# O Level Islamiyat (2058) tutoring online

> Our O Level Islamiyat tutors cover both papers of the Cambridge 2058 syllabus: Qur'anic passages and history, the life of the Prophet (pbuh), the first Islamic community, Hadith, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam. Classes are live online, 1:1 or in small groups, for Pakistan, Gulf and UK timezones.

Source: https://www.gradeupinternational.com/o-level/islamiyat
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Publisher: GradeUp International (https://www.gradeupinternational.com/)

Taught by: our most qualified teachers for the subject.

O Level Islamiyat is a standard subject for Muslim students on the O Level route in Pakistan, and it is also widely taken by Pakistani families in the Gulf and the UK. IBCC equivalence rules for Pakistani students normally expect Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies and Urdu, with some exemptions for students educated abroad. The syllabus studies the major sources of Islam, its central beliefs and its early history, and asks students to write about them thoughtfully in English.

Both papers last 1 hour 30 minutes and carry 50 marks, and both must be taken. In each, students answer the first two questions and two more from a choice. Paper 1 opens with set Qur'anic passages to explain (8 marks) and the history and importance of the Qur'an (14 marks), then turns to the life of the Prophet (pbuh) and the first Islamic community. Paper 2 mirrors this with Hadith, their history, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam.

The challenge is not memorising facts but using them. Many students can retell events yet lose marks on the evaluative parts, which ask what an event or teaching means for Muslims today. Passages need their themes explained rather than translated, and essay answers must stay tied to the exact question. The skills built here, structured argument and careful use of evidence, carry over to A Level essay subjects such as Sociology, Psychology and English General Paper.

## How is O Level Islamiyat examined?

### Cambridge O Level Islamiyat (2058), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 |  |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 |  |

Syllabus for examination in 2026 and 2027. Answers are written in English. Grades A* to E. Examined in the June and November series; Cambridge has published a separate syllabus for 2028 onwards.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-o-level-islamiyat-2058/

## What topics are in O Level Islamiyat?

- Major themes of the Qur'an (set passages): Translating or paraphrasing the passage instead of explaining its themes and their relevance.
- History and importance of the Qur'an: Mixing up the stages of compilation under different caliphs, and weak answers on its use as a source of law.
- Life and importance of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Narrating events in Makka and Madina out of sequence, and skipping the lessons for Muslims today.
- The first Islamic community: Confusing the roles of different companions, family members and scribes in the early community.
- Major teachings in the Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh): Restating the Hadith instead of explaining its teaching and how a Muslim applies it.
- History and importance of the Hadiths: Not distinguishing isnad from matn, or mixing up the compilers of the major collections.
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs: Merging the achievements of different caliphs and giving narrative without evaluation.
- Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam: Listing practices without explaining their spiritual and social significance.

## How do you get top marks?

- Keep the passage question focused: explain each theme with a supporting point rather than writing an essay.
- Divide time by marks: about 15 minutes for the 8-mark passages and about 25 minutes for each 14-mark question.
- Check whether a part asks you to describe or to evaluate importance; the second needs reasoning, not more narrative.
- Use correct names, places and approximate dates; precise answers score higher than vague narratives.
- Plan each essay answer in two or three lines first so it stays focused on the exact question.
- Write in clear, simple English; length and decorative language earn nothing on their own.

## Fees

1:1: PKR 2,800 / AED 110 / GBP 22 per 60-minute class. Small group: PKR 9,500 per month. [All currencies](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/pricing).

## Frequently asked questions

### How many papers are there in O Level Islamiyat 2058?

O Level Islamiyat 2058 has two papers, each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 50 marks, and both must be taken to receive a grade. In each paper students answer two compulsory questions, worth 8 and 14 marks, and two further 14-mark questions chosen from the remaining options. All answers are written in English.

### Is O Level Islamiyat compulsory in Pakistan?

O Level Islamiyat is effectively expected of Muslim students in Pakistan, because IBCC equivalence rules for Pakistani students normally require Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies and Urdu. Cambridge itself does not make any subject compulsory. Students educated abroad may qualify for exemptions, so families should check the latest IBCC guidance before choosing subjects.

### How can I get an A* in O Level Islamiyat?

To aim for an A* in O Level Islamiyat, learn the set passages and their themes thoroughly, know events accurately, and practise the evaluative 'importance' parts that ask what teachings mean for Muslims today. Timed essays reviewed against mark schemes help students write focused answers. Our tutors guide that practice, but we never promise grades.

### Can I write O Level Islamiyat answers in Urdu?

No, O Level Islamiyat 2058 answers must be written in English, as the syllabus requires. Students may use Arabic terms where appropriate, such as names of practices, but explanations should be in clear English. Students who think in Urdu benefit from practising key vocabulary and short model answers in English.

### What topics are in O Level Islamiyat Paper 1 and Paper 2?

Paper 1 of O Level Islamiyat covers set Qur'anic passages, the history and importance of the Qur'an, the life of the Prophet (pbuh) and the first Islamic community. Paper 2 covers set Hadith passages, the history and importance of the Hadiths, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam.

### Is O Level Islamiyat hard?

O Level Islamiyat is not conceptually hard, but it has a lot of content and the essay questions demand focus and evaluation. Students who only memorise long answers often lose marks for irrelevance. Regular timed practice, careful reading of each question and short plans before writing make the subject much more manageable.