AQA GCSE & IGCSE English Literature
8702
Specification 8702. "Paper" and "Mark scheme" open the exam board's official PDF directly — we don't host any files.
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) is assessed by two closed-book written papers; any extracts or poems needed are printed in the paper. Paper 1, Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel, lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, is worth 64 marks and 40% of the GCSE. Paper 2, Modern texts and poetry, lasts 2 hours 15 minutes, is worth 96 marks and 60%: one essay on a modern prose or drama text, one comparison from the AQA poetry anthology, and two questions on unseen poems. In November 2021 and June 2022, adapted components (1M, 1N, 1P and Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry) were sat instead.
| Paper | What it covers | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8702/1 Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel | Section A: one question on a chosen Shakespeare play, writing about an extract and then the play as a whole. Section B: one question on a chosen 19th-century novel, writing about an extract and then the novel as a whole. Closed book. | 1h 45m | 64 | 40% |
| 8702/2 Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry | Section A: one essay on a studied modern prose or drama text (choice of two questions). Section B: one comparative question on a named anthology poem and another poem from the chosen cluster. Section C: one question on an unseen poem and one comparing it with a second unseen poem. Closed book. | 2h 15m | 96 | 60% |
| 8702/1M Paper 1M: Modern prose/drama | Adapted component sat in November 2021 and June 2022 in place of the standard papers: answer one question on a studied modern prose or drama text. | 50m | 30 | |
| 8702/1N Paper 1N: 19th-century novel | Adapted component sat in November 2021 and June 2022 in place of the standard papers: answer one question on a studied 19th-century novel. | 50m | 30 | |
| 8702/1P Paper 1P: Poetry anthology | Adapted component sat in November 2021 and June 2022 in place of the standard papers: answer one question on the AQA poetry anthology cluster studied (Love and relationships, or Power and conflict). | 50m | 30 | |
| 8702/2 Paper 2: Shakespeare and unseen poetry | Adapted Paper 2 sat in November 2021 and June 2022: Section A, one question on a Shakespeare play (30 marks + 4 for AO4); Section B, two unseen poetry questions (24 marks + 4 for AO4, and 8 marks). | 1h 45m | 70 |
June 20252 papers
8702/1Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel)
8702/2Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry)
June 20242 papers
8702/1Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel)
8702/2Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry)
June 20232 papers
8702/1Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel)
8702/2Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry)
June 20224 papers
8702/1MPaper 1M (Modern prose/drama)
8702/1NPaper 1N (19th-century novel)
8702/1PPaper 1P (Poetry anthology)
8702/2Paper 2 (Shakespeare and unseen poetry)
November 20214 papers
8702/1MPaper 1M (Modern prose/drama)
8702/1NPaper 1N (19th-century novel)
8702/1PPaper 1P (Poetry anthology)
8702/2Paper 2 (Shakespeare and unseen poetry)
November 20202 papers
8702/1Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel)
8702/2Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry)
Specimen papers2 papers
8702/1Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel)
8702/2Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry)
Every link above points to a PDF published by AQA. The most recent series is usually teacher-only until the board releases it publicly. Broken link? Tell us.
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