📚 Year 10 CAIE English: 2026 Exam Changes and Trends | 十年级CAIE英语：2026年考试变化与趋势
If you are in Year 10 now and following the CAIE IGCSE English curriculum, your final examinations will take place in 2026. This is the third year of the current First Language English syllabus (0500/0990) for the 2024–2026 cycle, and the exam structure has been significantly reshaped compared to the older 2020 syllabus. Understanding what has changed and what trends are emerging is vital for targeted preparation. This article unpacks the key updates to the reading and writing papers, the shift in coursework demands, the new grading options, and the broader pedagogical trends that define what examiners will look for in 2026.
如果你现在正读十年级，学习 CAIE IGCSE 英语课程，那么你的最终考试将在 2026 年。这是当前第一语言英语教学大纲（0500/0990）2024–2026 周期的第三年，与 2020 年旧版大纲相比，考试结构已经发生了显著的重塑。弄清楚什么变了、什么趋势正在形成，对有针对性的备考至关重要。本文将拆解阅读与写作试卷的关键更新、课程作业要求的转向、新的评分选项，以及界定 2026 年评分员将寻找什么更广泛的教学趋势。
1. New Syllabus Framework for 2024–2026 | 2024–2026 新考纲框架
All Year 10 students heading for the 2026 exam series will be assessed under the revised Cambridge IGCSE First Language English syllabus (0500 for A*–G or 0990 for 9–1). The core architecture still includes paper-based reading and writing examinations alongside optional coursework or speaking and listening components. However, the weightings and the nature of assessment tasks have been deliberately rebalanced to prize integrated skills over isolated ones. The revised assessment objectives now place equal emphasis on reading and writing, each contributing 50% to the final grade if no coursework is taken.
所有将参加 2026 年考试系列的十年级学生都将依据修订后的剑桥 IGCSE 第一语言英语教学大纲（0500 为 A*–G，0990 为 9–1）接受评估。核心结构依然包含纸笔阅读和写作考试，外加可选的课程作业或口语听力部分。然而，分项权重和评价任务的性质已被有意地重新平衡，以推崇整合性技能，而非孤立技能。修订后的评估目标现在对阅读和写作同等重视，如果不采取课程作业，两者各占最终成绩的 50%。
The syllabus document makes clear that candidates must demonstrate the ability to read critically, synthesise information from multiple sources, produce organised written responses for different purposes and audiences, and exercise control over a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. This integrated ethos signals a move away from formulaic teaching and towards authentic literacy development.
教学大纲明确指出，考生必须展现出批判性阅读的能力、整合多个来源的信息、为不同的目的与受众创作结构清晰的书面答复，以及自如运用丰富的词汇和多样的句式。这种整合性理念标志着从公式化教学向真实读写能力发展的转变。
2. Changes to Reading Comprehension (Paper 1) | 阅读理解变化（试卷一）
The most noticeable change in Paper 1 (2 hours, 50 marks) is that there are now three compulsory questions instead of four. Question 1 is based on a single text, Text A, and targets explicit and implicit comprehension alongside summary writing skills. Question 2 asks candidates to analyse the writer's use of language and structure in Text B. The game-changer is Question 3: it requires a comparison of the content and viewpoints presented across Text A and Text B. Previously, such cross-text synthesis was not a dedicated requirement.
试卷一（2 小时，50 分）最显著的变化是，现在有三道必答题，而非四道。第 1 题基于单一文本——文本 A，考查显性与隐性理解，以及摘要写作技能。第 2 题要求考生分析文本 B 中作者的语言和结构运用。彻底改变的是第 3 题：它要求比较文本 A 和文本 B 中所呈现的内容与观点。以前，这种跨文本综合并不是一个专门的要求。
Mark schemes now reward precise, embedded quotations and focused explanations of effect. Examiners expect you to avoid paraphrasing the whole passage and instead zoom in on specific word choices, imagery, and sentence forms. Comparison questions demand a balanced treatment of both texts, with connectives used to show similarity or contrast (e.g. 'whereas', 'similarly', 'in contrast').
评分方案现在奖励精准、嵌入式的引用以及对效果的集中解释。评分员期待你避免整段转述，转而聚焦特定的选词、意象和句式。比较题要求对两篇文章进行平衡处理，并使用连接词表示相似或对比（例如 'whereas'、'similarly'、'in contrast'）。
3. Writing Paper Makeover (Paper 2) | 写作试卷革新（试卷二）
Paper 2 (2 hours, 50 marks) has been streamlined into two sections. Section A is a directed writing task that draws on one or more texts provided within the paper. You might be asked to write a letter, speech, article, or report blending content from the stimulus material with your own ideas. Section B offers a choice between two composition tasks: a descriptive piece or a narrative piece. The previous option of writing an argumentative or discursive essay has been removed.
试卷二（2 小时，50 分）已精简为两个部分。A 部分为定向写作任务，依托试卷内提供的一篇或多篇文本。你可能会被要求写一封信、一篇演讲稿、文章或报告，将刺激材料中的内容与自身的想法融合起来。B 部分则是在两道作文题中选择其一：一篇描写性文章或一篇叙事性文章。以往选择写议论文或论说文的选项已被删除。
This reshaping reflects a curriculum focus on crafting imagery, evoking atmosphere, shaping character, and varying sentence rhythms—skills that reveal genuine command of language. The directed writing task also tests your ability to select, reorganise, and transform information, mirroring real-world communication scenarios.
这一重塑反映了课程的重点转向营造意象、唤起氛围、塑造人物形象以及变化句式节奏——这些是显露真正语言掌控力的技能。定向写作任务还考查你选择、重组和转化信息的能力，模拟了真实世界的沟通场景。
4. Coursework and Speaking Options | 课程作业与口语选项
For schools that opt for Component 3 (coursework portfolio), learners submit three assignments: one informative/analytical piece, one imaginative/descriptive piece, and one response to a text. This replaces the older, more flexible portfolio of three unspecified writing tasks. The new structure ensures varied genre coverage and consistent standards. Coursework is internally moderated and externally moderated by Cambridge, and it accounts for 50% of the final mark, replacing Paper 1 and Paper 2 entirely for those candidates.
对于选择部分三（课程作业组合）的学校，学习者提交三份作业：一篇信息性/分析性文章、一篇想象性/描写性文章，以及一篇针对文本的回应。这取代了旧的、更灵活的三篇未指定写作任务的组合。新的结构确保了多样体裁的覆盖和一致的标准。课程作业由校内评估、剑桥外部审核，对于这些考生，它取代试卷一和试卷二，占最终分数的 50%。
Component 4 (Speaking and Listening) is separately endorsed and does not contribute to the overall syllabus grade. It is awarded a separate grade from 1 (high) to 5 (low). In 2026, more schools are likely to adopt this component as a way to provide a richer profile of student skills, especially as university admissions increasingly value oral communication evidence.
部分四（口语与听力）为单项认证，不计入大纲总成绩。它被单独授予从 1（高）到 5（低）的等级。到 2026 年，可能会有更多学校采用这一部分，以提供更丰富的学生技能画像，尤其是在大学招生越来越看重口头沟通能力证明的情况下。
5. Grading: A*–G vs 9–1 | 评分等级：A*–G 与 9–1
CAIE offers two parallel grading scales for First Language English: 0500 uses A*–G, while 0990 uses 9–1. The content and exam papers are identical; only the reporting scale differs. The 9–1 scale provides finer differentiation at the top end, with Grade 9 sitting above A*. By 2026, many schools will have fully migrated to the 9–1 syllabus, and universities are increasingly referencing 9–1 grades in their entry requirements.
CAIE 为第一语言英语提供两种并行的评分等级：0500 采用 A*–G，而 0990 采用 9–1。内容与试卷完全相同，仅报告量表不同。9–1 量表在顶端提供了更精细的区分，9 级位于 A* 之上。到 2026 年，许多学校将完全迁移至 9–1 大纲，大学在入学要求中也越来越多地引用 9–1 等级。
Whether your school enters you for 0500 or 0990, the standard of performance expected is the same. The key is to know which syllabus code you are registered under so that you understand how your result will be reported. The boundary-setting mechanism for 0990 ensures that Grades 4, 5, and 6 broadly align with previous C, B, and low A thresholds, but the top Grades 7, 8, and 9 demand exceptionally high levels of precision and flair.
无论你的学校为你报名 0500 还是 0990，所期望的表现水准是相同的。关键是知道你所注册的课程代码，从而了解成绩将如何报告。0990 的分数线机制确保 4、5、6 级大体对应原来的 C、B、低 A 门槛，但最高的 7、8、9 级要求极高的精确度与才情。
6. Increased Emphasis on Comparative Skills | 比较技能的重要性提升
The introduction of a dedicated comparison task in Paper 1 is not a fleeting trend—it represents a fundamental shift in how reading is assessed. Candidates must quickly identify thematic links, contrasting tones, and differing authorial perspectives. Simply listing similarities or differences is insufficient; you need to analyse the how and why behind those connections.
试卷一中引入专门的比较任务并非短暂的趋势——它代表着阅读理解评估方式的根本转变。考生必须迅速识别主题关联、对照语气，以及不同的作者视角。仅仅罗列相似点或不同点是不够的；你需要分析这些联系背后的方式与原因。
To excel, practise reading two nonfiction extracts side by side on the same topic, such as a news report and a blog post, or a formal speech and an interview transcript. Highlight shifts in register, use of statistics, anecdotal evidence, and emotional appeal. Then craft comparative paragraphs using topic sentences that explicitly signal the relationship (e.g. 'Both texts use expert voices to build credibility, but Text A adopts a more measured tone while Text B relies on charged diction').
要想出色发挥，可以练习同时阅读同一主题的两篇非虚构类摘录，例如一篇新闻报道与一篇博客文章，或一篇正式演讲与一篇采访记录。重点标出语域的变化、统计数据、轶事证据与情感诉求的运用。然后写出比较段落，使用明确提示关系的主题句（例如“两篇文章都借专家之声来建立可信度，但文本 A 采取了更审慎的语气，而文本 B 则依赖富有感染力的措辞”）。
7. Shift from Argumentative to Creative Writing | 从议论文转向创意写作
The removal of argumentative and discursive essays from Section B of Paper 2 is one of the most debated changes. The rationale is that creative writing tasks—description and narration—more authentically assess a candidate's stylistic range, vocabulary, and ability to engage a reader. Argumentation has not disappeared entirely; it lives on within the directed writing task, where you may need to present a balanced case or a persuasive pitch, but always in a specific, practical format.
试卷二 B 部分删除议论文与论说文是最受争议的变化之一。其理据在于，创意写作任务——描写和叙述——能更真实地评估考生的文体范围、词汇量以及吸引读者的能力。议论并未完全消失；它存在于定向写作任务之中，你可能需要在那里提出一个平衡的论点或进行有说服力的推介，但总是以特定的实用格式呈现。
This trend rewards students who read widely across fiction genres, experiment with varied sentence structures, and maintain a 'writer's notebook' of sensory details and character snapshots. Examiners look for controlled paragraphing, cohesive devices, and an authentic voice—from a subtle shift in perspective in a narrative to precise, layered description that makes a scene vivid without being overwritten.
这一趋势奖励那些广泛阅读小说体裁、尝试多样句式结构、并维护一本记录感官细节和人物速写的“作家笔记本”的学生。评分员寻找的要点包括条理清晰的段落划分、衔接手段，以及真实的语气——从叙事中视角的微妙转换，到精准且层次分明的描写，能让场景生动而不矫饰。
8. Authenticity and Plagiarism Checks | 原创性与抄袭检查
With a greater focus on coursework and creative writing, CAIE has also ramped up its authenticity controls. From 2024 onwards, all coursework submissions must be accompanied by a completed Candidate Record Form, and schools are required to use plagiarism detection software or rigorous internal verification. Any piece that appears formulaic, heavily template-driven, or suspiciously close to online material will trigger an investigation. This is especially important for the 2026 cohort, as centres have now had years to align with the new integrity expectations.
随着对课程作业和创意写作的更大关注，CAIE 也加强了其真实性控制。从 2024 年起，所有提交的课程作业都必须附上一份完整的考生记录表，而学校被要求使用抄袭检测软件或进行严格的内部核查。任何看起来公式化、严重模板驱动、或与网络材料过度相似的作业都会引发调查。这对 2026 年考生群尤为重要，因为中心已有数年时间来适应新的诚信期望。
Students working on the coursework portfolio should therefore keep early drafts, research notes, and planning sheets as evidence of personal engagement. The move also encourages teachers to design more bespoke writing prompts that cannot be easily matched with online exemplars. In the final exams, candidates must avoid pre-learned 'perfect' paragraphs that fail to respond closely to the specific prompt—generic memorisation is consistently penalised under the new mark schemes.
因此，从事课程作业组合的学生应保留初稿、研究笔记和规划表作为个人参与的证明。这一变化也鼓励教师设计更定制化的写作任务提示，使其难以与网络范例直接匹配。在终端考试中，考生必须避免预先背诵的、未能紧密回应具体题目的“完美”段落——在新的评分方案下，套用背诵内容将一再被扣分。
9. Emerging Trends in Text Selection | 文本选择的新趋势
Over the 2024–2026 cycle, the unseen texts in Paper 1 have increasingly reflected contemporary global themes: sustainability, digital life, cultural identity, and mental well-being. Texts are drawn from high-quality journalism, memoirs, travel writing, and corporate communications. There is also a noticeable tendency to pair texts from different centuries or cultural perspectives, making the comparison task more nuanced.
在 2024–2026 周期内，试卷一中的陌生文本越来越反映当代全球主题：可持续性、数字生活、文化认同和心理健康。文本取材于优质新闻报道、回忆录、旅行写作和商务沟通。还有一个显著的趋势是，将不同世纪或文化视角的文本配对，使比较任务更加微妙。
For directed writing in Paper 2, the stimulus materials often mimic real-world scenarios: a college application statement, a community newsletter, an environmental campaign brief. This suggests that examiners are valuing functional literacy alongside literary flair. Candidates who are comfortable moving between formal register and a more personal tone, depending on the task, will have a distinct advantage.
对于试卷二的定向写作，刺激材料常常模拟真实情境：大学申请陈述、社区通讯、环保运动简报等。这暗示评分员在看重文学才情的同时，也看重功能性读写能力。能够根据任务需要在正式语域与更个人化的语气之间游刃有余的考生，将具备明显优势。
10. How to Prepare for the 2026 Exams Successfully | 如何成功备考 2026
Start by systematically working through the specimen papers released by CAIE for the 2024–2026 syllabus. Time each question carefully: 30 minutes for Question 1, 40 minutes for Question 2, and 35 minutes for the comparison question is a sensible breakdown, leaving time for proofreading. In writing, draft quick plans that outline your choice of imagery, narrative perspective, and structural framework before you begin.
系统性地使用 CAIE 为 2024–2026 大纲发布的样卷开始准备。仔细为每道题计时：第 1 题 30 分钟，第 2 题 40 分钟，比较题 35 分钟是一个合理的时间分配，留出校对时间。在写作中，动笔前快速起草提纲，列出意象选择、叙事视角和结构框架。
Build a vocabulary bank of precise and varied words, but more importantly practise embedding them naturally in your own sentences. Read aloud your own work to catch repetitious patterns and unclear phrasing. For the comparison question, create a comparative plan grid listing key features from each text side by side. Peer marking using the official Cambridge mark schemes is another powerful strategy, as it helps you internalise what differentiates a top-band response from a mid-band one.
建立一个精准且丰富的词汇库，但更重要的是练习将这些词汇自然地嵌入自己的句子中。大声朗读自己的作品，找出重复的模式和含混的措辞。对于比较题，创建一个比较规划网格，将每篇文本的关键特征并排列出。根据剑桥官方评分方案进行同伴互评是另一项有力的策略，它能帮助你内化顶级与中等回答之间的区别。
11. Looking Ahead: Future Developments | 展望未来：未来的发展
While the 2024–2026 syllabus will still govern the 2026 exams, CAIE has signalled an ongoing review of digital assessment possibilities. Though a full-scale on-screen examination for English is unlikely before 2028, pilot schemes in other subjects hint at eventual typing-based composition tasks and integrated audio for listening components. For now, the emphasis remains on honing your handwritten composition and reading strategies.
尽管 2026 年的考试仍由 2024–2026 大纲管理，CAIE 已表明将持续审视数字化评估的可能性。虽然在 2028 年之前英语科目不太可能进行大规模屏幕考试，但其他学科的试点方案暗示了最终可能出现基于打字的写作任务和听力部分中的嵌入式音频。就目前而言，重点仍然是磨练手写作文和阅读策略。
Another trend to watch is the growing role of AI literacy. Cambridge is aware of generative AI tools and their impact on student writing. While the board has not yet introduced specific AI-statement requirements in IGCSE English, it promotes an ethos where original thought, personal reflection, and handwritten drafting remain central. In your preparation, focus on developing your own critical thinking and expressive range, because these are the attributes that will continue to be rewarded regardless of technological change.
另一个值得关注的趋势是 AI 素养日益增长的作用。剑桥意识到生成式人工智能工具及其对学生写作的影响。虽然考局尚未在 IGCSE 英语中引入具体的 AI 声明要求，但它推行的是一种以原创思想、个人反思和手写草稿为核心的理念。在你的备考中，专注于发展自己的批判性思维和表达范围，因为无论技术如何变迁，这些特质将继续得到回报。
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