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30 Nov 2025

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AQA GCSE Language and Literature Exam Preparation Guide

H

harvey emmence @harveyemmence

Your GCSE English exams might seem overwhelming, but they're actually quite straightforward once you know what to expect.... Show more

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
PAPER 1 SHAKESPEARE AND THE 19TH CENTURY NOVEL 64 MARKS (40%)
1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 15 minutes reading time; 45 minutes

English Literature Papers Overview

Paper 1 focuses on classic texts - you'll tackle Shakespeare and a 19th-century novel in 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 2 covers modern texts and poetry in 2 hours 15 minutes, giving you time to really develop your ideas.

Here's what makes Literature exams manageable you'll always get extract-based questions that provide text on the page, plus you'll write about the whole work. For Shakespeare and novels, you'll choose from two questions per text, so you can play to your strengths.

The poetry section asks you to compare poems - one will be printed for you, and you'll choose another from your studied cluster. This means you're in control of which poem you know best to use for comparison.

Quick Tip You won't have your books in the exam, but the extracts provided will trigger your memory of key themes and characters.

Remember, you're being assessed on different skills (AO1, AO2, AO3) which basically mean knowing the text, analysing techniques, and understanding context. Your teachers will explain these properly, but don't get hung up on the labels.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
PAPER 1 SHAKESPEARE AND THE 19TH CENTURY NOVEL 64 MARKS (40%)
1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 15 minutes reading time; 45 minutes

English Language Papers Breakdown

Paper 1 is all about creative skills - you'll read a modern fiction extract, answer comprehension questions, then write your own creative piece. Paper 2 focuses on non-fiction texts from different time periods and asks you to write persuasively.

Both papers follow the same format every time. You'll start with quick comprehension questions worth 4-8 marks, then move to language analysis and structure questions. The big writing task at the end is worth 40 marks, so spend most of your time there.

The question stems never change, which is brilliant for revision. You'll always see "How does the writer use language..." and "To what extent do you agree..." This predictability means you can practice the exact question types you'll face.

Time Management Spend 15 minutes reading, then roughly 10 minutes per question based on the marks available.

For the writing tasks, you'll get a choice in Paper 1 (narrative or descriptive) but Paper 2 gives you one persuasive writing task. Both papers give you bullet points to guide your thinking, except for the comparison questions where you need to find your own focus.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

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Xander S

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Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

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Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

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Greenlight Bonnie

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Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

English Language

367

30 Nov 2025

2 pages

AQA GCSE Language and Literature Exam Preparation Guide

H

harvey emmence

@harveyemmence

Your GCSE English exams might seem overwhelming, but they're actually quite straightforward once you know what to expect. You'll sit two English Literature papers and two English Language papers, each testing different skills from creative writing to text analysis.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
PAPER 1 SHAKESPEARE AND THE 19TH CENTURY NOVEL 64 MARKS (40%)
1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 15 minutes reading time; 45 minutes

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

English Literature Papers Overview

Paper 1 focuses on classic texts - you'll tackle Shakespeare and a 19th-century novel in 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 2 covers modern texts and poetry in 2 hours 15 minutes, giving you time to really develop your ideas.

Here's what makes Literature exams manageable: you'll always get extract-based questions that provide text on the page, plus you'll write about the whole work. For Shakespeare and novels, you'll choose from two questions per text, so you can play to your strengths.

The poetry section asks you to compare poems - one will be printed for you, and you'll choose another from your studied cluster. This means you're in control of which poem you know best to use for comparison.

Quick Tip: You won't have your books in the exam, but the extracts provided will trigger your memory of key themes and characters.

Remember, you're being assessed on different skills (AO1, AO2, AO3) which basically mean: knowing the text, analysing techniques, and understanding context. Your teachers will explain these properly, but don't get hung up on the labels.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
PAPER 1 SHAKESPEARE AND THE 19TH CENTURY NOVEL 64 MARKS (40%)
1 HOUR 45 MINUTES 15 minutes reading time; 45 minutes

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

English Language Papers Breakdown

Paper 1 is all about creative skills - you'll read a modern fiction extract, answer comprehension questions, then write your own creative piece. Paper 2 focuses on non-fiction texts from different time periods and asks you to write persuasively.

Both papers follow the same format every time. You'll start with quick comprehension questions worth 4-8 marks, then move to language analysis and structure questions. The big writing task at the end is worth 40 marks, so spend most of your time there.

The question stems never change, which is brilliant for revision. You'll always see "How does the writer use language..." and "To what extent do you agree..." This predictability means you can practice the exact question types you'll face.

Time Management: Spend 15 minutes reading, then roughly 10 minutes per question based on the marks available.

For the writing tasks, you'll get a choice in Paper 1 (narrative or descriptive) but Paper 2 gives you one persuasive writing task. Both papers give you bullet points to guide your thinking, except for the comparison questions where you need to find your own focus.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

5

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Similar content

Creative Writing Prompts

Explore a comprehensive collection of past exam questions for English Language, focusing on creative writing. This resource includes prompts for both fiction and imaginative writing as well as non-fiction and transactional writing, designed to enhance your writing skills and prepare you for exams. Ideal for revision and practice.

English LanguageEnglish Language
11

Analyzing Conflict in The Pearl

Explore the intricate language and structure used by John Steinbeck in 'The Pearl' to depict the intense conflict between Kino and the scorpion. This study note provides a detailed analysis of key language features, character responses, and narrative techniques, essential for mastering AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1. Ideal for students preparing for their exams, this resource emphasizes critical reading and writing skills.

English LanguageEnglish Language
9

Engaging English Revision Activities

Explore 50 creative activities designed to enhance your English Language skills. This resource includes prompts for creative writing, character analysis, and critical reviews, perfect for GCSE preparation. Ideal for students looking to improve their writing techniques and understanding of literary devices.

English LanguageEnglish Language
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Explore the comprehensive assessment objectives and content structure for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language (9-1). This resource covers reading, writing, and spoken language skills essential for exam preparation, including key strategies for analysis and effective communication. Ideal for students preparing for mocks and final exams.

English LanguageEnglish Language
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user