IGCSE Spanish Writing & Speaking Papers: 2028 Mark Scheme & A* Guide
For the 2028–2030 Cambridge IGCSE Spanish (0530) syllabus, Cambridge has made some important changes — particularly to the Writing paper mark scheme — while the Speaking paper structure remains largely similar, with note-making now allowed during preparation time. All papers are now equally weighted at 40 marks each.
What changed?
Question 2 of the Writing paper moves from one criterion across five levels to two separate criteria over four levels, aligning it with current assessment principles. Question 3 is worth 25 marks. In Speaking, students may now make notes during preparation time and must hand them to the examiner before the test begins.
Paper 4: Writing (40 Marks)
Structure of the Writing Paper
Question 1 (5 Marks)
What students do
- ✓Complete information
- ✓Write simple phrases or sentences
- ✓Give factual information
What examiners reward
- ✓Correct information
- ✓Basic communication
- ✓Accurate spelling where meaning is clear
Examiner advice
- Keep answers short and precise
- Avoid adding unnecessary information
- Read instructions carefully
Question 2: Directed Writing (10 Marks)
Students write around 80–90 words in Spanish on a familiar topic, answering a set of bullet points. Marks come from two separate tables — read the whole answer, award a mark from each, and add up the total.
Sample Question 2 (Los deportes — 10 marks)
Bullet points to address:
- ¿Qué opinas de hacer deporte?
- ¿Qué deportes haces normalmente?
- ¿Con qué frecuencia practicas deporte?
- Describe a un(a) deportista famoso/a a quien admiras.
- ¿Cuándo es la próxima vez que vas a ir a un evento deportivo?
Marks available: task completion (max 5) + range and accuracy (max 5).
Table 1 — Task Completion (5 marks)
All tasks must be completed for full marks. Responses that do not address all tasks but meet the remaining level statement can be awarded a mark in the top level.
4–5 marks
- Completes most or all tasks in the required level of detail.
- Provides consistently relevant information and opinions.
2–3 marks
- Completes some tasks in the required level of detail.
- Provides some relevant information and opinions.
1 mark
- Completes minimal tasks in the required level of detail.
- May provide information; is almost always irrelevant.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Table 2 — Range and Accuracy (5 marks)
4–5 marks
- Uses straightforward vocabulary and structures.
- Links words and phrases using a range of simple connectors.
- Meaning is clear and communication is achieved, although there may be some linguistic inaccuracies.
2–3 marks
- Uses limited vocabulary and structures with some repetition.
- Some attempt to link words or phrases using a limited range of simple connectors with some repetition.
- Meaning is sometimes clear and some communication is achieved, despite linguistic inaccuracies.
1 mark
- Uses isolated words/phrases appropriate to the task.
- Little attempt to link words or phrases.
- Meaning is unclear and communication is rarely achieved.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Examiner tip — connectors to use
Simple connectors examiners look for: and, or, but, because, then (y, o, pero, porque, luego). Using even a limited range of these lifts you into the 2–3 band. A consistent variety takes you to 4–5.
Example of high-level language
✗ Basic
Me gusta el deporte.
✓ High-level
Me gusta practicar deporte porque me ayuda a relajarme y mantenerme en forma.
Question 3: Extended Writing (25 Marks)
Students write 130–140 words in Spanish. Q3 always offers a choice between two questions (3a and 3b) — pick one and answer it fully. Marks come from three separate tables: task completion (9), range (9) and accuracy (7).
Sample Question 3 — choose ONE
3(a) — Los libros
Tu pasatiempo favorito es leer. Escribe un e-mail a tu amigo/amiga chileno(a) sobre los libros.
- ¿Qué sueles leer en tu tiempo libre?
- ¿Crees que leer es importante? ¿Por qué (no)?
- Describe la última vez que fuiste a una biblioteca.
- ¿Qué cualidades necesita tener un buen libro?
- Explica por qué (no) te gustaría escribir un libro en el futuro.
3(b) — Mi ciudad favorita
Te encanta visitar ciudades. Escribe un artículo para una revista internacional sobre tu ciudad favorita.
- Explica por qué esta ciudad es tan especial para ti.
- ¿Con quién visitaste tu ciudad favorita por última vez?
- ¿Qué actividades hiciste allí?
- ¿Cuándo visitarás tu ciudad favorita otra vez?
- ¿Qué opinas de pasar tiempo en el campo o en la playa?
Marks: task completion (max 9) + range (max 9) + accuracy (max 7) = 25.
Table 1 — Task Completion (max 9 marks)
All tasks must be completed for full marks. Responses that do not address all tasks but meet the remaining level statements can be awarded a mark in the top level.
7–9 marks
- Completes most or all tasks.
- Writing is convincing and relevant.
- Gives detailed information, opinions/reactions and explanations.
4–6 marks
- Completes some tasks.
- Writing is occasionally ambiguous or irrelevant.
- Gives straightforward information, opinions/reactions and explanations.
1–3 marks
- Attempts some tasks with some success.
- Ambiguity or irrelevance compromises meaning.
- Gives basic information and opinions.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Table 2 — Range (max 9 marks)
7–9 marks
- Uses extended, well-linked sentences frequently and appropriately.
- Uses a wide range of simple and complex structures to produce sentences of varying length.
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary appropriate to the task(s).
4–6 marks
- Uses some extended sentences, with some evidence of linkage.
- Uses simple structures and attempts to use some complex structures.
- Uses mostly straightforward vocabulary appropriate to the task(s) with some repetition.
1–3 marks
- Uses simple structures and makes no attempt at using complex structures.
- Relies on repeated use of a small range of straightforward vocabulary.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Table 3 — Accuracy (max 7 marks)
6–7 marks
- Consistent control of grammar and sentence structure; not necessarily faultless.
- Consistent control of spelling; not necessarily faultless.
- Occasional errors do not impede communication.
3–5 marks
- Some control of grammar and sentence structure.
- Some control of spelling.
- Errors sometimes impede communication.
1–2 marks
- Little control of grammar and sentence structure.
- Little control of spelling.
- Errors frequently impede communication.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Irrelevance rule
- Sections of material unrelated to any bullet point will be disregarded.
- If the whole answer is irrelevant — award 0 for task completion, range and accuracy.
- If Q3 is attempted but communication is not achieved (student misunderstood the question) — award a maximum of 4 for range and best fit for task completion and accuracy.
What separates an A* script from an A script?
Test your writing
Paste your practice essay into the Lingaso Writing Analyser to check your vocabulary range, grammar and tense variety against IGCSE expectations before exam day.
Paper 3: Speaking (40 Marks Total)
The Speaking test is conducted by a school examiner in Spanish. Students prepare alone for 10 minutes (notes allowed — handed to examiner before the test starts), then the examination itself runs approximately 10 minutes. The whole test is recorded and cannot be paused.
Test structure
How candidate cards work
Each candidate draws one of six randomised candidate cards which determines their role-play scenario and which two topic-conversation topics they receive (out of 6 possible). A fixed rotation ensures no two consecutive candidates get identical combinations. Topic conversations cover: Travel & transport, Family & friends, Food & drink, Education, The international world, Technology.
Timing rules
If a topic conversation finishes in 3.5 minutes or less, the examiner must ask up to two further questions on the same topic to stretch it to 4 minutes. Questions must be read exactly as scripted — examiners cannot paraphrase, as that changes the difficulty of the task.
Support the examiner can give
- Alternative questions — an easier Cambridge-pre-written rephrasing for Questions 3–5, used only after the original question is repeated once and still not understood.
- Extension questions — neutral prompts like "Tell me more about…" when an answer is too brief.
- Further questions — up to two examiner-chosen questions on the same topic, used only if the conversation is running short on time.
Speaking Mark Scheme (40 Marks)
Role Play scoring — per task
2 marks
- Information fully communicated.
- Language appropriate; correct time frame used if a verb is included.
- Minor errors allowed — a brief answer can still score 2 if it fully communicates the required information.
1 mark
- Information partly communicated or ambiguous.
- Errors impede communication.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Communication — 5-band scale (max 15)
Assessed across both topic conversations. Pegged to CEFR level A2 with elements of B1.
13–15 marks — Top band
- Responds confidently and consistently communicates relevant information.
- Frequently develops ideas and opinions.
- Justifies some answers.
- Very good pronunciation and fluency.
10–12 marks
- Communicates relevant information well.
- Develops ideas and opinions, though not always consistently.
- Good pronunciation and fluency with occasional hesitation.
7–9 marks
- Communicates most information adequately.
- Sometimes develops ideas but responses are often short.
- Generally understandable pronunciation; some hesitation.
4–6 marks
- Communicates basic information with some success.
- Limited development of ideas; meaning sometimes unclear.
- Pronunciation sometimes difficult to understand.
1–3 marks — Bottom band
- Frequent difficulty understanding questions even after repetition.
- Struggles to reply; very little communication achieved.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
Quality of Language — 5-band scale (max 15)
Assessed across both topic conversations. Rewards vocabulary range, accuracy of structures and the breadth of syllabus language used.
13–15 marks — Top band
- Consistently accurate use of a wide range of syllabus structures and vocabulary.
- Errors are rare and do not impede communication.
- Very good pronunciation and fluency.
10–12 marks
- Accurate use of a good range of structures and vocabulary.
- Errors are occasional and rarely impede communication.
7–9 marks
- Uses a reasonable range of structures and vocabulary with some accuracy.
- Errors sometimes impede communication.
4–6 marks
- Uses a limited range of structures and vocabulary.
- Errors frequently impede communication.
1–3 marks — Bottom band
- Very limited range of structures and vocabulary.
- Errors almost always impede communication.
0 marks
- No creditable response.
What the top band actually sounds like
A 13–15 candidate in Communication and Quality of Language responds confidently, justifies opinions, and uses a wide range of structures accurately. Here's what that looks like in practice:
Avoid one-word answers
✗ Basic
Sí.
✓ High-level
Sí, porque me encanta pasar tiempo con mis amigos y también es una buena manera de relajarme después del colegio.
Always justify opinions
✗ Basic
Es interesante.
✓ High-level
Es interesante porque puedo aprender muchas cosas nuevas y además amplía mi vocabulario.
Use tense variety naturally
The top-band formula
Think: Opinion + Reason + Example + Extension.
Full top-band example response
En mi opinión, las redes sociales son muy útiles porque me permiten comunicarme con mis amigos en todo momento. Por ejemplo, hablo con mis primos en España casi todos los días. Sin embargo, creo que también pueden ser perjudiciales si las usas demasiado — por eso intento limitar el tiempo que paso en el móvil.
This response demonstrates what Cambridge rewards at 13–15: consistent communication, justification, varied connectives (porque, sin embargo, por eso), and accurate structures across tenses.