CompetitivePractice + Mock

GCSE English Literature

AQA 8702 · Shakespeare, 19C novel, modern texts, poetry

105
Minutes
20
Questions
535,000
Learners
~70% (Grade 4)
Pass mark
★ Start here · Official guidance

From practice to the real exam

Verified sources
01
Confirm set texts
AQA 8702 is most common. Required: one Shakespeare play (often Macbeth or Romeo & Juliet), one 19C novel (often A Christmas Carol or Jekyll & Hyde), one modern text (An Inspector Calls is the most popular), the Power & Conflict (or Love & Relationships) poetry anthology.
02
Closed-book exams
Both papers are closed book (since 2017). You must memorise key quotations. Aim for 15–20 short quotations per text, organised by theme/character.
03
Master AOs
AO1 (response with evidence), AO2 (analysis of methods), AO3 (context), AO4 (vocabulary, punctuation). Examiners mark holistically — you need ALL four.
04
Practice unseen poetry
Paper 2 Section C is unseen poetry. Practice with poetry you haven't studied — work on identifying tone, structure, and devices on the fly.
05
Use past papers
AQA releases past papers, mark schemes, and exemplar responses free.
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.
01Macbeth (Shakespeare)
30%6 questions
02Unseen poetry
25%5 questions
03A Christmas Carol
15%3 questions
04An Inspector Calls
15%3 questions
05Power & Conflict poetry
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.