AQA A Level English Literature A specification (7712)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level English Literature A exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level English Literature A specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level English Literature A (7712) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level English Literature A qualification from AQA encourages students to explore texts through a historicist lens, examining how literature reflects and shapes the time in which it was produced. Students analyse poetry, prose, and drama across time periods, with a focus on themes such as love, war, identity, and society. The course builds skills in critical interpretation, comparative analysis, and contextual understanding. Independent study fosters autonomy and personal literary exploration. Through both examined components and a substantial non-exam assessment, students engage with a rich and challenging body of literature, preparing for further study and careers in the arts and humanities:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.*Subject content breakdown
4.1 Love through the ages
- Study of three texts: one Shakespeare play, one poetry text, one prose text (one must be pre-1900)
- Shakespeare options: Othello, Measure for Measure, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew
- Poetry: AQA Anthology (pre-1900 or post-1900)
- Prose options include: Jane Eyre, The Great Gatsby, Persuasion, Atonement, etc.
- Unseen poetry response also required
- Themes include romantic love, jealousy, deception, social norms, marriage, and taboo
4.2 Texts in shared contexts
- Choose one option:
- Option A: WW1 and its aftermath
- Option B: Modern times: literature from 1945 to present
- Study of three texts (drama, poetry, prose), including one post-2000
- Areas explored: gender, identity, war, politics, race, nationalism, social change
- Set texts include Regeneration, Birdsong, The Handmaid’s Tale, A Streetcar Named Desire, Skirrid Hill, etc.
- Includes analysis of an unseen prose extract and a comparative essay
4.3 Independent critical study: texts across time
- One comparative essay (2500 words) on two texts, one pre-1900
- Student-chosen theme (e.g. race, gender, class, gothic, dystopia)
- At least one text must be studied independently
- Equal focus on both texts; may include prose, drama or poetry
- Excluded texts: any used in exam components
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Love through the ages
- Written exam: 3 hours
- 75 marks; 40% of A Level
- Section A: Shakespeare – passage and essay
- Section B: Unseen poetry comparison
- Section C: Comparative essay on two set texts
- Open book in Section C only
Paper 2: Texts in shared contexts
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 75 marks; 40% of A Level
- Section A: Essay on a set text
- Section B: Unseen extract analysis and linked essay on two texts
- Open book
Non-exam assessment: Texts across time
- One extended comparative essay (2500 words) plus bibliography
- 50 marks; 20% of A Level
- Must compare two texts, one pre-1900
- Assessed by teachers, moderated by AQA
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level English Literature A isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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