Overview of Research-Based Essay (RBE). The RBE is Section D of the Edexcel A2 specification. Students write an essay in Chinese (250–500 characters) about an area of interest to them and which they have researched in advance. Students are be free to set their own titles for this activity. All research must link to Chinese culture and/or society and to a specific topic area, film or book chosen from a prescribed list. Students are not permitted to take any books, notes, dictionaries or texts into the examination room.
