AQA GCSE English Language: Everything you need to know

Are you tackling your English Language GCSE? If you’re taking the AQA exam, read on for a full breakdown of what to expect.

Whether you’re just curious or deep in revision, understanding the exam format, the mark scheme, and what marks you need to achieve your target grade will help you enter the exam hall calm, confident and ready. Read on to find out more.

Not sure which exam board your school uses? Take a look at our guide to finding out which exam board you’re studying.

Key takeaways:

• The AQA GCSE English Language exam consists of two written papers and a non-exam speaking assessment.

• The papers are both 1 hour and 45 minutes long and worth 80 marks.

• GCSE grade boundaries are set after the exam. Take a look at the table below to get a sense of what they could be.

What’s the format of the AQA GCSE English Language exam?

The AQA English Language exam consists of the following:

• Two written papers with a total of 160 marks available.
• Both papers are 1 hour and 45 minutes long and worth 80 marks.
• They are equally weighted.
• There is also a non-exam assessment, which does not contribute to your overall GCSE grade.

What’s the difference between Papers 1 and 2 for AQA English Language?

The two papers are of equal length and weighting, but test different parts of the English Language curriculum.

Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing

• This paper explores fiction with both reading and writing-based questions.
• You will be asked a series of questions on unseen fiction extracts in section 1.
• Section 2 will ask you to write a creative piece based on one of two prompts.

Take a look at the AQA English Language Paper 1 from May 2024 to learn more.

Paper 2: Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives

Similar to Paper 1, the second exam is split into two parts, with a focus on reading and then writing:

• This paper explores non-fiction with both reading and writing-based questions.
• Once again, you’ll be asked a series of questions on unseen texts provided in the paper.
• Section 2 will then ask you to write a longer non-fiction piece, such as a speech or article.

Take a look at the AQA English Language Paper 2 from May 2024 to learn more.

Is the AQA Engligh Language GCSE exam changing?

Yes! AQA has announced that for 2026 the English language exam will have a few key changes. These include:

• For Paper 1, there is a new multiple-choice format for questions at the start of the paper
• There will now be separate marks for reading and writing
• Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar will be more important for your final grade
• The paper will also focus more on 19th-century texts
• The exam board has also aimed to make it's questions clearer and more accessible

What are examiners looking for?

Examiners are assessing both your reading comprehension skills and your ability to write in different formats.

The assessment objectives for AQA English Language are:

• AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit meanings, and select and synthesise evidence from texts.
• AO2: Explain, comment on, and analyse how writers use language, structure, and form to achieve effects and influence readers, making relevant reference to literary/rhetorical devices.
• AO3: Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, and how they are presented across texts.
• AO4: Evaluate texts critically and construct their own writing, demonstrating coherence, effectiveness and accuracy.

Find out more about what examiners are looking for by taking a look at previous AQA GCSE English Language mark schemes.

What are the grade boundaries for AQA GCSE English Language?

It’s important to remember that the exact grade boundaries for your GCSE exams will change every year. Exam boards adjust the grade boundaries after an exam has happened, depending on how advanced the exam content was and how the cohort performed.

This is so students don’t have an advantage or disadvantage because of the year they took the paper. For example, if your paper were harder, grade boundaries would be lowered so that a grade 5 reflects the same level of knowledge as in previous years.

To give a sense of what to expect, here are the grade boundaries for the last few years’ AQA English Language GCSE:

As you can see, the grade boundaries haven’t changed much in the last few years. While we can’t say what marks you’ll need for your exam, you can use this table as a guide to what marks to aim for to get your target grade.

How can I prepare for GCSE English Language?

Here are 5 top tips for preparing for your GCSE English Language exams:

1. Master your analytical skills

A key area that GCSE English Language tests is your ability to analyse and understand texts.

• Every time you read a text, annotate it for metaphors, similes, alliteration, rhetorical questions, and tone. Make sure to look at the structural choices, too.
• Always ask yourself; Why did the writer do that? What effect does it produce for the reader?
• Remember to back up your analysis with quotes and explain the impact of these devices.

Top tip: Try teaching others what you know about a text to help build confidence in your understanding.

2. Practise writing little and often

English Language exam questions ask you to answer a variety of questions, including essays, and to write your own pieces.

• Practise writing PEE/PEEL paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) as a clear way to structure your thoughts.
• Use past papers and practise writing answers under timed conditions.
• Focus on analysing the texts. Think about how language, structure, and form create meaning.
• Practise creative writing using prompts and get feedback from your teacher or friends to help you improve.

Top tip: Use practice papers under timed conditions to get used to planning and writing clear answers.

3. Don’t forget to practise comparing and contrasting

In both papers, you’ll be asked to compare and contrast texts. It’s a good idea to practise this and get used to drawing parallels between different source materials.

• Practise comparing vocabulary, tone, viewpoint, structure, and the effects of these on the audience.
• Think about how you structure your comparisons to keep your writing clear and easy to understand.

Top tip: Colour code your notes to help organise your thoughts and make them easier to digest.

4. Practise with past papers and mark schemes

Testing your skills with past papers is a great way to build speed, accuracy and confidence. Incorporate test questions into your revision routine to help put your learning into practice.

• Practise writing plans for answers and outlines for essays to build a strong habit.
• Try taking the full exam, working through it in your own time and noting which sections you found easiest and most challenging.

Top tip: Take a look at our guide to revising with past papers.

5. Mimic test conditions

Set yourself up for success by practising in exam conditions to get used to working quickly and with full focus.

• Try to sit a full paper under timed conditions, without your notes or texts.
• Afterwards, mark your own work using the AQA marking criteria or swap with a friend and mark each other.
• Reflect on the process: How did you manage your time? Did you plan before writing? Which areas do you need to work on?

Top tip: Break down each question into chunks and set yourself enough time to answer each section.

For more revision top tips, check out our blog on GCSE study habits to build.

AQA English Language GCSE is designed to test you on a range of reading and writing skills. With solid revision and practice, you’re sure to feel confident and ready to ace your final exams. Bookmark this breakdown as a reminder of what to expect - good luck!