# O Level Urdu (3248) tutoring online

> 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.

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

Taught by: our most qualified teachers for the subject.

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 examined?

### Cambridge O Level Second Language Urdu (3248), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Reading and Writing | 1 hour 45 minutes | 50 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Grammar, Writing and Translation | 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.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-o-level-urdu-second-language-3248/

### Cambridge O Level First Language Urdu (3247), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Reading and Writing | 1 hour 30 minutes | 50 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Texts | 2 hours | 50 | 50% |

Examined in the June series only. All answers in Urdu. Cannot be combined with 3248 in the same series.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-o-level-urdu-first-language-3247/

## What topics are in O Level Urdu?

- Reading for gist and detail (Paper 1, Exercise 1): Writing long answers when a single word or phrase is required.
- Multiple matching (Paper 1, Exercise 2): Matching on a repeated keyword instead of the meaning of the whole paragraph.
- Note-making under headings (Paper 1, Exercise 3): Copying full sentences or placing a point under the wrong heading.
- 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.
- Functional writing, such as an email (Paper 1, Exercise 5): Missing one of the stimulus prompts or using the wrong register for the audience.
- Sentence transformation (Paper 2, Exercise 1): Changing the meaning of the sentence while transforming its structure.
- Grammar in context: cloze passage (Paper 2, Exercise 2): Errors in verb conjugation, gender agreement and postpositions.
- Extended writing of about 200 words (Paper 2, Exercise 3): Weak organisation and a narrow range of vocabulary for the stated purpose.
- Translation from English into Urdu (Paper 2, Exercise 4): Literal word-for-word translation that sounds unnatural, and phrases left out.

## How do you get top marks?

- 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.

## 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

### 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.