50%
Two compulsory sections: a fiction comprehension and language analysis based on an approximately 850–950-word text; then a 250–350-word letter, article or speech based on two thematically linked non-fiction texts.
- Paper 2 · Composition2 hours · 50 marks · 50%
Answer one argumentative or discursive composition and one descriptive or narrative composition. Each is about 300–400 words. Dictionaries are not permitted.
View syllabus coverage
Follows Cambridge IGCSE First Language Malay 0696 Version 1 for the final June 2027 assessment. Both externally assessed two-hour papers are required and each is 50%. Paper 1 combines reading and directed writing; Paper 2 requires two compositions. Assessment materials are in Malay and dictionaries are not permitted. All 11 mapped areas have linked teaching, including original exam-length reading and writing practice. Linked teaching does not certify mastery: qualified Malay-teacher review, wider genre study and further assessment sets remain outstanding. Cambridge has announced withdrawal after June 2027; entry is limited to administrative zones 4 and 5.
Paper 1 · Reading
- Explicit meaning and accurate comprehensionR1-EXPLICIT
- Implicit meaning, attitude and viewpointR2-INFERENCE
- Language, imagery, structure and writer effectsR4-STYLE
- Summarise and select information for a purposeR5-SUMMARY
- Analyse and evaluate facts, ideas and opinionsR3-EVALUATE
Paper 1 · Directed Writing
- Use two sources in a directed responseDIRECTED-SYNTHESIS
Paper 2 · Section 1
- Argumentative and discursive compositionW1-W4-ARGUMENT
Paper 2 · Section 2
- Descriptive and narrative compositionW1-W4-DESCRIPTION
Paper 1 and Paper 2 · Writing
- Vocabulary, sentence structures, register and accuracyW3-W5-ACCURACY
Paper 1 and Paper 2 · Assessment
- Understand task forms, word ranges and assessment structurePAPER-STRUCTURE
Assessment practice
- Full-length timed passages, source tasks and compositionsFULL-LENGTH-PRACTICE
Assessment depth gap
- Further calibrated reading and writing setsFURTHER-PRACTICE-SETS · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Quality gap
- Qualified Malay first-language reviewMALAY-SPECIALIST-REVIEW · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Assessment gap
- Human examiner-standard writing feedbackEXAMINER-MARKING · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Course breadth gap
- Full reading genre range and guided learning hoursGENRE-BREADTH · Assessment limitation, not a syllabus sectionTeacher, centre, or specialist assessment required
Entry information
- Withdrawal, zone and final-series eligibilityENTRY-STATUS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus sectionLessons not available yet
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Reading and Directed WritingPaper 1 · 10 lessonsReading: locate explicit meaning and answer preciselyReading: infer meaning, attitude and viewpointReading: explain imagery, language and structureReading: select and summarise relevant informationReading: compare evidence, opinion and biasDirected writing: transform source ideas for an audienceStandard Malay: grammar, spelling, punctuation and registerExam planning: match the response to each paperExam-length reading: evidence, interpretation and effectsExam-length directed writing: evaluate two sources
The two linked original sets can be combined for a self-timed two-hour rehearsal. They are not a calibrated Cambridge paper or official mark scheme; further sets, specialist language review and human marking remain outstanding.
- CompositionPaper 2 · 7 lessonsComposition: build an argumentative caseComposition: weigh both sides in a discursive responseComposition: create a vivid descriptive sceneComposition: shape a coherent narrativeStandard Malay: grammar, spelling, punctuation and registerExam planning: match the response to each paperExam-length composition: complete and review both sections
The original two-section set has eight title choices, four full 300–400-word genre models and four explained alternative outlines. Write one response per section in a self-timed rehearsal; further sets and qualified human marking remain necessary.
Lessons and worked examples
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- 01
Reading: locate explicit meaning and answer precisely
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
Reading: infer meaning, attitude and viewpoint
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Not started - 03
Reading: explain imagery, language and structure
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Not started - 04
Reading: select and summarise relevant information
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Not started - 05
Reading: compare evidence, opinion and bias
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Not started - 06
Directed writing: transform source ideas for an audience
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Not started - 07
Composition: build an argumentative case
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Not started - 08
Composition: weigh both sides in a discursive response
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Not started - 09
Composition: create a vivid descriptive scene
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Not started - 10
Composition: shape a coherent narrative
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Not started - 11
Standard Malay: grammar, spelling, punctuation and register
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Not started - 12
Exam planning: match the response to each paper
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 13
Exam-length reading: evidence, interpretation and effects
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Not started - 14
Exam-length directed writing: evaluate two sources
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Not started - 15
Exam-length composition: complete and review both sections
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Not started
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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Browse 11 topics →Written practice with explained models
Write your own answers before opening the models. These original practice lessons need teacher marking and do not provide an automatic grade.