AQA GCSE English Language: specification & assessment
AQA GCSE English Language (8700) is assessed by 2 exam papers. Here's the exam structure, the assessment objectives and what you study — straight from AQA's specification.
Reform watch:England's 2025 Curriculum & Assessment Review doesn't change GCSE or A-level content until reformed specs are first taught (national curriculum September 2028; updated GCSEs from 2029). Your 2026–2028 exams use the current specification. What's changing →
Exam papers
| Paper | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and WritingSection A Reading: one literature fiction text (20th or 21st century prose fiction). Section B Writing: descriptive or narrative writing. | 1 hour 45 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and PerspectivesSection A Reading: one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text (one 19th century, one from 20th or 21st century). Section B Writing: writing to present a viewpoint. | 1 hour 45 minutes | 80 | 50% |
Plus a non-exam component: Spoken Language (endorsement) — reported separately and not counted in the 2 written papers above.
Assessment objectives
Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual for English Language and describe the skills the exams reward. The weightings are for the whole GCSE.
| AO | What it assesses | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise evidence from different texts. | 10% overall (approx): Paper 1 2.5%, Paper 2 7.5% |
| AO2 | Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views. | 17.5% overall (approx): Paper 1 10%, Paper 2 7.5% |
| AO3 | Compare writers' ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts. | 10% overall (approx): Paper 2 only (10%) |
| AO4 | Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references. | 12.5% overall (approx): Paper 1 only (12.5%) |
| AO5 | Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts. | 30% overall (approx): Paper 1 15%, Paper 2 15% |
| AO6 | Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole.) | 20% overall (approx): Paper 1 10%, Paper 2 10% |
| AO7 | Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting. | 0% (Spoken Language endorsement only) |
| AO8 | Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and feedback on presentations. | 0% (Spoken Language endorsement only) |
| AO9 | Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations. | 0% (Spoken Language endorsement only) |
Practical work
What you study
The main topics in the 8700 specification:
- Explorations in creative reading and writing
- Writers' viewpoints and perspectives
- Non-exam assessment (Spoken Language)
Your grades in English Language
See the real AQA English Language grade boundaries (2024 & 2025, with a "what grade is my mark" tool), and how GCSE grades work.
Where this comes from
- www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8700/specification/scheme-of-assessment
- www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8700/specification/specification-at-a-glance
- filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-8700-SP-2015.PDF
Frequently asked questions
See all AQA GCSE subjects.