Contents
Most A Level Law students take three papers. AQA (opens in a new tab) and OCR (opens in a new tab) have three equally weighted papers, including a choice of either a law of contract or human rights paper. WJEC Eduqas (opens in a new tab) has three compulsory components, while WJEC CBAC (opens in a new tab) has four compulsory units.
This article summarises each exam board’s papers: their topics, weighting and duration, and how to prepare for them.
Key Takeaways
AQA, OCR and WJEC Eduqas have three papers
WJEC CBAC has four compulsory units: two for AS and two for A Level
Prepare for your A Level Law exams by focusing on legal terminology and case law
A Level Law Assessment Structure Explained
AQA, OCR and WJEC Eduqas all offer linear qualifications for A Level Law. This means you’ll sit your three papers at the end of Year 13.
WJEC CBAC is unitised, with two AS and two A Level exams.
All specifications cover similar core areas, including the nature of law and the English legal system.
How Many Exam Papers Are There For A Level Law?
AQA, OCR and WJEC Eduqas all have three compulsory papers/components. AQA and OCR both offer a choice for your third component: either law of contract or human rights. WJEC CBAC has four compulsory units.
AQA
1) Paper 1: Criminal Law
2) Paper 2: Tort
3) Paper 3: Law of Contract OR Human Rights
OCR
1) Component 01: The Legal System and Criminal Law (compulsory)
2) Component 02: Law Making and the Law of Tort (compulsory)
3) Component 03: The Nature of Law and Human Rights (optional)
4) Component 04: The Nature of Law and the Law of Contract (optional)
WJEC Eduqas
1) Component 1: The Nature of Law and the English Legal System
2) Component 2: Substantive Law in Practice
3) Component 3: Perspectives of Substantive Law
WJEC CBAC
1) Unit 1: The Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems (AS Level)
2) Unit 2: The Law of Tort (AS Level)
3) Unit 3: The Practice of Substantive Law (A Level)
4) Unit 4: Substantive Law Perspectives (A Level)
Breakdown by Exam Board
AQA A Level Law
The table below provides an overview of each paper for the current specification (opens in a new tab):
Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | |
Topics* | Criminal law | Tort | Choose from one of the following: |
Weighting | 33% | 33% | 33% |
Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
*Note that all three papers also cover the nature of law and the English legal system.
OCR A Level Law
The table below provides an overview of each component for the current specification (opens in a new tab):
Component 01 | Component 02 | Component 03 | Component 04 | |
Topics | The legal system | Law making | The nature of law | The nature of law |
Weighting | 33.3% | 33.3% | 33.3% | 33.3% |
Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
WJEC Eduqas A Level Law
The table below provides an overview of each component for the current specification (opens in a new tab):
Component 1 | Component 2 | Component 3 | |
Topics | The nature of law in | Three of the following: | Three of the following: |
Weighting | 25% | 37.5% | 37.5% |
Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 hours 15 minutes | 2 hours 15 minutes |
WJEC CBAC A Level Law
The table below provides an overview of each unit for the current specification: (opens in a new tab)
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | |
Content | The nature of law in | The law of tort | Two of the following: | Two of the following: |
Weighting | 25% | 15% | 30% | 30% |
Duration | 1 hour 45 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes | 2 hours |
Tips for Preparing for A Level Law Papers
Use a variety of different revision methods
Here are some of the best methods to use for different areas of revision:
Flashcards for legal terminology, e.g. ‘appeal’, ‘breach of duty’ and ‘damages’
Mind maps for different concepts, e.g. theories of justice
Diagrams to illustrate legal systems, e.g. the UK court structure
Summarise case law
To offer answers to problems, you’ll need to refer to and analyse relevant case law
Create tables of case law summaries that include the facts, legal issue, decision and legal precedent established, e.g. for Donoghue v Stevenson
Read examiner reports
Find out what mistakes to avoid and what other students did well by reading what examiners have said
Here’s a sample examiner report from OCR (opens in a new tab)
Use Save My Exams
Read our ‘Is A Level Law Hard?’ article for tips to succeed in A Level Law
Complete past papers and assess how you did against the mark schemes
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all A Level Law papers compulsory?
No. AQA and OCR let you choose between law of contract and human rights for your third component.
All WJEC Eduqas and CBAC papers/units are compulsory.
Do the papers have equal weighting?
Some do, but not all. AQA and OCR have equal weighting, as each paper/component is worth 33.3%.
WJEC does not have equal weighting. WJEC Eduqas has two components worth 37.5% and one worth 25%. WJEC CBAC has two units worth 30%, one worth 25% and one worth 15%.
Can I resit individual A Level Law papers?
A Level resits require you to resit all papers for linear qualifications. You therefore can’t resit individual AQA, OCR or WJEC Eduqas papers.
WJEC CBAC does allow you to resit an individual unit. However, if you attempt any unit twice and want to try a third time, you’ll have to re-enter all units.
Check with your teacher for more information on resits.
References
AQA A Level Law (opens in a new tab)
OCR A Level Law (opens in a new tab)
WJEC Eduqas A Level Law (opens in a new tab)
WJEC CBAC A Level Law (opens in a new tab)
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