Plan practice for the two-paper 7180 route
Choose the correct exam-year route, understand each paper's task sequence and practise within realistic time without claiming an official score.
Exam scope and assessment notes
This is an original StudyForA learning sequence, not Cambridge material. The lessons map the published reading and writing objectives, paper tasks, and the linked 2025 grammar/rhetoric appendix. Cambridge's public page does not link that appendix for the 2026–2031 cycles, so the exact current-year grammar and rhetorical list remains pending specialist verification against current support materials and specimen mark schemes. Arabic-language teaching needs review by an Arabic subject specialist. This is not a complete 130-guided-hour course or a timed full examination. Writing and reading explanations are self-review guidance, not Cambridge marks, grades, or examiner feedback. Cambridge lists this qualification for administrative zones 3 and 4 only. The 2025 syllabus is June only; the 2026–2028 and 2029–2031 syllabuses list June and November. Confirm your zone, exam year and centre entry with Cambridge.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which route contains the 2029 examination year?
What you will learn
- Choose the syllabus for the actual examination year.
- Distinguish Paper 1 genre choices from Paper 2 reading and grammar tasks.
- Use a practice review that identifies skill gaps without claiming a Cambridge grade.
Select the right year first
7180 has one published 2025 syllabus, a 2026–2028 syllabus and a 2029–2031 syllabus. Cambridge says the 2025 route is June only; the later two list June and November, in administrative zones 3 and 4 only.
The 2029–2031 version was published in September 2026 and says there are no significant teaching changes. Still check the exact year and current syllabus before an exam.
Know what the two papers ask
Paper 1 is 1 hour 30 minutes and 50 marks: one letter, speech or report from Section A, plus one descriptive, narrative or discursive response from Section B.
Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes and 50 marks: grammar-in-context gap fill, non-fiction comprehension and an around-100-word summary, then fiction grammar/rhetoric identification and four prompted transformations. These are route facts, not a full timed mock.
Review skills rather than invent a grade
After practice, label each response by the skill: retrieve, infer, summarise, select grammar, transform, address audience, organise, or edit. Record one evidence-based success and one next step.
StudyForA does not reproduce Cambridge marking, examiner judgement or official grade boundaries. A self-check can guide study but cannot certify a result.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What can a StudyForA self-review establish?
Worked example
A learner plans a November 2027 exam. Which route and series should they check, and which two papers do they need to practise?
Show the worked solution
- Choose the cycle containing 2027.
- Check that November is listed for the cycle and zone.
- Review both Paper 1 writing choices and Paper 2 reading/grammar tasks.
Answer Use the 2026–2028 syllabus, confirm November is available for the learner's zone and centre, then practise both 50-mark, 90-minute papers. This course does not supply a full timed mock.
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 student will sit 7180 in June 2026. List the route, paper timings and the task sequence they should practise.
Give me a hint
Use the 2026–2028 cycle and keep Paper 1 separate from Paper 2.
Compare my reasoning
- Select the correct exam-year document.
- List the Paper 1 Section A and B choices.
- List the three Paper 2 sections and four transformations.
Use the 2026–2028 syllabus. Paper 1 lasts 90 minutes and includes one transactional response plus one creative/discursive response; Paper 2 lasts 90 minutes and includes grammar gap fill, non-fiction comprehension/summary, then fiction grammar/rhetoric and four transformations.
Look for these in your work
- Chooses the right year
- Separates the paper tasks
- Includes the transformation task
A learner's centre may enter a November 2025 series. What should they verify before relying on that plan?
Give me a hint
Compare the 2025 syllabus availability with the Cambridge subject-page notice.
Compare my reasoning
- Check the 2025 syllabus series.
- Check administrative zone and centre entry.
- Do not infer a November 2025 option from later cycles.
The 2025 syllabus lists June only. The learner should confirm the actual entry route with Cambridge and the centre rather than applying the later June/November availability retroactively.
Look for these in your work
- Catches the year-specific series difference
- Checks local availability
- Avoids carrying later rules backwards
After a practice set, write a three-line review with one reading strength, one grammar target and one writing next step.
Give me a hint
Use evidence from the answers rather than an unsupported grade label.
Compare my reasoning
- Name a specific correct reading choice.
- Name one grammar pattern to revisit.
- Choose a writing revision based on the prompt.
Example: I selected both stated reasons correctly; I will revisit dual case endings after missing one; I will check that my report includes the recommendation before polishing its style. This review is a study plan, not an exam grade.
Look for these in your work
- Uses evidence from practice
- Names a precise grammar target
- Chooses a relevant next step
Common mistakes
- Using the 2025-only June route for a later exam
- Confusing the 7180 reading/writing exam with 0544's four-skills papers
- Treating self-review notes as an official grade
What can you explain now?
What is Paper 2's published duration and total?
Compare with the explanation
1 hour 30 minutes and 50 marks
The paper overview gives those values.
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 in one sentence: choose the syllabus for the actual examination year.
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.