Paper 2 Overview (AQA GCSE English Language) : Revision Note
GCSE English Language Paper 2 Overview
The best way to revise Paper 2 of the AQA GCSE English Language exam is:
To know what the examiner is expecting to see in your answers
Mastering the underpinning skills required to achieve the best possible outcome in each question
Paper 2 overview | |
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Timings | |
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How long should I spend on each question in Paper 2?
Below are suggested timings for the questions in Paper 2. The reading question timings include reading time:
Question | Marks | Suggested timing | What skill is this testing? | Links to question-specific revision notes |
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1 | 4 | 10 minutes | AO1: comprehension | |
2 | 8 | 15 minutes | AO1: synthesis and interpretation | |
3 | 12 | 15 minutes | AO2: language analysis | |
4 | 16 | 20 minutes | AO3: comparison of writers’ ideas and perspectives | |
5 | 40 | 45 minutes (including 10 minutes to plan and 5 minutes to proofread) | AO5: your ability to write an effective piece of non-fiction and AO6: your use and control of spelling, punctuation and grammar |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
As for Paper 1, AQA advises that you should spend 15 minutes reading through the source documents and the Section A questions before you start to write. However, with two long texts included in your insert document, it pays to have a more strategic approach:
Start by quickly skim-reading the source material to grasp the main ideas
Carefully read each question to understand what it is asking
Focus on reading only the specific sections of the text relevant to each question
By approaching the text in this targeted manner, you can avoid spending unnecessary time on parts that aren't needed for answering the questions.
Should I complete the reading section before the writing section?
It doesn’t matter whether you complete Section A or Section B first, although the topic of the source documents in Section A will, in some way, link to your writing prompt in Section B.
The paper has also been designed purposefully to guide students through the two set texts. This means it can help to answer all of the reading questions in order because each one should build on the last.
What am I tested on in Paper 2?
There are five assessment objectives for this paper. These are the skills which you will be assessed on:
Section A | ||
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AO1 | Understanding and interpreting information (12 marks) |
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AO2 | Analysing language (12 marks) |
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AO3 | Comparing texts (16 marks) |
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Section B | ||
AO5 | Content and organisation (24 marks) |
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AO6 | Technical accuracy (16 marks) |
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Expert tips from examiners
Section A:
Carefully read each question and identify the relevant source or text section
For Question 1, read all eight statements before selecting any as true:
Make sure you know how to identify your answers in the answer booklet
To score well on Question 2, make sure you have understood the texts before writing down your answer:
Then add relevant details that directly answer the question
Ensure your details come from both texts
In Question 3, focus on the effects of language use, rather than guessing at a reader’s possible feelings
Keep your Question 4 answer concise, comparing directly and consistently between both texts
Avoid simply listing language features — always explain their effect and the writer’s intention
Section B:
Plan your response to keep it clear and cohesive
Establish your viewpoint from the start and develop it consistently throughout
Avoid unnecessary layout features (e.g. columns in an article) that don’t enhance your argument
Use varied sentence structures and accurate punctuation to achieve higher marks
Clearly identify the purpose, audience and format before writing
Learn more
For more great tips and tricks, check out the following articles created by our subject experts:
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