This document outlines the specifications for the Al-Azhar Secondary Certificate Exam for both the scientific and literary sections. It details the structure, content, and scoring of the two exam papers given for each section over a 2 hour period. For both sections, paper 1 tests language functions, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Paper 2 evaluates vocabulary, grammar, literature/novel questions, and translation abilities. The exam aims to assess students' mastery of the English language content covered throughout the academic year.

1. Al-Azhar al- Sharif
Sector of Al-Azhar Institutes
English Language Counsellor’s Office
Specifications for Al-Azhar Secondary Certificate Exam 2012 / 2013 – Scientific Section
Time: 2 Hours
First Paper
Total Mark: 20 Marks
A- Language Functions [5 Marks]
1- Dialogue: Supply the missing parts in the following dialogue:
[3 Marks]
A dialogue with three spaces is given. The topic of the dialogue should be related to the students
everyday life, interests, hobbies, events and the like. Students are asked to fill in the spaces with the
appropriate language forms.
(One mark each)
2- Situations: Write what you would say in each of the following situations:
[ 2 Marks ]
Two situations are described briefly but clearly. Students are asked to write the appropriate language form
they would say in each situation.
(One mark each)
B- Comprehension
[8 Marks]
3- Read the following passage, then answer the questions:
[8 Marks]
An unseen text is provided. Most vocabulary and all structures should be from the Set Books. Students
are asked to answer three open-ended questions and two multiple-choice ones.
( Two marks for each open-ended question and half a mark for each multiple-choice one )
C- Writing
[7 Marks]
4- Paragraph writing: Write a paragraph of not less than (8) lines on: ….
[4 Marks]
Students are asked to write a paragraph of not less than (8) lines on/about a topic appealing to their age,
interests, likes, aspirations, etc. . The title of the paragraph should be easy to understand. Guiding words
may be given. If so, students can make use of them.
5- Letter-writing: Write a letter to…… :
[3 Marks]
Students are asked to write a personal ( friendly or family ) letter. The topic of the letter should be easy to
understand. The address, the date and the name of the sender and the addressee must be mentioned.
Time: 2 Hours
Second Paper
Total Marks: 20 Marks
A- Vocabulary & Structure [5 Marks]
1- Choice: Choose the right answers:
[5 Marks]
multiple-choice items with four options each based on the Set Books are given. Students are asked to
choose the right word(s).
(Half a mark each)
2- Finding mistakes: Find the mistake in each of the following sentences, then correct them: [5 Marks]
Five separate sentences are given. Students are asked to find the mistakes in the sentences given, then
correct them.
(One mark each)
B- The Novel [5 Marks]
3- Answer the following questions:
[2 Marks]
Students are asked to answer five questions about the chapters taught during the academic year. The
questions must be three open-ended questions and two questions based on one quotation.
(One mark each )

2. C- Translation [5 Marks]
4- A- Translate into Arabic:
(Three marks)
Students are asked to translate the meaningful sentences given from English into Arabic.
B- Translate into English:
(Two mark)
Students are asked to translate one meaningful sentence from Arabic into English.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Specifications for Al-Azhar Secondary Certificate Exam 2012 / 2013 – Literary Section
Time: 2 Hours
First Paper
Total Mark: 25 Marks
A- Language Functions [5 Marks]
1- Dialogue: Supply the missing parts in the following dialogue:
[3 Marks]
A dialogue with three spaces is given. The topic of the dialogue should be related to the students
everyday life, interests, hobbies, events and the like. Students are asked to fill in the spaces with the
appropriate language forms.
(One mark each)
2- Situations: Write what you would say in each of the following situations:
[ 2 Marks ]
Two situations are described briefly but clearly. Students are asked to write the appropriate language form
they would say in each situation.
(One mark each)
B- Comprehension
[10 Marks]
3- Read the following passage, then answer the questions:
[10 Marks]
An unseen text is provided. Most vocabulary and all structures should be from the Set Books. Students
are asked to answer three open-ended questions and two multiple-choice ones.
( Two marks for each open-ended question and half a mark for each multiple-choice one )
C- Writing
[10 Marks]
4- Paragraph writing: Write a paragraph of not less than (8) lines on: ….
[5 Marks]
Students are asked to write a paragraph of not less than (8) lines on/about a topic appealing to their age,
interests, likes, aspirations, etc. . The title of the paragraph should be easy to understand. Guiding words
may be given. If so, students can make use of them.
5- Letter-writing: Write a letter to…… :
[5 Marks]
Students are asked to write a personal ( friendly or family ) letter. The topic of the letter should be easy to
understand. The address, the date and the name of the sender and the addressee must be mentioned.
Time: 2 Hours
Second Paper
Total Marks: 35 Marks
A- Vocabulary & Structure [20 Marks]
1- Choice: Choose the right answers:
[10 Marks]
multiple-choice items with four options each based on the Set Books are given. Students are asked to
choose the right word(s).
(One mark each)
2- Finding mistakes: Find the mistake in each of the following sentences, then correct them:
[10 Marks]

3. Ten separate sentences are given. Students are asked to find the mistakes in the sentences given, then
correct them.
(One mark each)
C- Islamic Selections [10 Marks]
6- Answer the following questions:
[10 Marks]
Students are asked to answer five questions about the units taught during the academic year.
(Two marks each)
C- Translation [5 Marks]
4- A- Translate into Arabic:
(Three marks)
Students are asked to translate the meaningful sentences given from English into Arabic.
B- Translate into English:
(Two mark)
Students are asked to translate one meaningful sentence from Arabic into English.