AQA A Level English Literature B specification (7717)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level English Literature B 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.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level English Literature B 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 B (7717) 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 B qualification from AQA takes a genre-based approach to the study of literature, encouraging students to explore texts through the lenses of tragedy, comedy, crime, and political/social protest. It fosters independent thinking and close reading, enhanced by critical theory via the non-exam assessment. The course supports the development of analytical and comparative skills, encourages personal interpretation, and enables creative engagement with texts. Designed with flexibility and coherence, it prepares students for further study while offering a rich and broad literary education:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
4.1 Literary genres
- Study of three texts: one Shakespeare play, one other drama, and one further text (at least one must be pre-1900)
- Choose one option:
- Aspects of Tragedy: tragic hero, downfall, fate, villainy, order to disorder, pity and fear
- Aspects of Comedy: humour, disguise, love, misrule/order, happy ending, ridicule of society
4.2 Texts and genres
- Study of three texts: one post-2000 prose, one poetry, one other (at least one must be pre-1900)
- Unseen extract also assessed
- Choose one option:
- Elements of Crime Writing: transgression, investigation, violence, justice, moral ambiguity
- Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing: power/powerlessness, rebellion, corruption, class, gender, social institutions
4.3 Theory and independence
- Two essays (1250–1500 words each) on two texts (one prose, one poetry)
- Each essay linked to a different critical theory from the AQA Critical Anthology (e.g. feminist, Marxist, post-colonial)
- One response may be re-creative with a commentary
- Texts must not be from the A Level set text lists:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Literary genres
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 75 marks; 40% of A Level
- Closed book
- Section A: passage-based question on Shakespeare
- Section B: essay on Shakespeare
- Section C: comparative essay on two other texts
Paper 2: Texts and genres
- Written exam: 3 hours
- 75 marks; 40% of A Level
- Open book
- Section A: unseen extract
- Section B: essay on set text
- Section C: comparative essay on two texts
Non-exam assessment: Theory and independence
- 50 marks; 20% of A Level
- Two essays (1250–1500 words each), on different texts and linked to different critical theories
- One may be re-creative with a 500-word commentary
- Internally assessed, externally moderated:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level English Literature B 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.
Share this article