⏱️ Exam technique & preparation
GCSE English Language & Literature exam guide.
On AQA, English Language is two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks each). English Literature is Paper 1 (1h45, 64 marks: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel) and Paper 2 (2h15, 96 marks: modern text and poetry). Both include marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Paper formats use AQA as the reference board — always check your own specification.
Timing strategy
The golden rule: time follows marks. Students lose the most marks by spending too long on early, low-mark questions and rushing the big ones.
| Paper (AQA) | Suggested split |
|---|---|
| Language Paper 1 | 15 min reading · Q1 5 min · Q2 10 min · Q3 10 min · Q4 20 min · Q5 45 min (5 to plan) |
| Language Paper 2 | 15 min reading · Q1 5 min · Q2 8 min · Q3 12 min · Q4 20 min · Q5 45 min (5 to plan) |
| Literature Paper 1 | Shakespeare 50 min · 19th-century novel 50 min · 5 min check |
| Literature Paper 2 | Modern text 45 min · Anthology comparison 45 min · Unseen poetry 45 min (about 30 + 15) |
- Many students do Language Q5 first, while they're fresh, because it's worth half the paper. Only do this if you've practised it.
- Never leave a question blank. A short, focused answer always beats nothing.
Showing working: evidence and planning
In English, your "working" is your evidence and your plan.
- Quote, then analyse. Use short, embedded quotations (a few words), then zoom in on a specific word or technique and explain its effect.
- Name the method, but always say why the writer used it. "The writer uses a metaphor" earns little on its own.
- Plan every essay for 5 minutes. A quick plan with three or four points and the quotes you'll use keeps the answer focused.
- Literature context: link it to the question and the text, rather than writing a history lesson.
- Answer the question as set. Repeat its key words in your opening and in each paragraph.
- Leave 3–5 minutes to proofread for spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
Calculator use
Not applicable — no calculator is used in English. Spend that preparation time memorising key quotations instead.
Revision checklist
Your ticks are saved on this device only.