O Level Urdu tutor online (3248)
Taught for Cambridge (CAIE).
At a glance
Our O Level Urdu tutors prepare students for Cambridge 3248 Second Language Urdu, covering reading, note-making, summary, functional and extended writing, grammar and English-to-Urdu translation, and also support First Language Urdu 3247. Classes are live online, 1:1 or in small groups, at times suited to students in Pakistan, the Gulf and the UK.
O Level Urdu key facts
| Cambridge (CAIE) | Cambridge O Level Second Language Urdu (3248), 2 papers/components (official syllabus) |
|---|---|
| Cambridge (CAIE) | Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu (3247), 2 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| May/June series | Exams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August. |
| October/November series | Exams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January. |
| Topics covered | 9 syllabus topics, with past-paper practice |
| Lesson format | Live online, 1:1 (60 min) or small group (75 min); first class free |
Facts last verified:
Second Language Urdu 3248 is the Urdu syllabus taken by many O Level students in Pakistan, and it suits students who speak Urdu at home but have studied mainly in English, as well as Pakistani families abroad who want to keep the language strong. First Language Urdu 3247 is a separate, more literary syllabus for students with a fuller command of the language, examined in the June series only. Cambridge does not allow the two to be taken in the same series.
3248 has two papers worth 50% each. Paper 1, Reading and Writing (1 hour 45 minutes, 50 marks), has five exercises: short-answer reading, multiple matching, note-making, a summary of no more than 100 words and a functional piece of about 150 words. Paper 2, Grammar, Writing and Translation (1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks), contains sentence transformation, a multiple-choice cloze passage, an extended piece of about 200 words, and translation of a 150-word English passage into Urdu.
Students raised outside Pakistan often find spelling, gender agreement and formal vocabulary hardest, while students in Pakistan more often lose marks on summary concision and translation accuracy. Translation rewards natural Urdu rather than word-for-word rendering. A good Urdu grade also matters for Pakistani students who need IBCC equivalence. For 3247, preparation adds an unseen passage and the set poetry and prose texts, which call for literary appreciation.
How is O Level Urdu (3248) examined?
Cambridge O Level Second Language Urdu (3248)
Official syllabus from Cambridge (CAIE)| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Reading and WritingFive exercises: short answers, multiple matching, note-making, summary and a writing task | 1 hour 45 minutes | 50 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Grammar, Writing and TranslationFour exercises: sentence transformation, cloze passage, extended writing and translation into Urdu | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 | 50% |
Syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026; the 2027–2029 syllabus keeps the same paper structure. Grades A* to E. Examined in the June and November series.
Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu (3247)
Official syllabus from Cambridge (CAIE)| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Reading and WritingPart 1 Reading (all questions) and Part 2 Writing (one question) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 | 50% |
| Paper 2: TextsOne question each on an unseen passage, poetry and prose | 2 hours | 50 | 50% |
Examined in the June series only. All answers in Urdu. Cannot be combined with 3248 in the same series.
May/June series
Exams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August.
October/November series
Exams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January.
Exam facts last verified:
Plan your revision with our exam dates guide, the official O Level grade thresholds and where to find official past papers.
What topics are in O Level Urdu?
- 1
Reading for gist and detail (Paper 1, Exercise 1)
Writing long answers when a single word or phrase is required.
- 2
Multiple matching (Paper 1, Exercise 2)
Matching on a repeated keyword instead of the meaning of the whole paragraph.
- 3
Note-making under headings (Paper 1, Exercise 3)
Copying full sentences or placing a point under the wrong heading.
- 4
Summary of no more than 100 words (Paper 1, Exercise 4)
Going over the word limit and lifting text instead of using your own words.
- 5
Functional writing, such as an email (Paper 1, Exercise 5)
Missing one of the stimulus prompts or using the wrong register for the audience.
- 6
Sentence transformation (Paper 2, Exercise 1)
Changing the meaning of the sentence while transforming its structure.
- 7
Grammar in context: cloze passage (Paper 2, Exercise 2)
Errors in verb conjugation, gender agreement and postpositions.
- 8
Extended writing of about 200 words (Paper 2, Exercise 3)
Weak organisation and a narrow range of vocabulary for the stated purpose.
- 9
Translation from English into Urdu (Paper 2, Exercise 4)
Literal word-for-word translation that sounds unnatural, and phrases left out.
Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp
How do our online Urdu classes work?
Diagnostic
A short check of what your child already knows against the syllabus.
Topic teaching
Clear explanations on a shared whiteboard, one topic at a time.
Past-paper practice
Exam questions from your board, timed and marked to the mark scheme.
Feedback
What went well, what to fix and what to practise before next class.
Who teaches O Level Urdu?
14 years- Urdu
- Islamiyat
How do you get top marks in O Level Urdu?
Count words as you draft the summary; anything beyond 100 words is wasted effort.
Cover every prompt in the writing tasks and match tone to the stated audience and format.
In translation, read the whole English passage first, then translate meaning sentence by sentence, checking nothing is missed.
Revise grammar systematically (verb forms, gender, plurals and postpositions), since the cloze and transformation exercises test it directly.
Write neatly in Urdu script; unclear letters can make words ambiguous.
Keep a list of formal vocabulary and connectives to widen the range of your extended writing.
How much does O Level Urdu tutoring cost?
Prices shown in US dollars
- Recommended
One-to-one
Fully personalised to your child
USD 28 / class
- 60-minute live classes at times you choose
- A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
- Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
- Progress notes for parents
Small group
Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month
USD 8 / class
- 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
- Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
- Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
- Class recordings and notes
Intensive exam prep
12 one-to-one classes a month before exams
USD 25 / class
- Three 60-minute classes a week
- Timed past papers and full mock exams
- Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
- Pack discount of 10% applied
Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ
O Level Urdu FAQs
What is the difference between O Level Urdu 3247 and 3248?
O Level Urdu 3248 is Second Language Urdu, focused on practical reading, writing, grammar and translation, while 3247 is First Language Urdu, which adds literary study of an unseen passage and set poetry and prose. 3248 is examined in June and November; 3247 in June only. Students cannot take both in the same series.
How many papers are there in O Level Urdu 3248?
O Level Second Language Urdu 3248 has two papers, each worth 50 marks and 50% of the grade. Paper 1, Reading and Writing, lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and has five exercises. Paper 2, Grammar, Writing and Translation, lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and has four exercises, ending with translation from English into Urdu.
Is O Level Urdu compulsory in Pakistan?
O Level Urdu is not compulsory under Cambridge rules, but Pakistani students normally need it, with Islamiyat and Pakistan Studies, for IBCC equivalence. Students who studied abroad may be eligible for exemptions under IBCC rules. Families should check the latest IBCC guidance, especially if their child has lived outside Pakistan.
How can I improve my Urdu for O Level if I grew up abroad?
Students who grew up abroad improve fastest in O Level Urdu by reading short Urdu texts daily, practising handwriting and spelling, and drilling grammar such as gender agreement and verb forms. Regular translation practice from English builds vocabulary quickly. Our tutors set short, frequent tasks timed for Gulf and UK schedules.
What is the word limit for the summary in O Level Urdu?
The summary in O Level Second Language Urdu 3248 must be no more than 100 words. It is Exercise 4 of Paper 1, is based on the longer text used for note-making, and is worth 10 marks. Students should use their own words as far as possible and avoid copying phrases directly from the passage.
Is O Level Urdu hard?
O Level Urdu difficulty depends on background: students who read Urdu regularly usually find 3248 manageable, while those raised abroad may find spelling, grammar and formal vocabulary demanding. Translation and summary need specific practice in either case. Starting early with steady weekly work makes a noticeable difference.
Still deciding? Ask us on WhatsApp
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- O Level Islamiyat
- O Level Pak Studies
- O Level English
- O Level Maths
- O Level Add Maths
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