📚 A-Level CAIE English Literature: 2026 Exam Changes and Trends | A-Level CAIE 英语文学：2026年考试变化与趋势
Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English (9695) is now in its third year of the 2024–2026 syllabus cycle. For 2026 candidates, the most important update is not a radical new exam format, but a refreshed set text list and a sharper emphasis on unseen analysis, contextual understanding, and independent critical voice. This article explains what is changing in 2026, what remains stable, and how to prepare effectively.
剑桥国际 AS 与 A Level 英语文学（9695）目前已进入 2024–2026 教学大纲周期的第三年。对 2026 年考生来说，最重要的更新并非彻底改变考试形式，而是固定篇目有所轮换，同时考试更强调未见文本分析、语境理解与独立的批判性声音。本文讲解 2026 年的变化、保持不变之处，以及如何高效备考。
1. Overview of the 9695 Syllabus 2024–2026 | 9695 教学大纲 2024–2026 总览
CAIE A Level English Literature is divided into four papers. Papers 1 and 2 form the AS qualification, while Papers 3 and 4 complete the full A Level. The current syllabus was first examined in 2024, so 2026 is the third and final year of this set text cycle before any further refresh.
CAIE A Level 英语文学共分四卷。试卷 1 和 2 构成 AS 资格，试卷 3 和 4 则完成完整的 A Level。现行教学大纲于 2024 年首次实施，因此 2026 年是该固定篇目周期的第三年，也是最后一年，之后可能再次更新。
| Paper | Focus | Marks | A Level Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Drama and Poetry | 50 | 25% |
| Paper 2 | Prose and Unseen | 50 | 25% |
| Paper 3 | Shakespeare and Drama | 50 | 25% |
| Paper 4 | Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose | 50 | 25% |
This structure remains unchanged for 2026. However, the set texts within each paper have been reviewed, and some titles have been rotated out. Teachers and candidates must use the 2026 set text list, not the 2024 or 2025 list, when finalising their reading list.
这一结构在 2026 年保持不变。但各卷中的固定篇目已经过审查，部分作品已被替换。教师与考生在确定阅读清单时，必须使用 2026 年的指定篇目表，而非 2024 或 2025 年的版本。
2. What Is New for 2026? Set Text Rotation | 2026 年新变化：固定篇目轮换
The main exam change for 2026 is the rotation of set texts. Cambridge publishes a separate set text list for each examination year, and some drama, poetry, and prose texts are replaced. This means a text that was valid for 2025 may no longer be examinable in 2026.
2026 年考试的主要变化是固定篇目的轮换。剑桥每年会发布单独的指定篇目表，部分戏剧、诗歌和散文文本会被替换。这意味着 2025 年有效的文本在 2026 年可能不再作为考试篇目。
Candidates should check the latest document titled ‘Set texts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English 9695’ for the 2026 session. Your school’s English department will normally confirm which texts are being taught, but personal verification is still essential if you are studying independently.
考生应查阅 2026 年考试适用的最新文件《剑桥国际 AS 与 A Level 英语文学 9695 指定篇目》。学校英语科通常会确认教授哪些文本，但如果你是自学，个人核实仍然非常重要。
Do not assume that all poems from the ‘Songs of Ourselves’ anthology remain the same. Some poems may be added or removed, and the edition or volume may change. Likewise, the Shakespeare play list may be adjusted, so a play such as Hamlet may be replaceable with another Shakespeare text in your year.
不要假设《Songs of Ourselves》选集里的所有诗歌都保持不变。有些诗歌可能被增删，版本或卷次也可能变化。同样，莎士比亚戏剧清单也可能调整，因此像《哈姆雷特》这样的戏剧在你所在年份可能会被另一部莎士比亚作品替代。
3. Paper 1: Drama and Poetry | 试卷 1：戏剧与诗歌
Paper 1 is a 2-hour paper worth 50 marks. Section A focuses on drama, and Section B focuses on poetry. In Section A, candidates answer one question from a choice of two on their set drama text. In Section B, they answer one compulsory question on their set poetry text.
试卷 1 时长 2 小时，满分 50 分。A 部分考查戏剧，B 部分考查诗歌。A 部分要求考生从两道题中选择一题作答，题目基于所学的指定戏剧文本。B 部分则有一道必答题，基于所学的指定诗歌文本。
For 2026, the questions are likely to continue the trend of being ‘discursive’ rather than simple character or theme recall. You may see command words such as ‘Discuss’, ‘To what extent’, and ‘How far’. This means you need to build an argument, not just describe what happens in the text.
2026 年的题目很可能延续“论述型”趋势，而不是简单的角色或主题复述。你可能会看到“Discuss”“To what extent”“How far”等指令词。这意味着你需要构建论证，而不仅仅是描述文本中发生了什么。
Close analysis of language, form, and structure remains central. Examiners expect evidence from the text, but the best answers also show awareness of how the writer shapes meaning. Avoid long plot summaries and instead focus on the effect of specific words, images, and stagecraft.
对语言、形式和结构的细读仍然是核心。考官希望看到来自文本的证据，但最佳答案还应体现对作者如何塑造意义的意识。避免长篇情节摘要，而要关注具体词语、意象和舞台手法所产生的效果。
4. Paper 2: Prose and Unseen | 试卷 2：散文与未见文本
Paper 2 is also 2 hours and 50 marks. Section A requires one essay on a set prose text, while Section B requires analysis of an unseen passage or poem. The unseen section is compulsory and cannot be prepared by memorising a specific text.
试卷 2 同样时长 2 小时，满分 50 分。A 部分要求就指定散文文本写一篇论文，B 部分则要求分析一段未见文本或诗歌。未见文本部分是必答题，无法通过背诵特定文本来备考。
The 2026 trend is to make the unseen task slightly broader: it may include prose or poetry from any period, and the question often asks you to explore how the writer creates mood, character, or meaning. Candidates should practise with short extracts from different centuries and genres.
2026 年的趋势是让未见文本任务稍微更宽泛：它可能包含任何时期的散文或诗歌，题目常常要求你探究作者如何营造氛围、塑造人物或表达意义。考生应练习不同世纪和体裁的短篇选段。
Because the unseen paper rewards quick, structured analysis, you should develop a reliable reading method. Spend the first five to ten minutes annotating the extract, noting tone, voice, sentence rhythm, imagery, and any shifts. Then plan a clear thesis before writing.
由于未见文本卷奖励快速而有条理的分析，你应建立一套可靠的阅读方法。先用五到十分钟给选段做注释，标出语气、叙述声音、句式节奏、意象以及任何变化。然后规划一个清晰的论点再动笔。
5. Paper 3: Shakespeare and Drama | 试卷 3：莎士比亚与戏剧
Paper 3 has two sections. Section A is a compulsory Shakespeare task based on a printed extract from your set play. Section B is an essay on another set drama text, with a choice of two questions. The whole paper lasts 2 hours and carries 50 marks.
试卷 3 分为两部分。A 部分是基于指定莎剧中一段印刷选段的莎士比亚必答题。B 部分则是就另一部指定戏剧文本写一篇论文，从两道题中选一题。整卷时长 2 小时，满分 50 分。
In 2026, the Shakespeare extract task is unlikely to ask for mere paraphrase. Instead, it will ask how the extract relates to the play as a whole, how Shakespeare uses language to create dramatic effect, and what the passage reveals about key ideas such as power, love, jealousy, or justice.
2026 年莎士比亚选段题不太可能只要求释义。相反，它会问该选段如何与整部戏剧相关联、莎士比亚如何运用语言制造戏剧效果，以及该段落揭示了关于权力、爱情、嫉妒或正义等核心思想的内容。
For Section B, the drama essay questions often invite debate. For example, you may be asked whether a character is sympathetic, or how far a play challenges social norms. Strong answers will use precise stage references and avoid treating drama as if it were a novel.
B 部分的戏剧论文题常常引发讨论。例如，你可能会被问到某个人物是否值得同情，或一部戏剧在多大程度上挑战社会规范。高分答案会使用准确的舞台依据，并避免把戏剧当成小说来读。
6. Paper 4: Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose | 试卷 4：1900 年前后诗歌与散文
Paper 4 is the synoptic paper at A2 level. Section A covers poetry, and Section B covers prose. Candidates must study texts from both before and after 1900, and questions often require comparison, contextual awareness, or discussion of how texts speak to each other.
试卷 4 是 A2 阶段的综合卷。A 部分考查诗歌，B 部分考查散文。考生必须同时学习 1900 年之前和之后的文本，题目通常要求进行比较、语境分析，或讨论文本之间的相互对话。
For 2026, examiners are likely to reward candidates who can make genuine connections across periods. You do not need to write a formal comparative essay unless the question asks for it, but a sophisticated answer will often glance at other texts or at broader literary traditions.
2026 年，考官很可能奖励那些能够跨时期建立真正联系的考生。除非题目明确要求，你不必写正式的对比论文，但高水平的答案往往会联想到其他文本或更广泛的文学传统。
Context remains important, but it must be used deliberately. Avoid ‘context dumping’ at the beginning of an essay. Instead, weave in relevant historical, social, and literary context only when it illuminates the language or the argument.
背景知识仍然重要，但必须有目的地使用。避免在文章开头“倾倒背景”。相反，只有在背景能够阐明语言或论点时，才将相关的历史、社会和文学背景融入文中。
7. Assessment Objectives and Weightings | 评估目标与权重
CAIE English Literature uses four assessment objectives. AO1 tests knowledge and understanding of texts; AO2 tests understanding of meaning and context; AO3 tests analysis of language, form, and structure; AO4 tests personal response. All four AOs are assessed across the qualification.
CAIE 英语文学使用四个评估目标。AO1 考查对文本的知识与理解；AO2 考查对意义与语境的理解；AO3 考查对语言、形式和结构的分析；AO4 考查个人回应。四个评估目标贯穿整个资格认证。
In 2026, AO3 and AO4 carry substantial weight. This means you cannot simply describe what a text says; you must analyse how the writer creates effects, and you must offer a clear, argued personal interpretation. The best essays balance close reading with a confident voice.
2026 年，AO3 与 AO4 占较大权重。这意味着你不能只是描述文本说了什么；你必须分析作者如何创造效果，并提出清晰、有论证的个人解读。最佳论文在细读与自信的评论声音之间取得平衡。
Examiners also value selection. Short, well-chosen quotations analysed in depth are better than long quotations with little comment. Every quotation should earn its place by supporting your argument.
考官同样看重选材。简短而精当的引文配上深入分析，比大段引文却缺乏评论要好。每一条引文都应通过支撑你的论点来证明其价值。
8. Six Key Trends for 2026 | 2026 年六大趋势
First, unseen analysis is now central. Paper 2 Section B and Paper 3 Section A both expect you to handle unfamiliar material confidently. Second, comparison across periods is increasingly rewarded, especially in Paper 4. Third, questions are more evaluative, using stems like ‘To what extent’ and ‘How far’.
第一，未见文本分析如今占据核心地位。试卷 2 B 部分和试卷 3 A 部分都要求你自信地处理陌生材料。第二，跨时期比较越来越受奖励，尤其在试卷 4。第三，题目更具评价性，常使用“To what extent”“How far”等句式。
Fourth, context is expected to be relevant and integrated, not bolted on. Fifth, personal response matters: a flat, generic essay will not reach the higher bands. Sixth, there is a wider range of texts from different cultures and traditions, reflecting a more global literary perspective.
第四，背景知识要求切题且融入文章，而非生硬附加。第五，个人回应很重要：平淡、套路化的论文无法达到高分档。第六，来自不同文化和传统的文本范围更广，反映出更具全球视野的文学视角。
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More unseen tasks and extract-based analysis.
更多未见文本任务与选段分析。
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Greater emphasis on comparison and thematic links.
更强调比较与主题联系。
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Questions that invite debate rather than summary.
题目鼓励辩论而非概括。
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Integrated context, not context dumping.
融入背景，而非倾倒背景。
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Wider text and author diversity.
文本与作者多样性更广。
9. How to Prepare for 2026 | 如何为 2026 年备考
Begin by printing the official 2026 set text list and checking every text you are studying. If you are unsure whether a text is still valid, ask your teacher or contact your exam centre. Then create a reading schedule that covers all set texts before the mock exams.
首先，打印官方的 2026 年指定篇目表，核对你要学习的每一个文本。如果不确定某个文本是否仍然有效，请询问老师或联系考试中心。然后制定一个阅读计划，在模拟考试前覆盖所有指定文本。
Practise unseen analysis every week. Use short extracts from past papers, poetry anthologies, and novels. Time yourself: ten minutes to annotate, ten minutes to plan, and forty minutes to write. This builds the speed and structure needed for Papers 2 and 3.
每周练习未见文本分析。使用历年真题、诗歌选集和小说中的短篇选段。给自己计时：十分钟做注释，十分钟规划，四十分钟写作。这能培养试卷 2 和 3 所需的速度与结构。
Build a bank of critical vocabulary. Words like ‘tone’, ‘register’, ‘irony’, ‘ambiguity’, ‘juxtaposition’, ‘dramatic monologue’, ‘iambic pentameter’, and ‘unreliable narrator’ should become part of your regular writing. Use them accurately and avoid empty jargon.
建立批评词汇库。像“tone”“register”“irony”“ambiguity”“juxtaposition”“dramatic monologue”“iambic pentameter”“unreliable narrator”等术语应成为你写作中的常用表达。使用要准确，避免空洞的术语堆砌。
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid | 常见误区
One common mistake is retelling the story instead of analysing it. Examiners already know the plot; they want to see how the writer creates meaning. Another mistake is listing literary devices without explaining their effect. A quotation followed by ‘this is a metaphor’ is not enough.
一个常见误区是复述故事情节而非分析。考官已经了解情节；他们想看到作者如何创造意义。另一个误区是罗列文学手法却不解释其效果。引文后只写“这是一个暗喻”是不够的。
Some candidates ignore the question and write a prepared essay on the text. This is risky, especially in 2026 when questions are increasingly evaluative. Always engage with the specific wording of the question and shape your thesis around it.
有些考生忽视题目，写一篇事先准备好的文本论文。这种做法风险很大，尤其在 2026 年题目越来越具评价性的情况下。始终紧扣题目的具体措辞，并围绕它组织论点。
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