This page is intended to give to outline of various courses. It is not intended to offer advice about how to approach the course, although it will be a good guide. Timings given for examinations are suggested.


Course details available:

AQA GCSE English Language

AQA GCSE English Literature



AQA GCSE English Language top

This GCSE is assessed through two elements:

  • Coursework (40%)
  • Examination
    • Paper One (30%)
    • Paper Two (30%)

Coursework

Your folder should contain four written responses and three speaking and listening assessments.

  • Written responses (20% of total mark):
    1. Shakespeare *
    2. Prose Study (usually based on pre-1914 prose fiction) *
    3. Media
    4. Original writing

  • Speaking and Listening categories (20% of total mark):
    1. explaining, describing, narrating
    2. exploring, analysing, imagining
    3. discussing, arguing, persuading

* These pieces can be used as 'crossover' pieces when studying for GCSE English Literature (see below).

Examination

The two examination papers are structured in the following way:

  • Paper One:
    • Section A - reading and understanding (comprehension-style questions - 1 hour).
    • Section B - writing to argue, persuade or advise. (45 mins)

  • Paper Two:
    • Section A - Poetry - 'Different Cultures' (45 mins)
      • An essay question on either Cluster 1 or Cluster 2 of the Anthology poetry section 'Different Cultures'.
    • Section B - writing to describe, explain or inform. (45 mins)

AQA GCSE English Literature top

This GCSE is assessed through two elements:

  • Coursework (30%)
  • Examination
    • One examination paper (70%)

Coursework

Your folder should contain three written responses.

  • Written responses (100% of total coursework mark):
    1. Pre-1914 Drama * (Shakespeare piece from English Language submission can be used - see above)
    2. Pre-1914 Prose * (Prose Study piece from English Language submission can be used - see above)
    3. post-1914 Drama
  • Note: approximately 2% of the total coursework mark is awarded for the 'Quality of Written Communication. (QWC has replaced the term SPG - 'Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar')

Examination

The one examination paper is structured in the following way:

  • Section A - Post-1914 Prose (45 mins)
  • Section B - Pre-1914 and Post-1914 Poetry (1 hour). If you're using the AQA Anthology for this you will choose one pair from:
    • Seamus Heaney and Gillian Clarke
    • Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy
    In addition you will need to have studied some of the bank of pre-1914 poems in the Anthology.