AQA AS German specification (7661)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA AS German 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 AS German 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 AS German (7661) 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
The AQA AS Level in German builds on GCSE knowledge to develop students’ language skills alongside their understanding of German-speaking societies. Students explore social change, youth culture, the digital world and the artistic heritage of German-speaking countries. The course fosters communication, critical thinking and cultural awareness through study of authentic sources, including literature or film. It also supports spontaneous language use and promotes fluency, accuracy and independence in both spoken and written German:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
3.1 Social issues and trends
- Aspects of German-speaking society:
- The changing state of the family: family relationships, partnerships and different family forms
- The digital world: internet usage, social media and the digitisation of society
- Youth culture: fashion and trends, music, television
3.2 Artistic culture
- Artistic culture in the German-speaking world:
- Festivals and traditions: origins, significance and regional diversity
- Art and architecture: key figures, daily impact, historical and future perspectives
- Cultural life in Berlin: history, arts and population diversity
3.3 Grammar
- Full range of grammatical structures, including:
- Nouns, determiners, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, particles
- Verbs in all tenses, including passive and subjunctive
- Complex sentence structures, conjunctions, clause types
- Word order and case system
3.4 Works: Literary texts and films (choose one)
- Texts (e.g.):
- Böll: Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
- Dürrenmatt: Der Besuch der alten Dame
- Kafka: Die Verwandlung
- Schlink: Der Vorleser
- Films (e.g.):
- Good Bye, Lenin! (Becker)
- Das Leben der Anderen (Henckel von Donnersmarck)
- Lola rennt (Tykwer):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing
- 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks
- 45% of AS Level
- Listening: authentic passages, individual control, questions in German
- Reading: varied texts with responses in German
- Translation into English (min. 70 words)
- No dictionary allowed
Paper 2: Writing
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks
- 25% of AS Level
- Translation into German (min. 70 words)
- One essay in German on studied text or film (~250 words)
- No access to dictionary or works during the exam
Paper 3: Speaking
- 12–14 minutes (+15 minutes preparation), 60 marks
- 30% of AS Level
- Two discussions based on stimulus cards from different sub-themes
- Student-led questions required
- No access to dictionary or notes except during preparation:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA AS German 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