Mark Scheme (Results)
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
English Language and Literature
Advanced Subsidiary (9EL0)
Paper 2: Varieties in Language and Literature
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation
in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79730A
Publication Code 9EL0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first candidate
in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what they
have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their perception of
where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should always
award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should
also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit
according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which
marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an
alternative response.
Specific Marking Guidance
When deciding how to reward an answer, examiners should consult both the indicative
content and the associated marking grid(s). When using a levels-based mark scheme, the
‘best fit’ approach should be used.
• examiners should first decide which descriptor most closely matches the answer and
place it in that level
• the mark awarded within the level will be decided based on the quality of the answer and
will be modified according to how securely all bullet points are displayed at that level
• in cases of uneven performance, the points above will still apply. Candidates will be
placed in the level that best describes their answer according to each of the Assessment
Objectives described in the level. Marks will be awarded towards the top or bottom of
that level depending on how they have evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points
• examiners of Advanced GCE English should remember that all Assessment Objectives
within a level are equally weighed. They must consider this when making their judgements
• the mark grid identifies which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet
point within the level descriptors
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
English Language and Literature
Advanced Subsidiary (9EL0)
Paper 2: Varieties in Language and Literature
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international
reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation
in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79730A
Publication Code 9EL0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first candidate
in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what they
have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their perception of
where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should always
award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should
also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit
according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which
marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an
alternative response.
Specific Marking Guidance
When deciding how to reward an answer, examiners should consult both the indicative
content and the associated marking grid(s). When using a levels-based mark scheme, the
‘best fit’ approach should be used.
• examiners should first decide which descriptor most closely matches the answer and
place it in that level
• the mark awarded within the level will be decided based on the quality of the answer and
will be modified according to how securely all bullet points are displayed at that level
• in cases of uneven performance, the points above will still apply. Candidates will be
placed in the level that best describes their answer according to each of the Assessment
Objectives described in the level. Marks will be awarded towards the top or bottom of
that level depending on how they have evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points
• examiners of Advanced GCE English should remember that all Assessment Objectives
within a level are equally weighed. They must consider this when making their judgements
• the mark grid identifies which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet
point within the level descriptors
