AS and A Level Arabic 9865 Past Papers and Mark Schemes

Browse by year and session

The list covers 4 papers for 2029, sat in Specimen. Use the filters above the table to narrow the list by year, session, paper number or document type.

Paper numbers on this page include Paper 01, Paper 02 and Paper 03.

Arabic mark schemes

3 of the 4 listed papers have a mark scheme attached. Use the levels or band descriptors as a checklist and decide honestly which band your answer matches; there is rarely a single correct answer to compare with.

You can also search every mark scheme for this subject.

Arabic syllabus

A syllabus document is available for this subject. Use it to confirm the topics, the assessment structure and the command words before you choose which papers to practise.

Inserts and extra material

1 paper has an insert. Keep the insert open beside the question paper, because some questions cannot be answered without it.

How to identify the paper, session and variant

Cambridge papers are named from the syllabus code, the session, the type of document and the paper number. A file such as 9865_s23_qp_12 reads as: syllabus 9865, May/June 2023, question paper, paper 1 variant 2 (for instance: 9865, 2029, Specimen, Paper 01).

In Cambridge file names m means February/March, s means May/June and w means October/November, followed by the two-digit year.

The two digits after the document type are the paper number and the variant: 12 is paper 1, variant 2. Variants are different versions of the same paper set to the same standard, so use the one that matches your entry or practise several.

Attempt a paper under timed conditions

Choose a paper that matches your course, set the time allowed on the front page, and work without notes. Stopping early to look something up hides the gaps you are trying to find.

Plan longer answers briefly before writing, so that the structure is clear and every paragraph answers the question.

Read the assessment objectives or marking criteria for the paper and write with them in mind, not only the question wording.

Plan each long answer in a few minutes before writing, and divide the time by the marks so that no question is left unfinished.

Compare your answers with the mark scheme

Mark your paper with a different colour pen, award marks only where the mark scheme allows them, and write the total at the top. Use the levels or band descriptors as a checklist and decide honestly which band your answer matches; there is rarely a single correct answer to compare with.

Typical slips are retelling instead of analysing, quotations without comment, drifting from the question and careless spelling or punctuation.

Not every paper on this page has a mark scheme (3 of 4 do), so look for the Mark scheme button on the paper you opened.

Keep an error log and plan your revision

After each paper, write down every lost mark in a log. Record whether an answer lost marks for structure, lack of evidence, weak explanation, accuracy of language or time spent.

Then turn the log into a short weekly plan: choose two or three topics, revise them from your notes, and test them with fresh questions. Spread the papers you have across several weeks instead of attempting them all at once.

A good week pairs one timed response with a rewrite of a paragraph that stayed descriptive, followed by reading a model answer for structure.

Practise by skill or text (comprehension, writing tasks, set texts) so that you can see progress in the exact skill being assessed.

Check that the syllabus version matches

Check that 9865 is the code on your course outline and which examination years your syllabus version covers, because content and paper structure can change between syllabus versions.

How do I find the correct AS & A Level Arabic 9865 paper?

Check three things on the paper: the session and year, the paper number, and the variant or level when there is one. Cambridge papers are named from the syllabus code, the session, the type of document and the paper number. A file such as 9865_s23_qp_12 reads as: syllabus 9865, May/June 2023, question paper, paper 1 variant 2 (for instance: 9865, 2029, Specimen, Paper 01).

Then use the filters on this page to match them, or search all papers.

Which 9865 syllabus version should I choose?

Check that 9865 is the code on your course outline and which examination years your syllabus version covers, because content and paper structure can change between syllabus versions.

Where can I find the matching mark scheme?

3 of the 4 papers on this page have a mark scheme. Open the paper and use its MS file, or search for mark schemes. If a paper has none, check CAIE's website or ask your teacher.

Are all AS & A Level Arabic 9865 past papers on this page?

No. This page lists only the files that have been added so far (4 papers for 2029), and some sessions may be missing. For the full official list, use CAIE's own website.

What should I do after marking a Arabic paper?

Record whether an answer lost marks for structure, lack of evidence, weak explanation, accuracy of language or time spent. Then revise the topics behind those marks and test them again with fresh questions.

Are these files endorsed by CAIE?

No. The papers are published by Cambridge Assessment International Education. Trinity Tutors is an independent tutoring service and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the board, and it cannot promise any particular grade or result.

Can I use past papers to practise Arabic if there is no single correct answer?

Yes. Write the response under timed conditions, then judge it against the marking criteria or level descriptors and ask a teacher to comment on it.

Can a tutor help me with Arabic?

You can browse a Arabic tutor or contact us with the board, level and topics that cost you marks, and we will say honestly whether we have a suitable tutor.