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Cambridge · A Level

Cambridge A Level English Literature

English Literature for Cambridge A Level (syllabus 9695) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9695
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge A Level English Literature
Spec code
9695
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-25, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-25.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English (9695)

Cambridge International AS and A Level Literature in English encourages learners to enjoy reading widely and enables them to appreciate the different ways in which writers use language to communicate meaning and effect. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

AS Level: Paper 1 Drama and Poetry, Paper 2 Prose and Unseen. A Level adds Paper 3 Shakespeare and Drama and Paper 4 Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose. Set texts rotate by examination year. The current syllabus (636097-2024-2026-syllabus.pdf) is valid for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 examination series; Cambridge has already published the successor syllabus for 2027 and 2028 (721410-2027-2028-syllabus.pdf, Version 2), which carries the same four-paper structure unchanged.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Assessment components for Cambridge English Literature 9695
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Drama and Poetry 2h 50 25% Written exam
Paper 2: Prose and Unseen 2h 50 25% Written exam
Paper 3: Shakespeare and Drama 2h 50 25% Written exam
Paper 4: Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose 2h 50 25% Written exam

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-26. Weightings are % of the full A Level (Papers 1-4, sum 100%). Papers 1-2 alone certificate as a standalone AS Level, each weighted 50% of the AS Level instead (not modeled as a separate record here). A newer 2027-2028 edition has also been published for future cohorts, not modeled here.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge English Literature (9695) assessed?

Cambridge English Literature (9695) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Drama and Poetry) — 2h, 50 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Prose and Unseen) — 2h, 50 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Shakespeare and Drama) — 2h, 50 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 4 (Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose) — 2h, 50 marks, 25% of the qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-26.

The subject

English Literature teaching and study resources, organised by level, board and topic.

All English Literature at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 4 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English (9695), for the 2024-2026 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 3 of 4 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Paper 1 – Drama and Poetry

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Drama · Section B: Poetry

  2. AS 2 Paper 2 – Prose and Unseen

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Prose · Section B: Unseen

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 3 Paper 3 – Shakespeare and Drama

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Section A: Shakespeare · Section B: Drama

  2. A 4 Paper 4 – Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Section A: Pre-1900 Poetry and Prose · Section B: Post-1900 Poetry and Prose

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2024-2026 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

English Literature at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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