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Cambridge IGCSE Urdu Language

Urdu Language for Cambridge IGCSE (syllabus 0539) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
0539
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
IGCSE

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge IGCSE Urdu Language
Spec code
0539
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 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 IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539)

Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language encourages learners to develop practical communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Urdu. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

All candidates take Paper 1 (Reading and Writing, 67%, six exercises) and Paper 2 (Listening, 33%, four exercises). Centres can additionally enter candidates for the optional, separately-endorsed Component 5 Speaking, which does not count toward the overall qualification grade. Exams are offered in the June series only (no November series for this syllabus). Current syllabus is valid for 2025, 2026 and 2027; the published successor for 2028 and 2029 (745678-2028-2029-syllabus.pdf, Version 1) keeps the identical Paper 1/Paper 2/Component 5 structure and weightings.

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 Urdu Language 0539
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Reading and Writing (Second Language) 2h 60 67% Written exam
Paper 2: Listening (Second Language) 0h 40m 30 33% Written exam
Component 5: Speaking (optional, separately endorsed) (Second Language) 0h 11m 60 0% Oral

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-26. Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language. Component 5 Speaking is OPTIONAL and internally-assessed/externally-moderated -- it does NOT contribute to the overall IGCSE grade (separately endorsed 1-5), hence weightingPercent 0 rather than omitted. Its duration is officially "approximately 10-12 minutes" (11 used as the documented midpoint) and Paper 2's is "approximately 35-45 minutes" (40 used as the midpoint) -- both stated as ranges in the source, not fixed figures.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Urdu Language (0539) assessed?

Cambridge Urdu Language (0539) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Reading and Writing) — 2h, 60 marks, 67% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Listening) — 0h 40m, 30 marks, 33% of the qualification; Component 5 (Speaking (optional, separately endorsed)) — 0h 11m, 60 marks, 0% of the qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-26.

The subject

Urdu Language teaching and study resources, organised by level, board and topic.

All Urdu Language at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 3 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge IGCSE Urdu as a Second Language (0539), for the 2025-2027 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 2 of 3 topics.

  1. 1 Paper 1 – Reading and Writing

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Exercise 1: Short answer questions · Exercise 2: Multiple matching · Exercise 3: Note-making · Exercise 4: Summary · Exercise 5: Writing exercise · Exercise 6: Extended writing exercise

  2. 2 Paper 2 – Listening

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Exercise 1: Short answer questions · Exercise 2: Gap-fill sentences · Exercise 3: Multiple matching · Exercise 4: Multiple-choice questions

  3. 3 Component 5 – Speaking (optional, separately endorsed)

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2025-2027 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Urdu Language 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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