GCSE Revision

English Language exam guide

AQA GCSE English Language (8700). Two papers of equal weight. Each has a reading section on sources you haven't seen before and a writing section, worth 40 marks each.

Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing

1 hour 45 minutes · 80 marks · 50% of the GCSE

Section A is on one extract of 20th- or 21st-century fiction. Section B is your own descriptive or narrative writing. Spend about 15 minutes reading the sources and questions first.

Try a timed practice Paper 1

Section A: Reading (40 marks)

Section B: Writing (40 marks)

Paper 2: Writers' viewpoints and perspectives

1 hour 45 minutes · 80 marks · 50% of the GCSE

Section A is on two linked non-fiction sources, one from the 19th century and one from the 20th or 21st. Section B is your own writing to present a viewpoint. Spend about 15 minutes reading the sources and questions first.

Try a timed practice Paper 2

Section A: Reading (40 marks)

Question 1

4 marks · about 5 minutes

Choose four true statements about a set part of one source.

Assesses: AO1

Marked: one mark for each correct point

Question 1: true statements

Section B: Writing (40 marks)

AQA advises about 15 minutes to read the sources and about 45 minutes on Section B. The times for each reading question are suggestions: about a minute a mark.

Assessment objectives

What examiners give marks for. Each question tests one or more of these.

Assessment objectives
AOWhat it meansAssessed in
AO1Find and interpret information and ideas, whether stated or implied, and bring evidence together from two texts.Paper 1 Question 1; Paper 2 Question 1; Paper 2 Question 2
AO2Explain and analyse how writers use language and structure for effect, using subject terms.Paper 1 Question 2; Paper 1 Question 3; Paper 2 Question 3
AO3Compare writers' ideas and perspectives, and how they put them across.Paper 2 Question 4
AO4Evaluate a text critically, with quotations to back up your view.Paper 1 Question 4
AO5Write clearly and imaginatively, in a tone and style that suits your form, purpose and audience, and organise it well.Paper 1 Question 5; Paper 2 Question 5
AO6Use varied vocabulary and sentences, with accurate spelling and punctuation.Paper 1 Question 5; Paper 2 Question 5

Levels

Examiners place an answer in a level, then choose a mark within it. The key words show what each level rewards.

Reading questions (8 to 20 marks)

Reading questions (8 to 20 marks)
LevelMarksKey wordsWhat it looks like
4variesPerceptive, detailedInsightful analysis or comparison, with precise, well-chosen evidence.
3variesClear, relevantClear explanation, with relevant evidence and accurate subject terms.
2variesSome, attemptsSome understanding, and an attempt to comment, with some evidence.
1variesSimple, limitedSimple comments, with limited evidence.

Writing: content and organisation (AO5, 24 marks)

Writing: content and organisation (AO5, 24 marks)
LevelMarksKey wordsWhat it looks like
419–24Compelling, convincingEngaging, well-crafted writing, matched to its audience, with a varied, effective structure.
313–18Consistent, clearClear, engaging writing in a suitable tone, with linked paragraphs.
27–12Some successSome awareness of purpose and audience, and some use of paragraphs.
11–6Simple, limitedSimple ideas, with little sense of audience or structure.

Writing: technical accuracy (AO6, 16 marks)

Writing: technical accuracy (AO6, 16 marks)
LevelMarksKey wordsWhat it looks like
413–16–Sentences always correctly punctuated, a wide range of punctuation and sentence forms, ambitious vocabulary and accurate spelling.
39–12–Sentences mostly secure, a range of punctuation and sentence forms, and mostly accurate spelling, including of harder words.
25–8–Sentences mostly secure, some range of punctuation, and some accurate spelling of harder words.
11–4–Some secure sentences, some punctuation, and accurate spelling of simple words.