Programmes & Qualifications

Component exemptions
- What exemptions are available?
- Component exemptions FAQs

What exemptions are available?

Understanding component numbers

Where a component number has two digits, the first digit is the component number. This corresponds to the paper number in the syllabus. For example, component 1 is usually called 'paper 1' in the syllabus. The second digit allows us to distinguish between variants of the component. For example, components 11, 12 and 13 are all component 1.

Your Cambridge Guide to Making Entries lists the available syllabuses and the correct component variant for your administrative zone. Exams officers can download their entry guide from Cambridge International Direct. If you are a parent or candidate contact your school with any questions.

Cambridge International AS & A Level – Sciences

AS & A Level Biology 9700/31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 51, 52, 53
- Candidates entered for Option A or H (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 31/32/33/34/35 only
  
  component 51/52/53 only
  
  both component 31/32/33/34/35 and component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D, F, I or J (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 51/52/53 but cannot be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.
AS & A Level Chemistry 9701/31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 51, 52, 53
- Candidates entered for Option A or H (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 31/32/33/34/35 only
  
  component 51/52/53 only
  
  both component 31/32/33/34/35 and component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D, F, I or J (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 51/52/53 but cannot be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.
A Level Food Studies 9336/02
- Candidates entered for Option A or B may be exempted from component 02.
AS & A Level Physics 9702/31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 51, 52, 53
- Candidates entered for Option A or H (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 31/32/33/34/35 only
  
  component 51/52/53 only
  
  both component 31/32/33/34/35 and component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D, F, I or J (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 51/52/53 but cannot be exempted from component 31/32/33/34/35.

Cambridge International AS & A Level – Languages

A Level French 9716/01
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 01.
AS Level French Language 8682/01
- Candidates may be exempted from component 01.
A Level German 9717/01
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 01.
AS Level German Language 8683/01
- Candidates may be exempted from component 01.
A Level Portuguese 9718/01
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 01.
AS Level Portuguese Language 8684/01
- Candidates may be exempted from component 01.
A Level Spanish 9719/01
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 01.
AS Level Spanish Language 8685/01
- Candidates may be exempted from component 01.

Cambridge International AS & A Level – Humanities and Social Sciences

AS & A Level Global Perspectives & Research 9239/03
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) or Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 03.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) cannot have a component exemption.

Cambridge International AS & A Level – Creative and Professional

AS & A Level Art & Design 9479/01, 02
- Candidates cannot be exempted from component 03 because it forms the entire ‘A2’ part of the assessment.
  
  Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 01 only
  
  component 02 only
  
  both component 01 and component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from either component 01 or component 02.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) cannot have a component exemption.
AS & A Level Computer Science 9618/41, 42, 43
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route), Options D or G (A Level best-of-both) or Option B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) may be exempted from component 41/42/43.
AS & A Level Design & Technology 9705/02, 04
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 04 only
  
  both component 02 and component 04.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Option H (A Level with carry forward component 02 mark) may be exempted from component 04.
AS & A Level Design & Textiles 9631/02, 04
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 04 only
  
  both component 02 and component 04.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
AS & A Level Digital Media & Design 9481/01, 02
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 01 only
  
  component 02 only
  
  both component 01 and component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from either component 01 or component 02.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) cannot have a component exemption.
AS & A Level Drama 9482/02, 03
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 03 only
  
  both component 02 and component 03.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) or Option K (A Level with carry forward component 02 mark) may be exempted from component 03.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 03 but cannot have an exemption from component 02.
AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/02, 04
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 04 only
  
  both component 02 and component 04.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Options B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) may be exempted from component 04.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 04 but cannot have an exemption from component 02.
AS & A Level Media Studies 9607/01, 03
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 01 only
  
  component 03 only
  
  both component 01 and component 03.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 01.
  
  Candidates entered for Options B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) or Option K (A Level with carry forward component 01 mark) may be exempted from component 03.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 03 but cannot have an exemption from component 01.

AS & A Level Music 9483/02, 03, 04, 05

AS & A Level Physical Education 9396/02, 04
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 04 only
  
  both component 02 and component 04.
  
  Candidates entered for Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
  
  Candidates entered for Options B or C (A Level with carry forward AS Level) or Option K (A Level with carry forward component 02 mark) may be exempted from component 04.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) may be exempted from component 04 but cannot have an exemption from component 02.
AS & A Level Travel & Tourism 9395/02
- Candidates entered for Option A (A Level linear route) or Option S (AS Level) may be exempted from component 02.
  
  NEW Candidates entered for Option D (A Level best-of-both) cannot have a component exemption

Option code	Description	Components entered in June 2022	Candidates may be exempted from:
A	A Level – Linear	11/12/13, 02, 03, 04	component 02 only component 03 only component 04 only both component 02 and component 03 both component 02 and component 04.
B	A Level – Linear	11/12/13, 02, 03, 05	component 02 only component 03 only component 05 only both component 02 and component 03 both component 02 and component 05.
C	A Level – Linear	11/12/13, 02, 04, 05	component 02 only component 04 only component 05 only both component 02 and component 04 both component 02 and component 05.
D / H	A Level with carry forward AS Level	03, 04	component 03 only component 04 only
E / J	A Level with carry forward AS Level	03, 05	component 03 only component 05 only
F / K	A Level with carry forward AS Level	04, 05	component 04 only component 05 only
L	A Level – Best-of-both	11/12/13, 02, 03, 04	NEW component 03 only component 04 only
M	A Level – Best-of-both	11/12/13, 02, 03, 05	NEW component 03 only component 05 only
N	A Level – Best-of-both	11/12/13, 02, 04, 05	NEW component 04 only component 05 only
S	AS Level	11/12/13, 02	component 02 only

Cambridge IGCSE – English Language and Literature

English as a Second Language (count-in speaking) 0511/31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53 and English as a Second Language (count-in speaking) (9-1) 0991/31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from:
  
  component 31/32/33 only
  
  component 51/52/53 only
  
  both component 31/32/33 and component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options B or C may be exempted from component 31/32/33.
  
  Candidates entered for Option F may be exempted from:
  
  component 41/42/43 only
  
  component 51/52/53 only
  
  both component 41/42/43 and component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options G or H may be exempted from component 41/42/43.
English as a Second Language (speaking endorsement) 0510/31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43 and English as a Second Language (speaking endorsement) (9-1) 0993/31, 32, 41, 42
- Candidates entered for Options A, B, C or L may be exempted from component 31/32/33.
  
  Candidates entered for Options F, G, H, J, or M may be exempted from component 41/42/43.
English as a Second Language Core (Egypt) 0465/02
- Candidates entered for Options A, B, C or D may be exempted from component 02.
Literature in English 0475/11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 05 and Literature in English (9-1) 0992/12, 22, 32, 42, 05
- Candidates entered for any option may be exempted from any one of these components.
  
  Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13 only
  
  component 21/22/23 only.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13 only
  
  component 31/32/33 only
  
  component 41/42/43 only.
  
  Candidates entered for Option C may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13 only
  
  component 31/32/33 only
  
  component 05 only.
  
  Candidates entered for Option D may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13 only
  
  component 31/32/33 only.
  
  We do not recommend that candidates be exempted from component 1, because this assesses two out of the three genres covered by the whole syllabus. You should try to exempt candidates from component 2, 3, 4 or 5. You may have to change your usual entry option to make sure this flexibility meets the needs of your teachers and candidates.
  
  Candidates cannot answer on just part of a component. For example, if they are sitting component 1, Poetry and prose, they must answer on both the poetry and prose sections.
Literature in English (US) 0427/01, 02, 03
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from one of these components:
  
  component 01
  
  component 02
  
  component 03.
  
  Candidates entered for Option D may be exempted from either component 01 or component 02.

Cambridge IGCSE - Sciences

Biology 0610/51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63 and Biology (9-1) 0970/51, 52, 61, 62
- Candidates entered for Options B or F may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options C or G may be exempted from component 61/62/63.
Biology Core (Egypt) 0467/06
- Candidates entered for Option GX may be exempted from component 06.
Chemistry 0620/51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63 and Chemistry (9-1) 0971/51, 52, 61, 62
- Candidates entered for Options B or F may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options C or G may be exempted from component 61/62/63.
Chemistry Core (Egypt) 0468/06
- Candidates entered for Option GX may be exempted from component 06.
Combined Science 0653/51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63
- Candidates entered for Options B or F may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options C or G may be exempted from component 61/62/63.
Co-ordinated Science (Double Award) 0654/51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63 and Co-ordinated Science (Double Award) (9-1) 0973/51, 52, 61, 62
- Candidates entered for Options B or F may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options C or G may be exempted from component 61/62/63.
Food & Nutrition 0648/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Physics 0625/51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63 and Physics (9-1) 0972/51, 52, 61, 62
- Candidates entered for Options B or F may be exempted from component 51/52/53.
  
  Candidates entered for Options C or G may be exempted from component 61/62/63.
Physics Core (Egypt) (0469/06)
- Candidates entered for Option GX may be exempted from component 06.

Cambridge IGCSE – Languages

Arabic 0544/11, 12, 13, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Bahasa Indonesia 0538/03
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 03.
Chinese Second Language (compulsory speaking) 0523/02, 03
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from:
  
  component 02
  
  component 03
  
  both component 02 and component 03.
French 0520/11, 12, 13, 03 and French 7156/11, 12, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
German 0525/11, 12, 13, 03 and German (9-1) 7159/12, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Italian 0535/11, 12, 13, 03 and Italian (9-1) 7164/12, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Malay 0546/11, 12, 13, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Mandarin Chinese 0547/11, 12, 13, 03
- component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Spanish 0530/11, 12, 13, 03 and Spanish (9-1) 7160/12, 03
- component 11/12/13
  
  component 03
  
  both component 11/12/13 and component 03.
Swahili 0262/02
- Candidates entered for Option A or B may be exempted from component 02.
Urdu as a Second Language 0539/02
- Candidates entered for Options A or AO may be exempted from component 01.

Cambridge IGCSE - Humanities and Social Sciences

Geography 0460/03, 41, 42, 43 and Geography (9-1) 0976/03, 42
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 03.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 41/42/43.
Global Perspectives 0457/03
- Candidates entered for Options A, E or H may be exempted from component 03.

Cambridge IGCSE - Creative and Professional

Art & Design 0400/01, 02 and Art & Design (9-1) 0989/01, 02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from either component 01 or component 02.
  
  Candidates carrying forward a mark for component 01 cannot be exempted from component 02.
Computer Science 0478/21, 22, 23 and Computer Science (9-1) 0984/21, 22
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 21/22/23.
Design & Technology 0445/02 and Design & Technology (9-1) 0979/02
- Candidates entered for Options A, B or C may be exempted from component 02.
Drama 0411/02 and Drama (9-1) 0994/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Enterprise 0454/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Information and Communication Technology 0417/21, 22, 31, 32 and Information and Communication Technology (9-1) 0983/21, 22, 31, 32
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 21/22 only
  
  or component 31/32 only
  
  both components 21/22 and 31/32.
Music 0410/02, 03 and Music (9-1) 0978/02, 03
- Candidates may be exempted from:
  
  component 02 only
  
  component 03 only
  
  both components 02 and 03.
Physical Education 0413/02 and Physical Education (9-1) 0995/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Travel & Tourism 0471/03
- Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 03.

Cambridge O Level - English Language and Literature

English Language (Brunei) 1120/03
- Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 03.
Literature in English 2010/12, 13, 22, 23
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from either component 12/13 or component 22/23.

Cambridge O Level – Sciences

Agriculture 5038/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Biology 5090/31, 32, 61, 62
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 31/32.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 61/62.
Chemistry 5070/31, 32, 41, 42
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 31/32.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 41/42.
Food & Nutrition 6065/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Physics 5054/31, 32, 41, 42
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 31/32.
  
  Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 41/42.

Cambridge O Level – Languages

Bahasa Melayu (Brunei) 1201/03
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 03.
French 3015/01, 03
- Candidates entered for Option A or AX may be exempted from component 03.

Cambridge O Level – Humanities and Social Sciences

Geography 2217/32
- Candidates may be exempted from component 32.
Global Perspectives 2069/03
- Candidates entered for Options A or B may be exempted from component 03.

Cambridge O Level – Creative and Professional

Art & Design 6090/01, 02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from either component 01 or component 02.
CDT: Design & Communication 7048/02
- Candidates may be exempted from component 02.
Computer Science 2210/21, 22
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 21/22.
Design & Technology 6043/02
- Candidates entered for Option A may be exempted from component 02.
Fashion & Textiles 6130/03
- Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 03.
Travel & Tourism 7096/03
- Candidates entered for Option B may be exempted from component 03.

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