Cambridge O Level Second Language Urdu (3248)
Read it, write it, translate it — Second Language Urdu builds practical, confident Urdu for school, family and work, wherever you live.
Checked against the official Cambridge syllabus for exams in 2024–2026 and 2027–2029 (same papers) · 18 October 2026
1.Quick facts
2.Why study Urdu (Second Language)?
Cambridge's aims for this course, in plain words. It helps you to:
- Use Urdu effectively for practical, everyday communication.
- Build a base for further study or work that uses Urdu.
- Understand how language works and how to learn languages well.
- Expand your Urdu vocabulary.
- Grow as a person through language.
Based on the 'Aims' in the official syllabus.
3.Why these topics?
Reading for information
Short answers on a short text, matching people to paragraphs, and making notes from a longer text — reading the way you do in real life.
Summary and functional writing
A summary of no more than 100 words, then a short practical piece of about 150 words — an email, for example — for a given purpose and reader.
Grammar in context
Transform sentences without changing their meaning, and fill gaps in a passage — verbs, agreement, comparatives, postpositions and vocabulary.
Writing and translation
A piece of continuous prose of about 200 words, and translating a passage of about 150 words from English into Urdu.
4.Topic map
- 1.1 Short-answer questions
- 1.2 Multiple matching
- 1.3 Note-making
- 1.4 Summary (no more than 100 words)
- 1.5 Writing exercise (about 150 words, e.g. an email)
- 2.1 Sentence transformation
- 2.2 Multiple-choice cloze passage
- 2.3 Extended writing (about 200 words)
- 2.4 Translation from English into Urdu (about 150 words)
5.Exam pattern
Both papers are marked by Cambridge. Dictionaries may not be used.
6.Types of questions
Examples are written by our teachers in Cambridge style to show the type of question — they are not copied from past papers.
7.What examiners reward
Writing carries almost two-thirds of the marks — daily writing practice pays off most.
8.Grades
A*, A, B, C, D, E. 'Ungraded' means below E and is not shown on the certificate.
What it took in June 2026
| Grade | Marks out of 100 | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 88 | 88% |
| A | 77 | 77% |
| B | 66 | 66% |
| C | 55 | 55% |
| D | 44 | 44% |
| E | 34 | 34% |
Minimum marks out of 100 in June 2026.
A strong Urdu grade helps students living abroad keep their language and connection with Pakistan.
9.How to improve fast
- Read Urdu every day — news, stories, signs and messages.
- Keep a vocabulary notebook by topic: family, school, travel, health, technology.
- Practise translating short English paragraphs into Urdu.
- Learn grammar patterns: verb forms, gender agreement, postpositions.
- Write one short email or paragraph a day and ask your teacher to correct it.
10.Books & resources
11.Common mistakes
- Going over the word limit in the summary.
- Translating word-for-word so the Urdu sounds unnatural.
- Gender and number agreement errors.
- Ignoring the purpose and audience in the writing task.
Tips from our teachers.
12.Study plan
- Term 1Reading skills and vocabulary building; grammar review.
- Term 2Note-making and summary writing.
- Term 3Functional and extended writing.
- Term 4Translation and grammar exercises in exam format.
- Final monthsTimed past papers; daily reading and writing.
Cambridge designs the course for about 130 guided learning hours.
13.Where it can take you
Urdu connects you to more than 200 million speakers and to Pakistan's culture.
Typical subject requirements — always check each university's own entry rules.
14.Urdu (Second Language) in the real world
A language of poetry
Urdu is the language of great poets such as Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
Pakistan's national language
Urdu is Pakistan's national language and a link between people from every province.
Urdu abroad
For families in the Gulf, the UK and beyond, Urdu keeps children connected with grandparents, culture and faith.
15.Frequently asked questions
Is this the right Urdu for me?
Second Language Urdu (3248) is for learners who have had contact with Urdu at school or in the community. If Urdu is your first language, look at First Language Urdu (3247).
Can I use a dictionary?
No — dictionaries may not be used.
When can I sit the exam?
Every June and November.
Is the syllabus changing?
The 2027–2029 syllabus has no significant changes that affect teaching.
16.Study it with us
Live online classes with experienced Cambridge teachers, weekly quizzes and assignments in your portal, past-paper practice, and progress reports your parents can see.
17.Official sources
- Official syllabus 3248 for exams in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (PDF)
- Official syllabus 3248 for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (PDF)
- Grade threshold table, June 2026 (PDF)
Cambridge says its syllabuses and specimen materials are the final authority on the content and structure of its exams. Always check you are using the syllabus for the year you sit the exam.