AQA GCSE English Language (8700): complete guide to the papers, the skills and the assessment objectives

AQA GCSE English Language (specification 8700) is a two-year linear course assessed by two written papers at the end of Year 11, with a separately reported Spoken Language endorsement. There is no coursework grade for the qualification itself. Every text in the exam is unseen, so the real subject is transferable reading and writing skill, not memorised content. This page is the index: below is a map of the two papers, the skill strands, the assessment objectives, and how to study each part.

The two exam papers

The specification is built around two equally weighted papers, each pairing a reading section with a writing section.

Paper 1, Explorations in creative reading and writing. One unseen literature fiction extract drives Section A reading; Section B asks for a piece of creative or descriptive writing, often prompted by an image. The paper is worth 50% of the GCSE.

Paper 2, Writers' viewpoints and perspectives. Two unseen non-fiction texts from different time periods drive Section A reading, including a synthesis question and a comparison question; Section B asks you to write to present a viewpoint to a stated audience. This paper is also worth 50%.

The skill strands

Because the texts are unseen, this site groups the course into transferable skill strands rather than set content.

• Paper 1 skills - identifying explicit and implicit information, analysing language for effect, analysing structure, evaluating texts critically, and descriptive and narrative writing.
• Paper 2 skills - finding and synthesising information across texts, comparing perspectives and attitudes, analysing non-fiction language, and writing to present a viewpoint.
• Core reading skills - inference and deduction, language techniques and terminology, tone, mood and register, and structural features.
• Core writing skills - planning and organising writing, sentence variety and punctuation, vocabulary and spelling, and crafting openings and endings.
• Spoken language - presentation skills, responding to questions, and using Standard English and register.

The assessment objectives

Every mark is awarded against the assessment objectives, so mastering them as skills matters more than any single text.

• AO1 - identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas, and select and synthesise evidence from different texts.
• AO2 - explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects, using subject terminology.
• AO3 - compare writers' ideas and perspectives, and how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
• AO4 - evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
• AO5 - communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, organising information using structural and grammatical features.
• AO6 - use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

Reading uses AO1 to AO4; writing uses AO5 and AO6, where AO6 alone is a fixed 16 of 40 writing marks per paper. Spoken Language is assessed separately on AO7 to AO9.

Exam structure

English Language is assessed by two equally weighted written papers, both sat at the end of the course, plus the endorsement.

• Paper 1, Explorations in creative reading and writing - 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50%. Section A is reading on one fiction extract (AO1, AO2 and AO4); Section B is creative or descriptive writing (AO5 and AO6).
• Paper 2, Writers' viewpoints and perspectives - 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50%. Section A is reading on two non-fiction texts (AO1, AO2 and AO3); Section B is writing to present a viewpoint (AO5 and AO6).
• Spoken Language endorsement - assessed by your teacher and reported separately as Pass, Merit or Distinction (AO7, AO8 and AO9). It does not count towards the 9 to 1 grade.

How to study English Language

This subject rewards transferable skill over memorised content, because the texts are unseen.

1. Build the reading skills in order. Move from locating information (AO1) to analysing method and effect (AO2), to comparing perspectives (AO3), to critical evaluation (AO4).
2. Always link method to effect. Naming a technique earns little; explaining its effect on the reader and on meaning is what AO2 rewards.
3. Plan and craft your writing. Plan before you write, vary sentences and punctuation, reach for ambitious vocabulary, and craft openings and endings, because AO5 and AO6 reward control.
4. Protect your accuracy marks. AO6 is a fixed 16 marks per paper, so leave time to check spelling, punctuation and sentence accuracy.
5. Practise to time and prepare your talk. Drill past papers under timed conditions, and prepare your Spoken Language presentation early so it is polished.

The skill strands, dot point by dot point

Each strand has skill-level answer pages with practice questions and cross-links, plus a deep-dive overview guide. Browse the full set at /gcse-aqa/english-language/syllabus.

For the official specification

AQA publishes the full specification (8700), past papers, mark schemes and the insert texts at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own past papers, because question wording and mark schemes are board-specific.