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AQA GCSE English Language · 8700/1
1 hour 45 minutes · 80 marks · 50% of the GCSE
Paper 1 tests your ability to read and understand a literary fiction text (a novel or short story extract, published after 1900) and to write creatively (descriptive or narrative writing). The paper is split into two sections:
4 questions on one unseen fiction extract · 40 marks · recommended 1 hour
1 question: descriptive or narrative writing · 40 marks · recommended 45 minutes
With 1 hour 45 minutes for 80 marks, a useful rule is roughly 1 minute per mark plus some reading and planning time. Here is a breakdown that top students use:
| Task | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Read the extract carefully | - | 10-15 mins |
| Question 1 (list 4 things) | 4 | 5 mins |
| Question 2 (language analysis) | 8 | 8-10 mins |
| Question 3 (structure) | 8 | 8-10 mins |
| Question 4 (evaluation) | 20 | 20-25 mins |
| Question 5 (creative writing) | 40 | 45 mins |
Many students run out of time on Question 5 because they spend too long on Question 4. Stick to the timings above and move on even if you feel you could write more on a reading question.
Build your reading analysis and writing skills with these related resources.
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