Assessment

In this lesson, we will explore how each paper is structured and how your answers are marked using Assessment Objectives. Understanding this will help you prepare more effectively and write stronger responses. Students who get strong marks historically have a thorough understanding of the AOs and requirements for each question off by heart, so this lesson is key.

Assessment Structure

In AQA English Language, you will sit two written papers and one speaking exam (the speaking exam will not affect your GCSE grade). These two papers make up your whole GCSE grade for English Language:

• Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
• Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

You will be assessed on your retrieval skills; language and structure analysis capabilities; your ability to give critical opinions and evaluate how successful a goal is achieved; your ability to compare ideas; your descriptive and persuasive writing as well as how well you can use a vast array of vocabulary and punctuation accurately and appropriately. 

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

In Paper 1 Section A, you will be given one extract. With this extract you must answer four questions about that extract. You will have to retrieve answers from the extract, analyse the language and structure of the extract and lastly evaluate an opinion about the extract. 

In Paper 1 Section B, you will answer one creative writing or descriptive writing question. This is where you must tap into your imagination. Use linguistic devices and techniques to engage the reader and enhance your writing!

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

In Paper 2 Section A, you will be given two sources (via extracts). You will have to answer four questions about these extracts, retrieving answers, comparing the ideas between them and how they are presented. You do this by analysing the language and structure of the texts and comparing the fruits of the analysis: meaning. 

In Paper 2 Section B, you will answer one question. It will ask you to write a speech, letter, leaflet or newspaper article. You must use persuasive devices to convince the reader (examiner) to do whatever you are persuading them to do in your extensive writing task. It is your ability to use persuasive devices and writing techniques that is truly assessed here. So make sure to write appropriately, intelligently and most of all, persuasively!

Spoken Language

AQA Spoken Language is a separate qualification to your English Language qualification. It is known as a ‘non-exam’ assessment, meaning the assessment is usually done in your own school and assessed by your teacher through the guidance of AQA guidelines. This assessment is a time for you to speak confidently on a subject of your own choosing for a maximum duration of ten minutes and you must present it and answer questions that may come from the teacher or classmates. However, your teacher will give you more information about what is expected of you and the specifics of this assessment as this standard will be different from school to school. 

Some advice nonetheless, is that it is important for you to be able to speak on something you are comfortable speaking about, as you have to come off confident and well-versed in your presentation. The grades available are Not Classified, Pass, Merit and Distinction. This grade will not affect your grades on the written papers. 

As with every English Paper, there are also Assessment Objectives for Spoken Language. These are:

• AO7 — Presenting Information and Ideas
• AO8 — Responding to Spoken Language
• AO9 — Spoken Standard English

You will have to be asked questions by a teacher who will ask you about something to do with your presentation. These will be on-the-spot and not prepared beforehand, so again, be prepared for your topic and be able to think on the spot. A teacher will ask questions to hopefully allow you to elaborate more on notions you are already aware of. Try to be consistent in your fluency, plan and present well, and respond with confidence. This will lead you to do as best as you can. 

Assessment Objectives

Assessment Objectives (AOs) are the criteria that examiners use to mark your work. In AQA English Language, there are four AOs for Reading and two AOs for Writing. You will be marked on how well you meet these in your answers across both papers.

In simple terms:

• AO1: Find a fact in the text and explain it.
• AO2: Explain how a metaphor influences the reader.
• AO3: Compare how two writers describe a storm.
• AO4: Give your opinion on how well the writer presents a character.
• AO5: Plan and structure your writing well. Make your ideas engaging and clear.
• AO6: Use full stops, commas, and spell words correctly.
• AO7: Presenting Information and Ideas (Spoken)
• AO8: Responding to Spoken Language (Spoken)
• AO9: Spoken Standard English (Spoken)