Mark Scheme (Results)
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
In English Language (9EN0)
Paper 3: Investigating Language
1
for more:
,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 or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at
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:
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79735RRA
Publication Code 9EN0_03_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
for more:
, 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
The marking grids have been designed to assess student work holistically. The grids
identify which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet point within
the level descriptors. One bullet point is linked to one Assessment Objective,
however please note that the number of bullet points in the level descriptor does
not directly correlate to the number of marks in the level descriptor.
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
3
for more:
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
In English Language (9EN0)
Paper 3: Investigating Language
1
for more:
,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 or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
contact us page at
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:
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79735RRA
Publication Code 9EN0_03_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
for more:
, 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
The marking grids have been designed to assess student work holistically. The grids
identify which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet point within
the level descriptors. One bullet point is linked to one Assessment Objective,
however please note that the number of bullet points in the level descriptor does
not directly correlate to the number of marks in the level descriptor.
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
3
for more:
