Edexcel IGCSE Poetry: Grade Boundaries + Mark Scheme
Before writing your own essay, it can be helpful to go through a few different example answers that are around the specific level you’re aiming for. It’s always good to read student exemplar scripts with examiner feedback too, to get an idea for how the essay will be marked. You also need to understand the mark scheme and the grade boundaries in detail.
If you’re looking for more support, click the ‘Learn More’ button below to view our complete Edexcel IGCSE Poetry teaching and revision pack:
Grade Boundaries
The ‘level’ you get on the mark scheme is not the same as your IGCSE Grade. To figure out your grade, you need to convert your essay mark into a percentage, then use the table here to figure out your grade. Here are the grade boundaries for the Edexcel IGCSE Literature exam, based on the 2023 papers. Bear in mind that these percentages change a little bit each year (the ones below are based on quite high boundaries).
Grade:
9 - 82.6%
8 - 76%
7 - 70%
6 - 62.5%
5 - 55.3%
4 - 48%
3 - 37%
Example: A 22/30 essay is 73%, which converts to a Grade 7.
Mark Scheme
Spend some time looking through this mark scheme in detail. Pay particular attention to the level you’re at now, and the next one up where you’d like to be. Highlight, underline or take note of any important details that will help you get to the next level in your writing. The mark scheme covers these two Assessment Objectives:
AO2 Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects (15 marks)
AO3 Explore links and connections between texts (15 marks)
0 No rewardable material. There’s nothing in the answer that can be marked.
Level 1
1–6 The response is simple and the identification of language, form and structure used by the writer is minimal. There is little or no comparison of the two poems. Limited use of relevant examples to support the response.
● The answer is very simple and doesn’t say much about how the poet has used language, structure, or form.
● There’s little or no comparison between the two poems.
● Hardly any examples are used to support the points being made.
Level 2
7–12 The response is largely descriptive, with some comment on the language, form and structure used by the writer. There are some underdeveloped comparisons and contrasts presented, with obvious similarities and/or differences between the poems. Some use of relevant examples to support the response. ● The answer mostly describes the poems rather than analysing them.
● There is some basic discussion of how the poet has used language, structure, or form.
● There are a few comparisons between the poems, but they might not be fully developed.
● Some quotations are used, but they could be clearer or more detailed.
Important: If you only cover ONE poem, you can’t get above this
Level 3
13–18 The response shows an understanding of the range of language, form and structure used by the writer and links these to their effect on the reader. The response compares and contrasts a range of points and considers some similarities and/or differences between the poems. Use of clearly relevant examples to support the response.
● The answer shows a clear understanding of how the poet has used language, structure, and form and explains the effect these choices have on the reader.
● The poems are compared in a more detailed way, discussing similarities and/or differences.
● Good examples are used to support the points made.
Level 4
19–24 The response is focused and detailed, and the analysis of the language, form and structure used by the writer and their effect on the reader is sustained. The response compares and contrasts the poems effectively, considering a wide range of similarities and/or differences between the poems. Use of fully relevant examples to support the response.
● The answer is well-structured and goes into detail about how the poet’s choices affect the reader.
● A wide range of comparisons is made between the two poems.
● The response includes strong examples that are fully relevant and well-explained.
Level 5
25–30 The response is a cohesive evaluation of the interrelationship of the language, form and structure used by the writer and their effect on the reader. The response compares and contrasts the poems perceptively with a varied and comprehensive range of similarities and/or differences between the poems. Discriminating use of relevant examples to support the response.
● The answer is sophisticated and well-connected, showing a deep understanding of how language, structure, and form work together in each poem.
● The comparisons are insightful and explore a wide variety of similarities and differences.
● The response is thoughtful, precise, and uses excellent examples to support each point.
STUDENT EXAMPLE ANSWERS
Pearson Edexcel has released its own teaching resources with examiner feedback on example student answers. You can find them here:
4 Example Essays Grades 1-8 (6 marks - 25 marks)
4 High-Grade Example Essays Grades 7-9 (22-30 marks)
TASK: Read through one example essay that’s at a similar level to your ideal grade. Make notes on anything you think that this student does which is impressive or helpful. You might want to include the following:
• High-level vocabulary
• Techniques
• Essay words and phrases
• Interesting thoughts or ideas on the poems
• Quotations
• References to themes, messages or the reader
Thanks for reading!
Try our complete Edexcel IGCSE Poetry study bundle!
This course gives you a full breakdown of all poems in the 2025 Edexcel IGCSE Poetry Anthology.
+ Complete poetry analysis
+ Example Essays
+ Essay Writing Support
+ Mark schemes, grade boundaries + assessment objectives
+ 20 official past paper questions
+ more!
