AQA GCSE English Language (specification 8700) is assessed by two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes each, worth 80 marks and 50% of the GCSE apiece. Each paper has a reading section worth 40 marks and a writing section worth 40 marks. There is no coursework. Spoken Language is assessed separately and does not count towards your 9-1 grade.
Where these figures come from
Every duration, mark and question on these pages was read from AQA's own published material: the 8700 specification and scheme of assessment on aqa.org.uk, and the specimen question papers and specimen mark schemes on AQA's file store.
Per-question marks were confirmed against the top mark band of each level-marked question in the specimen mark schemes, and they add up to the section totals printed on the papers.
RCF English is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by AQA. No AQA question, source text or mark scheme wording is reproduced anywhere on this site.
The two papers at a glance
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing | Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives |
| Time | 1 hour 45 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Marks | 80 | 80 |
| Weighting | 50% of the GCSE | 50% of the GCSE |
| Reading sources | One literature fiction text, 20th or 21st century | Two linked sources from different centuries: one 19th century, one 20th or 21st century, non-fiction and literary non-fiction |
| Section A: Reading | 40 marks, four questions | 40 marks, four questions |
| Section B: Writing | 40 marks, one question | 40 marks, one question |
| Writing task | Descriptive or narrative, from a choice | Present a point of view, in a stated form |
| Reading AOs | AO1, AO2, AO4 | AO1, AO2, AO3 |
| Writing AOs | AO5, AO6 | AO5, AO6 |
Every question and what it is worth
| Q | Paper 1 | Marks | Paper 2 | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | List four things from a short section of the source | 4 | Choose four true statements from a list of eight | 4 |
| 2 | How the writer uses language in a given extract | 8 | Summary of differences or similarities, using both sources | 8 |
| 3 | How the writer has structured the whole text | 8 | How the writer of one source uses language | 12 |
| 4 | Evaluate: to what extent do you agree with a statement | 20 | Compare how the two writers convey their attitudes | 16 |
| 5 | Descriptive or narrative writing | 40 | Write to present a point of view | 40 |
The timings AQA prints on the paper
Both papers carry the same advice on the front cover and at the head of each section. This is AQA's own wording, not a revision guide's suggestion, so it is worth following.
- About 15 minutes reading through the source or sources and all five questions.
- About 45 minutes on Section A, the reading section.
- About 45 minutes on Section B, the writing section.
- Leave time to check your answers.
AQA does not publish a time for each question
It gives you the section times above and leaves the split to you. Where these pages suggest a minute count for an individual question, that is an RCF recommendation worked out from the marks - roughly a minute a mark in Section A, plus planning time - and it is labelled as such. Nobody will mark you down for spending your 45 minutes differently.
The assessment objectives, in plain English
Reading
- AO1 - find information and ideas, both stated and implied, and bring evidence together from more than one text.
- AO2 - explain and analyse how writers use language and structure to affect the reader, using the right terms.
- AO3 - compare writers' ideas and viewpoints, and how they put them across, across two or more texts.
- AO4 - evaluate a text critically and back your judgement with references.
Writing
- AO5 - communicate clearly and imaginatively, choosing tone, style and register to suit the form, purpose and audience. This is the 24 marks for content and organisation.
- AO6 - use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with accurate spelling and punctuation. This is the 16 marks for technical accuracy, and AQA states it must be 20% of the marks for the qualification.
Spoken Language
AO7, AO8 and AO9 cover presenting formally, responding to questions and using spoken Standard English. AQA assesses this through a prepared presentation of no more than ten minutes, marked by your teacher as Pass, Merit or Distinction. It is reported separately and carries no weighting towards the 9-1 grade.
Work through the qualification
Paper 1 overview
The fiction reading paper and the creative writing task, section by section.
Paper 1 question by question
Questions 1 to 4: purpose, marks, method, worked example and practice.
Paper 1 creative writing
Question 5: description and narrative, and how the 24 and 16 marks are earned.
Paper 2 overview
Two non-fiction sources from different centuries, and the viewpoint writing task.
Paper 2 question by question
Questions 1 to 4, including the 12-mark language question and the 16-mark comparison.
Paper 2 viewpoint writing
Question 5: articles, letters, speeches and essays that argue a case.
Language analysis techniques
What to notice, what to name, and how to write about effect.
Comparing writers' viewpoints
The method for the 16-mark comparison question.
Planning and structuring answers
Paragraph shapes that work for each question type.
Common mistakes
The errors that cost the most marks, and how to stop making them.
Revision strategies
How to revise a skills examination with no set texts.
Past papers and model papers
Official AQA papers and mark schemes, plus the original RCF model paper.
Questions about AQA GCSE English Language
How long is AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1?
1 hour 45 minutes, for 80 marks. AQA advises spending about 15 minutes reading the source and all five questions, about 45 minutes on Section A and about 45 minutes on Section B. Paper 2 is exactly the same length and carries the same advice.
How many marks is each question worth on AQA English Language?
On Paper 1: Question 1 is 4 marks, Question 2 is 8, Question 3 is 8, Question 4 is 20 and Question 5 is 40. On Paper 2: Question 1 is 4 marks, Question 2 is 8, Question 3 is 12, Question 4 is 16 and Question 5 is 40. On both papers the writing question is split into 24 marks for content and organisation and 16 for technical accuracy.
Do I need to learn any texts for AQA English Language?
No. Every source in both papers is unseen, and you meet it for the first time in the examination. That is why revision here means practising skills and question methods rather than memorising content. English Literature is the GCSE with set texts.
Is there a Foundation and Higher tier for GCSE English Language?
No. GCSE English Language is untiered: every student sits the same papers and the full grade range from 9 to 1 is available on them.
Does the Spoken Language endorsement affect my grade?
No. AQA assesses it through a prepared formal presentation of no more than ten minutes, marked by your teacher as Pass, Merit or Distinction on a competency basis. It is reported separately on your certificate and has a 0% weighting towards the 9-1 grade.
Can I use a dictionary in the exam?
No. Both specimen papers state plainly that you must not use a dictionary.
Related pages
GCSE English overview
All four boards and their specification codes.
AQA past papers and model papers
Official AQA materials and the RCF practice paper.
Global English
Every international qualification covered on this site.