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GCSE English Literature

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GCSE English Literature

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

20-question mock30 min~70% (Grade 4) pass markUnited Kingdom

Single questions with instant feedback — no timer, learn as you go.

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From practice to the real exam

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
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Exam blueprint

What this exam covers

5 topics · drawn across your practice and mock
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
Your study path
Master this exam, topic by topic
Drill one topic at a time. After each session you'll see where you went wrong and can retake until you've got it.
Questions per session
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Frequently asked questions

Is the GCSE English Literature practice test free?

Yes. The core GCSE English Literature practice on AceMark is free to start — no credit card needed. Sign in (takes 10 seconds) if you'd like to track your progress, save attempts, and unlock the Mentor. Otherwise, browse and explore questions without an account.

How many questions are in the GCSE English Literature quiz?

Each GCSE English Literature attempt draws 20 questions and runs for about 105 minutes under realistic timed conditions.

Can I retake the GCSE English Literature test, and are the questions randomised?

Yes. Every attempt pulls a fresh, randomised set of questions, so you can't memorise your way through — you retake it until you genuinely know the material.

What score do I need to pass the GCSE English Literature?

The pass mark used in this simulation is ~70% (Grade 4). AceMark scores every attempt instantly and shows which topics to review.