AQA GCSE English Language (8700)
Exam structure at a glance for AQA GCSE English Language: every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus tiers, practicals and the links you need.
- Board
- AQA
- Specification code
- 8700
- Tiers
- No tiers (one paper set for all)
- First teaching
- 2015
- First exams
- 2017
- Exam papers
- 2 · 3 h 30 min in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
The national curriculum content behind this GCSE: KS4 English programme of study.
Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing | 1 h 45 min | 80 | 50% | Section A reading (40 marks): one literary fiction extract, four questions worth 4, 8, 8 and 20 marks. Section B writing (40 marks): one descriptive or narrative piece (24 content + 16 technical accuracy). |
| Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives | 1 h 45 min | 80 | 50% | Section A reading (40 marks): two linked non-fiction sources, four questions worth 4, 8, 12 and 16 marks. Section B writing (40 marks): one piece giving a point of view on the theme (24 content + 16 technical accuracy). |
| Non-exam assessment: Spoken Language Endorsement | not stated | – | Reported separately | Teacher-set and teacher-marked presentation with questions; reported separately as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified, not part of the 9-1 grade. |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole GCSE. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- Non-exam assessment: Spoken Language endorsement (0% of grade, reported separately).
Key dates
Summer 2027 exam series
- Entries deadline: Sun, 21 February 2027
- First exam: Mon, 10 May 2027
- Last GCSE exam: Fri, 18 June 2027
- Contingency day: Wed, 23 June 2027
- GCSE results day: Thu, 19 August 2027 (from a provisional board timetable)
Sources: JCQ key dates June 2027 (final (JCQ key dates)); JCQ key dates and timetables; JCQ timetable commentary. Check each board's final timetable for paper dates. Last checked 2026-10-20.
Specification, past papers and grade boundaries
- AQA: Specification at a glance (board website)
- AQA: Past papers and mark schemes (board website)
- AQA: Grade boundaries (board website)
Facts checked against: aqa.org.uk, aqa.org.uk.
More packs
Exam facts (paper names, times, marks, weightings, tiers, codes) are taken from each exam board's own specification pages and summarised in our own words; no specification text, papers or mark schemes are reproduced. Exam details checked against the board's specification on 2026-10-20. Always check the current specification on the board's website.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Ofqual and DfE pages on GOV.UK). Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, Ofqual, JCQ, AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR or WJEC Eduqas.
Questions teachers ask
How long are the AQA GCSE English Language exams?
Paper 1: 1 h 45 min; Paper 2: 1 h 45 min.