Cambridge International AS & A Level
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry February/March 2026
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 12 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A: Drama Generic Marking Principles
Answer one question from this section. These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level
EDWARD ALBEE: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
1 Either (a) Discuss some of the dramatic ways in which Albee explores different attitudes to
education in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
Or (b) Discuss Albee’s presentation of the relationship between Martha and George in
the following extract. In your answer, you should pay close attention to dramatic • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
methods and their effects. • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
GEORGE: I’m tired, dear … it’s late … and besides … GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Content removed due to restrictions. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/F/M/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 12
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
3 PUBLISHED
English & Media subject specific general marking principles
(To be read in conjunction with the Generic Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance
on how to place marks within levels))
Components using level descriptors:
• We use level descriptors as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected
of, or typical of, work in a level.
• Level descriptors are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle
statements.
• Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of
Content removed due to restrictions. required content, and must not be treated as such. Alternative correct points and unexpected
answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
• While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we
must at all times be prepared to meet candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant
ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and meeting the mark
scheme requirements for the question).
GEORGE: [Defeated ] Oh, Lord.
(from Act 1 – Fun and Games)
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/F/M/26 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 12
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry February/March 2026
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 12 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A: Drama Generic Marking Principles
Answer one question from this section. These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level
EDWARD ALBEE: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
1 Either (a) Discuss some of the dramatic ways in which Albee explores different attitudes to
education in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
Or (b) Discuss Albee’s presentation of the relationship between Martha and George in
the following extract. In your answer, you should pay close attention to dramatic • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
methods and their effects. • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
GEORGE: I’m tired, dear … it’s late … and besides … GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Content removed due to restrictions. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/F/M/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 12
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
3 PUBLISHED
English & Media subject specific general marking principles
(To be read in conjunction with the Generic Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance
on how to place marks within levels))
Components using level descriptors:
• We use level descriptors as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected
of, or typical of, work in a level.
• Level descriptors are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle
statements.
• Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of
Content removed due to restrictions. required content, and must not be treated as such. Alternative correct points and unexpected
answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
• While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we
must at all times be prepared to meet candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant
ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and meeting the mark
scheme requirements for the question).
GEORGE: [Defeated ] Oh, Lord.
(from Act 1 – Fun and Games)
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/F/M/26 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 12
