Skip to content

Course home

Sign up

4.2.2 Pass criteria

Pass criteria: understand the requirement

  1. Specification focus. expresses straightforward ideas/information/feelings • makes an attempt to organise and structure his or her presentation • makes an attempt to meet the needs of the audience • listens to questions/feedback and provides an appropriate response in a straightforward manner.
  2. What success looks like. A successful response makes purposeful choices, supports them with relevant evidence or crafted detail, and explains how those choices meet the task.
Key Idea
  • Use the wording of the requirement as a checklist for decisions, not as information to memorise.

Pass criteria: practical method

  1. Translate the requirement. Turn the specification wording into an action you can demonstrate, such as select, interpret, analyse, connect or craft.
  2. Use the mark information. Match time and depth to weighting. A higher-mark task needs a sustained line of thought and developed support.
  3. Apply best fit carefully. Judge the response as a whole while checking the specific qualities named in the relevant level or criterion.
  4. Review against the objective. Remove material that does not demonstrate the assessed skill and strengthen the weakest required element.

Pass criteria: apply and improve

  1. Worked application. If a component carries substantial weighting, plan enough time for selection, development and checking. Do not let a low-mark retrieval task consume the time needed for extended analysis or writing.
  2. Improve through diagnosis. Name the precise weakness, such as unsupported inference, thin analysis, weak organisation or inaccurate expression, then revise that feature and compare the result.
Exam technique
  • For Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language A, check whether your centre follows the examination or coursework route for Component 2. Follow the instructions for your route and the exact command words on the task.
Common Mistake
  • Do not rely on a universal paragraph formula. The most effective structure is the one that makes the required thinking clear and sustained.
Self review
  • Can I explain pass criteria without repeating the title?
  • Can I apply the four-step method to an unfamiliar task?
  • Have I used relevant evidence or deliberate crafted choices?
  • Can I identify and correct one likely weakness?
PreviousNext

How was this guide?

Teach Genie

Review 4.2.2 Pass criteria by teaching Genie

Teach it back in your own words, spot gaps, and remember it better.

Start teaching
Genie and Baby Genie

Lesson

Recap your knowledge with an interactive lesson

8 minute activity

Start lesson

Pass criteria describe the qualities a response must demonstrate. In this topic, a successful response expresses straightforward ideas, attempts to organise its presentation, considers the audience, and responds appropriately to questions or feedback.

Use the wording as a checklist for decisions while completing the task. You do not need to memorise the title of the criterion; you need to show the required skills in your work.

A successful response makes purposeful choices, supports them with relevant evidence or crafted detail, and explains how those choices meet the task.

Flashcards

Remember key concepts with flashcards

20 flashcards

Practice flashcards

What should you use the wording of the pass requirement for?

4.2.2 Pass criteria Revision Guide

  1. IGCSE
  2. /English Language
  3. /4.2.2 Pass criteria

Revision notes for Edexcel A IGCSE English Language 4.2.2 Pass criteria: explanations and worked examples.

Revision guides