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AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers
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Navigator’s note
Selecting Information from the Wrong Lines (Question 1 Paper 1)
Circle the required lines on the source text before reading.
All 5 examiner tipsOther destinations
AQA GCSE English Language papers by session
June 2025
2 papersLatest seriesExaminer InsightsAQA GCSE English Language
Examiner tips.
Practical advice to help you avoid common mistakes and write stronger answers.
01Common mistake
Selecting Information from the Wrong Lines
Students frequently lose marks by choosing details from outside the specific line range mentioned in the question. They may also use the introductory context (e.g., "This extract is from the middle of a novel...") as a source for their answers.
“This extract is from the middle of a novel”
How to improve
Circle the required lines on the source text before reading.
Use the stem of the question (e.g., "Rita was..." or "The book was...") to keep your statements focused and avoid irrelevant information
Where it counts: Question 1 Paper 1
1 / 5
02Common mistake
Using Long, Unfocused Quotations
Many students select whole sentences or long phrases, which often leads to writing about the "content" rather than performing language analysis.
How to improve
Aim for "a lot about a little".
Select short, precise quotations or even single words to ensure your analysis is directed specifically at how the writer shaped meaning
Where it counts: Question 2 Paper 1
2 / 5
03Common mistake
Staying Too Close to the Image Prompt
For the descriptive option, many students simply list every item they see in the picture, which limits their imaginative development.
How to improve
Use the image only as a "jumping-off point" or "prompt".
Bring in your own imagined details, such as smaller "hidden" features or a change in atmosphere.
Where it counts: Question 5 Paper 1
3 / 5
04Common mistake
Failing to Compare "Like-for-Like" in Question 4 (AO3) Paper 2
A major error is mismatched comparisons, where students compare one aspect of Source A (e.g., the writer's fear) with a completely different aspect of Source B (e.g., the physical environment).
How to improve
Start paragraphs with an overarching comparison that covers both texts (e.g., "Both writers are amazed by the passing of time") before drilling down into specific details from each.
Check the command word before you write.
4 / 5
05Common mistake
"Feature Spotting" Without Explaining Effects
In Question 3, students frequently name a linguistic device (like a metaphor or simile) but offer only generalised comments on its effect, such as "it makes the reader interested" or "it shows what it’s like".
“it makes the reader interested”
How to improve
Focus on the connotations of specific words.
Ask yourself why the writer chose that exact word instead of a synonym (e.g., why "glint" instead of "gleam"?) and explain how that specific choice creates a particular image.
Where it counts: AO2
5 / 5
Frequently asked questions
Are there any changes to AQA GCSE English Language (8700) for the 2027 exam?
No structural changes — the 2027 cohort sits the exact same specification and exam format as Summer 2026. The key updates from 2026 (which carry forward to 2027) are: Paper 1, Question 1 is now multiple-choice (4 marks) instead of an open-ended list; Question 3 (8 marks) now targets a single specific structural effect rather than broad analysis; Question 5 (40 marks) now asks for a story opening rather than a full story. Warning: Past papers from 2025 and earlier are partially out of date for Paper 1 — use AQA's 2026 specimen materials for accurate practice.
Why do past papers from 2025 look different from my mocks?
AQA updated the exam format starting in 2026. Older past papers (2025 and earlier) contain an old version of Paper 1 where Question 1 asks you to "list four things" (instead of multiple choice) and Question 3 is much broader. Use older papers for general reading practice, but we’d highly recommend you stick to 2026 specimen papers for exact question formats.
How do you tell the difference between AQA GCSE English Language (8700) and English Literature (8702)?
Check the Specification Code on your revision guide, past paper, or exam entry form: 8700 = English Language; 8702 = English Literature. English Language (8700) uses unseen text extracts you've never seen before, focuses on modern non-fiction (blogs, articles, opinion pieces), and asks you to write creative stories, descriptions, or speeches. English Literature (8702) requires studying specific famous books and plays in class (Shakespeare, 19th-century novels, modern dramas), memorizing quotes, and analyzing an official poetry anthology.
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