IGCSE English - Second Language 0510 — March 2020 Past Papers, Topics & Exam Tips
The Cambridge IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) March 2020 session consisted of 4 papers. This page links to every question paper, mark scheme, grade threshold and session feedback document released by Cambridge for this session.
Study Resources for English - Second Language
Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:
0510 March 2020 Papers
The recordings for Papers 3 and 4 (Listening) are not available for this session, so you can work through their question papers and mark schemes, but not with the audio.
0510 Paper 1 - Reading and Writing (Core)
1 hr 30 min • 60 marks
0510 Paper 2 - Reading and Writing (Extended)
2 hr • 80 marks
0510 Paper 3 - Listening (Core)
About 40 min • 30 marks
0510 Paper 4 - Listening (Extended)
About 50 min • 40 marks
0510 March 2020 at a glance
- Papers: 4
Get English - Second Language Study Tips
Join students preparing for 0510. Get exam reminders, new past paper alerts and revision resources by email.
✓ You're subscribed!
Revising with a friend? Send them these past papers.
0510 Study Tips & FAQ
What are paper variants?
Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.
Which variant you sit is set by your school's administrative zone: in the November 2026 timetable, for 0510, Variant 1 is sat in Zones 2 and 3, Variant 2 in Zones 4 and 5, and Variant 3 in Zones 1 and 6. Which zones sit which variant differs from subject to subject, so ask your exams officer which zone your school is in.
All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.
How to use Mark Schemes effectively
Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.
Tips:
- Look for key words that must appear in your answer
- Note how many points are needed for each mark
- Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)
Understanding Grade Thresholds
Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.
How to use thresholds:
- Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
- Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
- Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
- Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends
How to Use IGCSE English - Second Language Past Papers
📝 Timed Practice
Complete papers under exam conditions. 0510 Paper 2 (Reading and Writing, Extended) is 2 hr - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.
✅ Self-Marking
Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in English - Second Language responses.
🎯 Grade Targets
Cambridge's grade threshold table for this session is not in our files. See the grade thresholds for every 0510 session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download IGCSE English - Second Language March 2020 past papers?
Are 0510 mark schemes included?
What papers are available for IGCSE English - Second Language 0510?
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Continue Studying English - Second Language
Prepare for these topics before attempting the past papers:
Copyright & Educational Use
All examination materials including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports are the intellectual property of Cambridge Assessment International Education.
We share these materials freely for educational purposes to help students prepare for their examinations. This platform is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.
For official examination resources, registration, and support, please visit cambridgeinternational.org.