GCSE

Specification and Past Paper documents for GCSE English Language and English Literature

English Language PAPER 1 Practice Paper

English Language PAPER 2 INSERT

English Language PAPER 2 Practice Paper

English Literature PAPER 1 Practice Paper

English Literature PAPER 2 Practice Paper

GCSE English Language AQA Specification

GCSE English Literature AQA Specification

GCSE Overview

GCSE English Language

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Section A: Analysing unseen literary fiction
Section B: Descriptive or narrative writing
Written Exam: 1 hr 45 minutes
80 marks
50% of GCSE

Paper 2: Viewpoints and Perspectives

Section A: Analysing and comparing unseen non-fiction
Section B: Writing to present a viewpoint
Written Exam: 1 hr 45 minutes
80 marks
50% of GCSE

GCSE English Language: Non-examined compulsory assessment
Spoken Language
Independent presentation
Teacher set and assessed
Separate endorsement on certificate (0% weighting of GCSE)

GCSE English Literature

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel

Section A: Shakespeare essay
Section B: 19th Century novel essay
Written Exam: 1 hr 45 minutes
64 marks
40% of GCSE

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Section A: Modern text essay
Section B: Poetry essays – studied texts and unseen
Written Exam: 2hrs 15 minutes
96 marks
60% of GCSE

If you want to read up ahead, we’ll send a list out to you at the very end of Y9, confirming your text choices for the GCSE and a list of study guides that will help you along the way.

Examination board:

Our examination board is AQA and the full course titles and specification codes are:
GCSE English Language (8700)
GCSE English Literature (8702)

Useful Subject Links:

You can find out additional information, or, download copies of the specification, from the links below:
English Language
English Literature