How many papers are in AQA A-Level English Literature A?

Two written papers and a non-exam assessment. Paper 1 (Love through the ages, 3h, 75 marks) is 40%. Paper 2 (Texts in shared contexts, 2h 30m, 75 marks) is 40%. The NEA (Independent critical study, 50 marks) is 20%.

What content does this spec cover?

Paper 1 is themed 'Love through the ages': one Shakespeare play, one poetry text and one prose text, of which the poetry or the prose text must be written pre-1900. The set poetry options include AQA's own anthology of love poetry through the ages as well as single-poet texts. Paper 2 is themed 'Texts in shared contexts' with two options (WW1 or Modern times), covering drama, prose and poetry. The NEA is a comparative study of two texts by different authors, at least one written pre-1900.

Are the papers open-book or closed-book?

Paper 1 is closed-book in Sections A (Shakespeare) and B (unseen poetry) and open-book in Section C (comparing texts) only. Paper 2 is fully open-book, so you can take clean copies of your set texts into that exam.

What is the Independent Critical Study NEA?

A 2,500-word critical essay comparing two texts by different authors, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900, on a chosen theme. Students select their own texts (subject to AQA's prohibited-texts list) and their own thesis. Teacher-assessed and moderated by AQA.

What's the difference between Literature A and B?

Literature A is organised thematically ('Love through the ages'; 'Texts in shared contexts'). Literature B is organised by genre ('Literary genres'; 'Texts and genres'). Both are graded the same. Your school picks one.

Does Cognito cover AQA A-Level English Literature A?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for AQA A-Level English Literature A (7712). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

AQA A A-Level English Literature A (7712) Specification

AQA A-Level English Literature A (7712) is a two-year linear qualification organised thematically around 'Love through the ages' (Paper 1) and 'Texts in shared contexts' (Paper 2). Papers are worth 40% each, and a non-exam assessment 'Independent critical study: texts across time' is worth 20%.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. Love through the ages
Paper 1
- One Shakespeare play plus one poetry text (from the set poetry options)
- One prose text on love as central theme; one of the poetry or prose texts must be written pre-1900
- Comparison across time periods
2. Texts in shared contexts
Paper 2
- Option A: WW1 and its aftermath (drama, prose, poetry)
- Option B: Modern times: literature from 1945 to the present day
- Either option: three texts (one prose, one poetry, one drama), one of which must be written post-2000
- Study of set texts and unseen extracts
3. Independent critical study: texts across time (NEA)
NEA
- Comparative critical study of two texts by different authors, at least one written pre-1900
- Chosen theme, self-directed research

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1 (Love through the ages)	One Shakespeare play + one poetry text + one prose text, one of the poetry or prose texts written pre-1900	3h	75	40%	Section A: Shakespeare, one passage-based question with linked essay (25 marks). Section B: unseen poetry, one compulsory essay on two unseen poems (25 marks). Section C: Comparing texts, one essay linking two texts (25 marks)
Paper 2 (Texts in shared contexts)	Option A (WW1) or Option B (Modern times): drama, prose and poetry	2h 30m	75	40%	Section A: one essay on a set text (25 marks). Section B: Contextual linking, one compulsory question on an unseen extract (25 marks) plus one essay linking two texts (25 marks)
Non-exam assessment (Independent critical study)	Comparative study of two texts by different authors, at least one written pre-1900	Coursework	50	20%	2,500 word critical essay; teacher-assessed and moderated by AQA

PaperPaper 1 (Love through the ages)

What's assessedOne Shakespeare play + one poetry text + one prose text, one of the poetry or prose texts written pre-1900

Length3h

Marks75

Weight40%

Question typesSection A: Shakespeare, one passage-based question with linked essay (25 marks). Section B: unseen poetry, one compulsory essay on two unseen poems (25 marks). Section C: Comparing texts, one essay linking two texts (25 marks)

PaperPaper 2 (Texts in shared contexts)

What's assessedOption A (WW1) or Option B (Modern times): drama, prose and poetry

Length2h 30m

Marks75

Weight40%

Question typesSection A: one essay on a set text (25 marks). Section B: Contextual linking, one compulsory question on an unseen extract (25 marks) plus one essay linking two texts (25 marks)

PaperNon-exam assessment (Independent critical study)

What's assessedComparative study of two texts by different authors, at least one written pre-1900

LengthCoursework

Marks50

Weight20%

Question types2,500 word critical essay; teacher-assessed and moderated by AQA

Paper 1 is closed-book in Sections A and B and open-book in Section C only. Paper 2 is fully open-book. The NEA lets students choose their own texts (subject to AQA's prohibited-texts list) and theme.

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.	28%
AO2	Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.	24%
AO3	Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.	24%
AO4	Explore connections across literary texts.	12%
AO5	Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.	12%

AOAO1

What it meansArticulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.

Overall28%

AOAO2

What it meansAnalyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.

Overall24%

AOAO3

What it meansDemonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.

Overall24%

AOAO4

What it meansExplore connections across literary texts.

Overall12%

AOAO5

What it meansExplore literary texts informed by different interpretations.

Overall12%

assessment objectives

Memorise key quotations for Paper 1
Paper 1 Sections A and B are closed-book, so quotations for the Shakespeare play and any material used there must be recalled from memory. Section C is open-book. Build a bank of short powerful quotations per character and theme.
Start the NEA in year 12
The independent critical study needs comparative reading of two texts and a well-scoped thesis. Start scoping the theme and texts early. Check AQA's prohibited-texts list before committing.
Prepare for unseen poetry
Paper 1 Section B is a compulsory essay on two unseen poems. Practise weekly using varied poets and periods, and get used to writing about two unfamiliar poems together.
Learn to compare across time
Papers 1 and NEA both reward comparison across periods. Practise linking modern texts to earlier ones on shared themes (love, conflict, identity).
Study contexts strategically
AO3 is 24% and rewards understanding of context. Learn a handful of relevant contexts per text rather than piling on general history.
Engage with critical interpretations
AO5 is 12% and rewards different interpretations. Read summarised feminist, Marxist, psychoanalytic and post-colonial readings of your texts so you can bring them into essays.

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