AQA English Language/Literature A Guide to the new GCSE
The AQA new GCSE English Language qualification is an untiered qualification. The assessment consists of two externally examined papers, plus a separate endorsement of Spoken Language which is internally assessed. It is a linear qualification so all examination papers must be taken at the end of the course.
GCSE English Language The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine grade scale from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade.
AQA GCSE English Language Subject Content To gain a GCSE English Language qualification students must provide assessments in the following 3 areas 1. Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing. 2. Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. 3. Non-exam assessment Spoken Language.
Let s look in more detail at the first area of assessment: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing This is assessed in Paper 1 of the GCSE English Language exam. Let s take a closer look at the exam.
How is Paper One assessed? Section A: Reading one literature fiction text Section B: Writing descriptive and narrative writing Assessment Breakdown A written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks available Worth 50% of the GCSE In Section A you will be given an extract from a novel or short story. This extract will be from an unseen text (one you haven t previously studied). This is a test of your fiction reading skills. In Section B you will be asked to produce a piece of creative writing such as a description or a story opening. This is a test of your fiction writing skills. The exam will last 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is worth 80 marks and makes up 50% of the English Language GCSE.
Paper One Questions Reading (40 marks) (25%) one single text 1 short form question (4 marks) 2 longer form questions (8 marks) 1 extended question (20 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%) 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Now let s look at the second area of assessment : Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives This is assessed in Paper 2 of the GCSE English Language exam. Let s take a closer look at Paper 2.
How is Paper Two assessed? Section A: Reading one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text Section B: Writing writing to present a viewpoint Assessment Breakdown A written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks available Worth 50% of the GCSE In Section A you will be given two non-fiction texts. These extracts will be from an unseen text (one you haven t previously studied). This is a test of your non-fiction reading skills. In Section B you will be asked to produce a piece of non-fiction writing in which you present a point of view. This is a test of your nonfiction writing skills. Like Paper 1, the Paper 2 exam will last 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is also worth 80 marks and makes up the other 50% of the English Language GCSE.
Questions Reading (40 marks) (25%) two linked texts 1 short form question (4 marks) 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks) 1 extended question (16 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%) 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
The final area of assessment is: Non-exam assessment Spoken Language This is assessed by the teacher and takes place during the length of the course. Let s take a closer look.
How is Spoken Language assessed? Pupils will take part in speaking activities including: - presenting - responding to questions and feedback - use of Standard English Assessment Breakdown teacher set throughout course marked by teacher separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE) Spoken Language is assessed by your teacher during the course of the GCSE. This is a test of your English speaking skills. Tasks will include giving a presentation, responding to questions and using Standard English. You will be awarded a separate grade for Spoken Language. The mark you receive does not contribute to your GCSE English Language grade.
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AQA English Literature A Guide to 9-1 GCSE Literature
The AQA 9-1 GCSE English Literature qualification is an untiered qualification. The assessment consists of two externally examined papers. It is a linear qualification so all examination papers must be taken at the end of the course.
GCSE English Literature The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine grade scale from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade.
AQA GCSE English Literature Subject Content To gain a GCSE English Literature qualification students must provide assessments in the following areas 1. Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel. 2. Modern texts and poetry.
Let s look in more detail at the first area of assessment: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel This is assessed in Paper 1 of the GCSE English Literature exam. Let s take a closer look at the exam.
How is Paper One assessed? Section A: Shakespeare write about a studied play Section B: C19th Novel write about a studied novel Assessment Breakdown A written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 64 marks available Worth 40% of the GCSE In Section A you will answer one question on a Shakespeare play. You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. In Section B you will be asked to answer one question about a C19th novel. You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. The Paper One exam will last 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is worth 64 marks and makes up 40% of the English Literature GCSE.
Now let s look at the second area of assessment : Modern texts and poetry This is assessed in Paper 2 of the GCSE English Literature exam. Let s take a closer look at Paper 2.
How is Paper Two assessed? Section A: Modern texts Section B: The poetry anthology Section C: Unseen poetry Assessment Breakdown A written exam: 2 hours 15 minutes 96 marks available Worth 60% of the GCSE In Section A you will answer one essay question from a choice of two on your studied modern prose or drama text. In Section B you will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from your chosen anthology cluster. In Section C you will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. The Paper 2 exam will last 2 hours and 15 minutes. It is worth 96 marks and makes up the other 60% of the English Literature GCSE.