Eduqas GCSE English Language
The one board that splits its papers by century rather than by skill. Twentieth-century literature on one paper, nineteenth and twenty-first century non-fiction on the other.
Where these figures come from
Component titles, durations and weightings were read from the Summary of Assessment table in the WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language specification. The reading and writing weightings come from the Assessment Objectives and Weightings section of the same document.
Eduqas materials are linked, never copied. No question, source text or mark scheme wording is reproduced here, and no paper-sharing site is linked.
RCF English is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by Eduqas or WJEC.
Eduqas divides English Language differently from the other three boards. AQA, Edexcel and OCR all split their papers broadly by kind of text - fiction on one paper, non-fiction on the other. Eduqas splits by century. Component 1 is twentieth-century literature and your own creative prose. Component 2 puts a nineteenth-century non-fiction text beside a twenty-first-century one and asks for transactional or persuasive writing. If you have prepared for another board, this is the difference that will catch you out.
The qualification at a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Board and specification | WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language, C700QS |
| Qualification number | 601/4505/5 |
| Component 1 | 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing. Written examination, 1 hour 45 minutes, 40% of the qualification. |
| Component 2 | 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing. Written examination, 2 hours, 60% of the qualification. |
| Component 3 | Spoken Language. Non-exam assessment, unweighted. |
| Reading and writing | Reading 50%, Writing 50% of the assessed qualification. |
| Spelling, punctuation and grammar | Eduqas states that SPaG makes up 20% of the qualification. |
| Extended questions | Eduqas describes its long tariff questions as worth 10 marks. |
| Set texts | None. Both components use unseen material. |
Three things the structure tells you to do
Component 2 is worth half as much again as Component 1 - 60% against 40% - and it is the longer paper at two hours. If revision time has to be divided unevenly, this is the paper that should get more of it.
Reading and writing are worth the same. Writing is 50% of the qualification across the two papers. Candidates who treat the writing task as the thing they do after the reading are gambling with half their grade.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar are 20% on their own. That is a fifth of the whole qualification, it needs no wider reading, and it is the most improvable part of the course. Five minutes of checking at the end of each paper protects more marks here than anywhere else.
Assessment objectives
| Area | Weighting | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 50% | Reading and understanding a range of texts: identifying and interpreting information and ideas, explaining and analysing how writers use language and structure, comparing writers' ideas and perspectives, and evaluating texts critically with textual reference. |
| Writing | 50% | Communicating clearly, effectively and imaginatively, adapting tone, style and register for form, purpose and audience; organising information and ideas; and using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation. |
| Spoken Language | Unweighted | Assessed and reported separately. It does not contribute to the overall GCSE grade. |
The spoken language endorsement
Component 3 is non-exam assessment and is unweighted. Eduqas states plainly that speaking skills are assessed but do not contribute to the overall grade.
- It is a compulsory part of the course even though it earns no marks towards the grade.
- It is reported separately on the certificate.
- The arrangements for spoken language are consistent across all examination boards, so guidance written for AQA, Edexcel or OCR applies here too.
- Eduqas publishes guidance for candidates with communication or hearing needs as an appendix to the specification.
The Eduqas pages here
Component 1
20th century literature reading and creative prose writing: 1 hour 45 minutes, 40%.
Component 2
19th and 21st century non-fiction and transactional writing: 2 hours, 60%.
Past papers
Official Eduqas papers, mark schemes, exemplars and the specification.
Common questions about Eduqas English Language
What is the difference between Eduqas and WJEC?
They are the same organisation. WJEC is the awarding body; Eduqas is the brand it uses for qualifications designed for England, which follow the English reformed GCSE rules.
Documents are often headed WJEC Eduqas, which is why both names appear on the specification. If you are entered for C700QS you are taking the Eduqas qualification.
Which paper has the 19th-century text?
Component 2. It pairs a nineteenth-century non-fiction text with a twenty-first-century one.
This is worth noting if you have prepared using another board's material. AQA puts its nineteenth-century source on Paper 2 as well, but pairs it with a modern non-fiction text; Edexcel and OCR both put their nineteenth-century text on the fiction paper. Eduqas is the only one of the four whose papers are divided by century rather than by text type.
Are there set texts to learn?
No. Both components use unseen material, so there is nothing to memorise and no prescribed reading list.
This means revision is entirely about method: how to approach an unfamiliar text under time pressure, and how to plan a piece of writing quickly.
How much does spelling and punctuation actually matter?
A great deal. Eduqas states that spelling, punctuation and grammar make up 20% of the qualification.
That is a fifth of the grade available for something that requires no reading, no set text and no wider knowledge - only care. It is the single most improvable part of the course.
Can I use AQA or OCR past papers to practise?
For reading and writing skills, yes. All four boards assess the same national assessment objectives, so analysis of language and structure, comparison and evaluation all transfer.
For timing and structure, no. The component split, durations and weightings differ, and Eduqas's division by century means the text pairings are unlike any other board's. Use other boards' material for skills practice and Eduqas's own papers for full mock conditions.
Related pages
Component 1
Literature reading and creative writing.
Component 2
Non-fiction reading and transactional writing.
Past papers
Official Eduqas materials.
GCSE English overview
All four boards compared.