AQA GCSE English Language Complete Past Papers (2020–2025) – Paper 1 & 2 with Examiner Tips
- Lucy Pennington
- Feb 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 26
This page gives you access to every available AQA GCSE English Language past paper from 2020 to 2025, covering both Paper 1 (Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing) and Paper 2 (Writers' Viewpoints & Perspectives). For each exam series — including June and November sittings — you'll find the full question paper with inserts and the official mark scheme, all in one place.
Before you attempt the past papers, we urge you to read the Examiner Guidance first. Seriously — don't skip this part. The guidance below (or click here to jump straight to it) has been put together based on the most common mistakes students make year after year. Wishing you all the best with the upcoming papers!
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2025 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers & Answers
2025 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (May 2025) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2025) | ||
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2024 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers & Answers
2024 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (June 2024) | ||
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (Nov 2024) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2024) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (Nov 2024) | ||
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2023 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers & Answers
2023 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (June 2023) | ||
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (Nov 2023) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2023) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (Nov 2023) | ||
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2022 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers & Answers
2022 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (June 2022) | ||
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (Nov 2022) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2022) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (Nov 2022) | ||
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2021 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers, Inserts & Mark Schemes PDF
2021 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (June 2021) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2021) | ||
AQA GCSE English Language Past Papers 2020 (9–1) – Paper 1 & Paper 2 Question Papers & Answers
2020 AQA GCSE English Papers | Downloads | |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (June 2024) | ||
Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints & Perspectives (June 2024) | ||
What Do AQA English Language Examiners Wish Every Student Knew Before Past Papers?
Before you begin, please read the following examiner guidance carefully. These points are based on common weaknesses identified and will help you avoid losing marks unnecessarily.
Selecting Details from Outside the Given Lines
One of the most frequent errors in Question 1 is selecting information from the wrong part of the text. Even if the information is factually correct based on the whole extract, it cannot be rewarded if it falls outside the lines specified in the question.
Our Recommendation: Students should check the line numbers multiple times and even draw a box around the specified section of the text before they start writing
2. "Feature Spotting" Without Explaining Effects
In language and structure questions, many students correctly identify a device (like a simile or alliteration) but fail to explain why the writer used it or what impact it has on the reader. Identifying a technique alone does not gain high marks.
We recommnd that you focus on the "how" and "why". Students should explain the connotations of specific words and how they link to the overall atmosphere or character's feelings.
3. Using Long Quotations Instead of Focused Analysis
Students often select entire sentences or long phrases, which often leads to them simply paraphrasing the content rather than analyzing the language.
We'd highly suggest that you use the "a lot about a little" approach. Isolate a single word or a very short phrase and "unpack" it in detail.
4. Making Spurious Assertions About Sentence Length
A common mistake in structure questions is claiming that "short sentences create tension" or "long sentences suggest boredom". The examiners noted these are often "spurious assertions" that are not always true for the specific text.
We would highly suggest that instead of using generic rules, students should ask, "Why that sentence? Why there?". It is more successful to discuss how a phrase contrasts with what came before it than to link sentence length to a generic atmosphere.
5. Failing to Compare "Like for Like" (Paper 2)
In the comparison task (Question 4), weaker responses often compare unrelated aspects of the two texts—for example, comparing the busyness of one setting with the lack of resources in another.
Aim for direct "like for like" comparisons. Start paragraphs with an overarching comparison (e.g., how both writers treat their patients) before exploring the specific methods used in each text.
6. Omitting "Methods" in Comparison and Evaluation
In both Paper 1 Question 4 and Paper 2 Question 4, students often focus entirely on what the characters or writers feel, forgetting to analyze the methods (language, structure, or tone) used to convey those feelings.
We recommend that you address the statement directly by referring to the writer's use of methods. Use phrases like "The writer uses the adverb 'delicately' to show..." to ensure methods are integrated into the evaluation.
7. "Shoe-horning" Sophisticated Vocabulary Incorrectly
In the writing tasks, many students use "pre-prepared" ambitious words like "lackadaisical" or "axiomatic" in ways that don't fit the context or tone, which actually lowers the quality of the writing.
Only use complex vocabulary if you are certain of its meaning and suitability for the audience. Precision and clarity are more important than using "fancy" words for the sake of it.
8. Attempting a Full Narrative Arc in a Short Time
For the narrative writing task, students often try to write a whole story with a beginning, middle, and end, leading to a fast-paced but "thinly described" plot.
We would highly recommend that you focus on a single event, episode, or moment of discovery. Starting and ending the narrative "in the action" allows for more engaging, detailed description.
9. Poor Sentence Demarcation and Paragraphing
Examiners have reported a decline in basic technical accuracy, with many students failing to use full stops and capital letters correctly or neglecting to use paragraphs at all.
Leave time to proofread specifically for sentence boundaries. Secure paragraphing is essential for organizing ideas and achieving higher marks in AO6.
10. Writing Excessive Length at the Expense of Quality
Many students write five or six pages, but examiners find they often lose control of their grammar and cohesion the more they write.
Focus on quality over quantity. A shorter (3-4 sides), more carefully crafted, and accurately proofread response is likely to secure higher marks than a long, rambling one.
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