AQA Spanish GCSE: everything you need to know

AQA GCSE Spanish can feel like a lot at first. Four exams, different skills, and plenty of vocabulary to remember. 

Once you understand how the course is structured and what examiners are really looking for, it becomes much more manageable.

This guide breaks everything down clearly, so you know what to expect in each paper, which topics you need to revise, and how to prepare in a way that actually boosts your marks. 

Whether you’re early in your revision or heading into exam season, this is your go-to overview for AQA GCSE Spanish.

Key takeaways

• AQA GCSE Spanish is made up of four exam papers, all taken at the end of the course
• You’ll be assessed on listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• There is no coursework, but the speaking exam is conducted by your teacher
• Exams are available at Foundation and Higher tiers
• Strong vocabulary, grammar knowledge, and exam technique are key to reaching top grades

What’s the format for AQA GCSE Spanish?

The AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) exam consists of:

• Four exam papers, all taken at the end of Year 11
• Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing assessments
• A total of 240 marks across all papers
• Foundation tier (grades 1–5) and Higher tier (grades 4–9)
• Your final grade is based entirely on exam performance

Each skill is worth 25% of your total grade, so balanced preparation across all four papers is essential.

What’s the difference between Higher and Foundation for AQA Spanish?

AQA splits GCSE Spanish into a Foundation tier and a Higher tier.

Both tiers assess the same four language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, but the difficulty of the language, questions, and expectations are different.

Foundation tier AQA Spanish

The Foundation tier focuses on essential language skills for everyday communication.

At Foundation tier:

• The highest grade you can achieve is grade 5
• Vocabulary and grammar are more straightforward
• Questions are more structured and supported

You’ll sit four papers, all at Foundation level:

• Listening – understanding short and longer spoken passages
• Speaking – role play, photo card, and short conversations
• Reading – understanding written texts and short translations into English
• Writing – structured writing tasks and short translations into Spanish

Foundation tier rewards clear communication, accurate basic grammar, and confident use of common vocabulary.

Higher tier AQA Spanish

Higher-tier Spanish covers the same themes, but at a more demanding level.

At the Higher tier:

• You can achieve up to a grade 9, the highest possible grade
• Language is more complex, with a wider range of vocabulary
• You’re expected to use different time frames and more developed opinions

You’ll also sit four papers, all at Higher level:

• Listening – longer recordings with more detailed questions
• Speaking – extended answers in the photo card and general conversation
• Reading – longer texts and more challenging translation tasks
• Writing – extended writing, greater accuracy, and more complex grammar

Higher-tier rewards precision, range, and confidence in communication.

How tiering works

• Your school will place you in either Foundation or Higher tier, usually based on your performance in Years 9 and 10
• You can sometimes move between tiers during Years 10 or 11
• You must take all four papers at the same tier

Choosing the right tier is about balancing challenge and confidence, aiming high while setting yourself up to score well.

What are examiners looking for?

AQA Spanish examiners mark your work using clear assessment objectives. In simple terms, they want to see that you can:

• AO1: Understand and respond to spoken and written language
• AO2: Communicate clearly in speech and writing
• AO3: Demonstrate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary

To reach the top grades, you’ll need to:

• Use a wide range of vocabulary
  Avoid repeating basic words. More precise language earns higher marks.
  
  
• Use grammar correctly
  Correct verb forms, tenses, and word order matter, especially at Higher tier.
  
  
• Develop your answers
  Longer responses should include opinions, reasons, and extra detail.
  
  
• Match your language to the question
  Respond clearly and directly to what’s being asked, especially in writing and speaking tasks.

What are the grade boundaries for AQA Spanish?

It’s important to remember that the exact grade boundaries for your GCSE exams will change every year. Exam boards adjust grade boundaries after an exam, depending on the exam's difficulty 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 AQA Spanish GCSE from the last year:

Higher tier:

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Foundation tier:

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What key topics do I need to know for AQA GCSE Spanish?

All students study the same three broad themes in AQA GCSE Spanish.

Theme 1: Identity and culture

• Me, my family and friends
• Technology in everyday life
• Free-time activities
• Customs and festivals in Spanish-speaking countries

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

• Home, town, neighbourhood and region
• Social issues
• Global issues
• Travel and tourism

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

• My studies
• Life at school and college
• Education post-16
• Jobs, career choices, and ambitions

These themes appear across all four papers, so revising topics in an integrated way helps reinforce vocabulary and ideas.

Where can I find past papers and mark schemes?

Practising with past papers and mark schemes is one of the most effective ways to prepare for GCSE Spanish.

Past papers help you understand question styles, see how marks are awarded, and build confidence with real exam timing and structure.

Head to the AQA website to find past papers and mark schemes from previous GCSE Spanish exams. 

How can I prepare for AQA GCSE Spanish?

Here are 5 top tips to help you prepare confidently for your AQA GCSE Spanish exams.

1. Build vocabulary a little and often

Vocabulary is the foundation of every paper.

• Learn words by theme, not in isolation
• Practise spelling as well as meaning
• Revisit vocabulary regularly to lock it in

Top tip: Focus on high-frequency verbs and opinion phrases like ser, tener, gustar, querer, pienso que, and porque. These appear across all topics and all four papers.

2. Practise each skill separately

Each paper needs a slightly different approach.

• Listening: practise spotting key words and synonyms
• Reading: scan for meaning before translating
• Writing: plan answers and check verb tenses
• Speaking: practise out loud, not just in your head

Short, regular practice is far more effective than last-minute cramming.

3. Master core grammar

You don’t need every tense, but you do need the basics secured.

Focus on:

• Present, past, and future tenses
• Adjective agreement
• Key sentence structures

Examiners would rather see clear, correct sentences than ambitious grammar that isn’t accurate.

4. Use past papers and mark schemes

Past papers show you exactly what AQA rewards.

• Look at how answers are structured
• Compare your responses to the mark schemes
• Notice how marks are gained for detail and accuracy

This builds exam confidence and clarity.

5. Practise speaking under exam conditions

Speaking can feel intimidating, but preparation makes it manageable.

• Time your answers
• Practise role plays out loud
• Prepare flexible opinion phrases you can adapt

The more familiar the format feels, the calmer you’ll be on the day.

AQA GCSE Spanish rewards consistent vocabulary, accurate grammar, and confident exam technique. 

With the right preparation and regular practice, you’ll go into the exam knowing exactly what’s expected and how to show it.

Save this guide and come back to it as you revise. ¡Buena suerte! 💪🇪🇸