Pearson Edexcel A Level Arabic (9AA0) is assessed through three written papers: translation and reading with a research question, translation into Arabic with essays on two set works, and a combined listening, reading and writing paper. Unlike GCSE, there is no speaking exam.
That makes A Level Arabic a strong option for students who read and write MSA well, but it is a big step up from GCSE. Students study two works in depth, carry out an independent research project, and write analytical essays in Arabic without a dictionary. Here is what each part involves and how to prepare.
A Level Arabic at a glance
The qualification was first taught from September 2018, with the first assessment in 2020. All facts below come from the Pearson Edexcel A Level Arabic specification. Check the current version before you plan, as details and guidance can be updated.
| Paper | What it tests | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Translation into English, reading comprehension, and a written response in Arabic based on the student's research | 2 hours 30 minutes | 80 | 40% |
| Paper 2 | Translation into Arabic, and written responses to two set works | 2 hours 40 minutes | 110 | 30% |
| Paper 3 | Listening, reading and writing | 2 hours 15 minutes | 60 | 30% |
No speaking exam: what that means
Speaking is not directly assessed in A Level Arabic. This surprises many families, because most A Level languages include an oral. For a heritage speaker whose spoken Arabic is stronger than their written Arabic, it means the qualification rewards exactly the skills they may find hardest: reading, writing and translation.
It does not mean speaking is irrelevant. Listening is tested in Paper 3, and discussing texts aloud is still one of the most effective ways to prepare essays. But students should plan their time around written accuracy.
The themes
Content is organised around four broad themes about Arabic-speaking societies: artistic culture, societal change, political culture, and work and citizenship. These themes run through the reading, listening and translation material. Students should build vocabulary and background knowledge on each, rather than preparing only the set works.
Paper 2: the two set works
Students study two works from a prescribed list. The combination must be either two literary texts, or one literary text and one film. Two films is not allowed. The prescribed list is published in the specification, so check it for the current titles.
In the exam, students write two essays in Arabic, one on each work. Current guidance suggests roughly 270–320 words each; check the specification for the latest guidance. No dictionary is allowed, so key vocabulary for themes, characters and techniques must be learned in advance.
Choosing works well matters. A film can be easier to revisit than a long novel, but students still need to analyse it, not just retell it. Ask the teacher which works they know most thoroughly and which suit the student's reading level.
Once the two works are chosen, read or watch each one at least twice: once for the story, and once with a notebook for themes, key moments and useful Arabic phrases. Students who build these notes steadily over the year find essay practice in Year 13 far less stressful than those who leave the works until the final term.
The research question
Paper 1 includes a written response in Arabic based on independent research. The student chooses a subject linked to the themes or to an Arabic-speaking country, researches it using Arabic sources, and then writes about it under exam conditions.
This is where good students stand out. A focused question, genuine Arabic sources and a clear argument count for far more than a broad topic learned by heart. Start early: the strongest research questions grow out of months of reading, not a weekend of searching.
The jump from GCSE
Students who earned a high grade at GCSE are often surprised by the step up. Here is how the demands change:
| Area | GCSE Arabic | A Level Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | A full paper, 25% of the grade | Not directly assessed |
| Topics | Personal and everyday themes | Society, culture, politics and work |
| Texts | Short passages | Two full works, plus authentic articles |
| Writing | Descriptive and opinion responses | Analytical essays and a research-based response |
| Translation | Short passages each way | Longer, more complex translations each way |
| Grammar | Core structures | Accurate, varied, complex structures |
If your child's GCSE was mainly carried by speaking ability, strengthen grammar and essay writing over the summer before Year 12. Our guide to Arabic grammar basics is a useful refresher, and the GCSE Arabic complete guide shows where the GCSE foundations sit.
How to prepare, term by term
- Before Year 12: read short Arabic news articles weekly; revise grammar; start a vocabulary notebook organised by theme.
- Year 12: study the first set work in depth; practise translation both ways every week; start thinking about a research subject.
- Year 12 summer: finalise the research question and gather Arabic sources.
- Year 13: study the second work; write timed essays; complete full past papers from the exam board's website.
A Level Arabic is normally sat in the summer series; confirm the current timetable with your school or exam centre.
A Level Arabic and university applications
A Level Arabic counts as a full A Level. Whether it helps a particular application depends on the course and university, so check each university's entry requirements. Our guide to choosing A Level subjects for UK university explains how to weigh subjects, and the UCAS Year 12–13 timeline shows how exam preparation fits alongside applications.
When this isn't the right route
A Level Arabic may not be right if your child's main goal is spoken fluency, since speaking is not directly assessed. It may also be a stretch for a student who scraped a pass at GCSE and has no regular Arabic reading habit; a year of focused reading and writing first may serve them better.
And not every student needs a tutor. A student with a specialist Arabic teacher at school, strong reading habits and good essay skills in English can often prepare well on their own. Outside help makes most sense for private candidates, for students without a specialist teacher, or when essays and translation into Arabic are clearly behind.
Common questions
Is there a speaking exam in A Level Arabic?
No. Speaking is not directly assessed. The three papers test translation, reading, listening and writing.
Can students study two films?
No. Students study either two literary texts, or one literary text and one film.
Can students use a dictionary in the essays?
No dictionary is allowed in Paper 2, so vocabulary for the set works must be learned beforehand.
Can a private candidate take A Level Arabic?
Yes, if they find an exam centre that accepts private candidates for this qualification. Centres set their own fees and entry deadlines, so ask early.
One step this week
Open the specification, read the prescribed list of works, and pick two that interest your child. Read a summary of each together and decide which one they would happily study for a year.
If you would like support with set works, translation or the research question, message us on WhatsApp. Our teachers work live, one to one, online; ask about availability in your time zone.
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