CompetitivePractice + Mock

GCSE English Language

AQA 8700 · Reading + Writing across fiction and non-fiction

105
Minutes
20
Questions
620,000
Learners
~70% (Grade 4)
Pass mark
★ Start here · Official guidance

From practice to the real exam

Verified sources
01
Confirm exam board
AQA 8700 is the most common board. Edexcel 1EN0 and OCR J351 follow similar formats. Confirm with your school.
02
Cover both papers
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing (fiction sources). Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints & Perspectives (non-fiction, two sources to compare).
03
Practice timed writing
Section B of each paper is timed creative/persuasive writing. ~45 minutes per piece. Mark schemes reward structure, ambitious vocab, and varied sentence forms.
04
Use past papers
AQA releases sample texts and full past papers free. Mark schemes give exact AO descriptors.
05
Spoken Language endorsement
A separate non-exam endorsement (presentation + Q&A) — pass/merit/distinction, doesn't affect overall grade. Conducted by your teacher.
Official resources
Heads up: Links open in a new tab and go to government / awarding-body sites. AceMark is not affiliated — always verify deadlines and fees on the official page.
Exam blueprint

What this exam covers

5 topics · 20 questions in the bank
Topic weights below mirror the real exam blueprint. To practise any single topic, use the Your study path panel on the right.
01Writing techniques
35%7 questions
02Grammar & punctuation
20%4 questions
03Reading comprehension
15%3 questions
04Language analysis
15%3 questions
05Structural analysis
15%3 questions
The experience

What to expect on test day

Timed simulation
Every mock runs under real exam time pressure. No pauses, no hints — exactly like the day.
Randomised questions
Every attempt draws fresh questions. You cannot memorise your way to a pass — you have to understand.
Integrity monitoring
Tab switches are logged in mock mode. Three switches auto-submits — same discipline as a real proctor.
Detailed results
Topic-by-topic breakdown, every answer explained, and a personalised 5-day study plan when you finish.
How to prepare

Competitive study playbook

Four habits that move the needle most — pulled from how high-scorers actually study.

01
Spend the first week entirely on your weakest topic — momentum follows confidence.
02
Previous-year papers are the single highest-ROI study tool. Treat them as gospel.
03
Strict time per question. Most failures are time-management failures, not knowledge failures.
04
For GS: daily current affairs reading is non-negotiable — even 15 minutes compounds.