AQA English Language Paper 1 Past Papers
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AQA English Language Paper 1 Past Papers
All AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 (8700/1) past papers from 2017 to 2025, with mark schemes and inserts, plus the 2026 sample paper in the new format.
Jump to: Papers by year What changed in 2026 Paper 2 All papers
Paper 1 is Explorations in creative reading and writing. 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of the GCSE. Section A (40 marks) is four questions on one fiction extract. Section B (40 marks) is one piece of creative writing.
Paper 1 past papers by year
2026
Latest series| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026Exam sat summer 2026 | Not yet released by AQA | ||
| 2026 sample paperOfficial AQA specimen, new format | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2025
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2024
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2024 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2023
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2023 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2022
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2022 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2021
No June exams in 2021 (cancelled)| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2021 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2020
No June exams in 2020 (cancelled)| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2020 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2019
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2019 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2019 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2018
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2018 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2018 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
2017
| Exam | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2017 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
| November 2017 | Question paper | Mark scheme | Insert |
What changed in AQA English Language Paper 1 for 2026
From the June 2026 exams, AQA updated Paper 1. The paper is still 1 hour 45 minutes and 80 marks, but three questions changed:
Question 1 is now multiple choice: shade the correct statements (4 marks).
Question 3 asks about one structural effect rather than several structural features (8 marks).
Question 5 narrative option now asks for the opening of a story instead of a whole story (40 marks).
Questions 2 and 4 are unchanged, and Paper 2 is unchanged. The 2026 sample set below shows the new format. Older papers are still great practice for Questions 2, 4 and 5 descriptive writing.
Mark breakdown
| Question | What it asks | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Retrieve information from the source (multiple choice from 2026) | 4 | 5 min |
| Q2 | Analyse the writer's use of language | 8 | 10 min |
| Q3 | Analyse structure (one structural effect from 2026) | 8 | 10 min |
| Q4 | Evaluate a statement about the text | 20 | 20 min |
| Q5 | Descriptive or narrative writing | 40 | 45 min |
How to use past papers properly
- Do them under timed conditions. 1 hour 45 minutes, no phone. The timing is the hardest part of this exam.
- Mark your own answers with the mark scheme first. Read the level descriptors, not just the indicative content. Work out which level you hit and why.
- Redo the question you scored lowest on. Same source, same question, a week later. That's where the marks come from.
- Keep a list of the phrases examiners reward. The mark schemes repeat the same ideas every year.
Frequently asked questions
What is AQA English Language Paper 1?
Paper 1 is Explorations in creative reading and writing. It is 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 80 marks and 50% of the GCSE. Section A is four reading questions on one fiction extract. Section B is one creative writing task.
What changed in Paper 1 for 2026?
Question 1 became multiple choice, Question 3 now asks about a single structural effect, and the narrative option in Question 5 asks for the opening of a story. Questions 2 and 4 are unchanged. The 2026 sample paper on this page shows the new format.
Are the older Paper 1 papers still useful after the 2026 changes?
Yes. Questions 2, 4 and the descriptive writing option are unchanged, so every paper from 2017 onwards is still good practice for most of the marks. Use the 2026 sample paper for Questions 1 and 3.
How long should I spend on Question 5?
45 minutes. It is 40 marks, half the paper, so give it half the time. Spend five minutes planning before you write.
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Last updated October 2026. New papers are added as soon as AQA publishes them.
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AQA GCSE English Language past papers
Paper 1 and Paper 2, 2017 to 2025, with inserts and mark schemes, plus the 2026 sample set.
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