Cambridge 9695 is an AS & A Level subject focusing on literary texts (poetry, prose, drama).
Students study a set of literary works and write analytical essays.
Skills tested:
Literary analysis
Critical thinking
Interpretation
Argument writing
Contextual understanding
Cambridge encourages students to read texts from different cultures and periods. (Cambridge International)
Students study:
Poetry
Prose
Drama
More advanced study, including:
Shakespeare
Pre-1900 texts
Post-1900 texts
Critical interpretation
Duration: 2 hours
Students answer 2 questions
Study one drama + one poetry text
Questions:
Passage-based
Essay questions
Duration: 2 hours
Section A: Set prose text
Section B: Unseen passage (poem or prose)
Students must analyse language, theme, and style.
Duration: 2 hours
Study:
One Shakespeare play
One other drama text
Answer 2 questions (one from each section)
Duration: 2 hours
Study:
One poetry text
One prose text
Must answer one poetry + one prose question.
There is NO coursework in 9695.
Everything is exam-based. (Cambridge International Help)
Texts change every few years, but typical examples include:
Hamlet
The Taming of the Shrew
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Sweat
Kongi’s Harvest
Pride and Prejudice
Beloved
Waiting for the Barbarians
Chaucer
Walt Whitman
Louise Glück
Students must study specific texts chosen by the school.
Texts rotate regularly. (Cambridge International Help)
Cambridge assesses students on:
Understanding of text and quotations
Language, structure, literary techniques
Historical, social, and cultural context
Critical opinion with evidence
March series ending after 2026
From 2027: only June and November exams
(Cambridge International Help)
Pakistan students mostly take May/June or Oct/Nov.
Students in Pakistan often rely on guides.
➡ Cambridge requires original critical thinking.
Teach students:
Metaphor
Imagery
Symbolism
Narrative voice
Dramatic irony
Structure
Examiner reports show that many students describe rather than analyse.
Students must:
Memorise key quotations
Embed quotes in essays
Typical essay time:
➡ 1 hour per question
Students must plan:
Introduction
3–4 analytical paragraphs
Conclusion
For unseen poetry/prose:
Identify theme
Analyse language
Discuss tone and mood
Point
Evidence
Explanation
Link
Cambridge examiners love structured arguments.
Cambridge explicitly encourages extra reading for deeper understanding.
(Cambridge International)
Weak essay structure
Descriptive writing (retelling a story)
Limited vocabulary
Poor critical opinion
Teach essay planning templates
Use model answers from examiner reports
Do weekly timed essays
Teach academic vocabulary lists
Use comparison charts for themes and characters
✔ Analyse, not narrate
✔ Use quotations
✔ Discuss writer’s purpose
✔ Link language to meaning
✔ Show personal interpretation