Qualification and assessment structure Revision Notes

AQA A-Level English Literature B Structure

Overview

The AQA A-Level English Literature B specification is designed to assess students' understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literary texts. The assessment is divided into two main papers and a non-examined assessment (NEA).

Paper 1: Literary Genres

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Marks: 75
• Weighting: 40% of the A-Level
• Content: This paper includes a passage-based question on a Shakespeare text, an essay on another drama text, and a linked-text essay. One of the drama texts must be written pre-1900.
• Choices: Students can choose between the Aspects of Tragedy or Aspects of Comedy.

Paper 2: Texts and Genres

• Duration: 3 hours
• Marks: 75
• Weighting: 40% of the A-Level
• Content: This paper consists of an unseen passage question, a single set-text essay, and a connected-text essay. It requires one post-2000 prose text, one poetry text, and one further text, with one text written pre-1900.
• Choices: Students can choose between Elements of Crime Writing or Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing.

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA)

• Essays: Two essays of 1250 to 1500 words each, focusing on different literary texts and aspects of the AQA Critical Anthology.
• Content: One response may be re-creative, accompanied by a commentary.
• Weighting: Worth 50 marks and 20% of the A-Level.