Question 1

Are these AQA GCSE English Literature past papers free to download?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every AQA GCSE English Literature past paper and mark scheme on this page is free to download - no sign-up and no premium tier. It's put together by qualified tutors, and it stays free.

Question 2

Do the English Literature past papers come with mark schemes?

Accepted Answer

Yes - every paper here links to its official AQA mark scheme, so you can sit the paper and then mark your own work the way an examiner would.

Question 3

What years do these English Literature past papers cover?

Accepted Answer

This page lists 10 AQA English Literature papers from 2020 to 2024, grouped by year with the question paper and mark scheme for each sitting.

Question 4

Which specification do these English Literature papers follow?

Accepted Answer

These are papers for the AQA GCSE English Literature specification (8702). Check this matches the specification your school is entered for before you rely on them.

Question 5

How should I use past papers to revise English Literature?

Accepted Answer

Sit each paper in one go under timed conditions without your notes, then mark it honestly against the official mark scheme. Note the topics where you dropped marks, revise those, then move on to the next paper.

AQA GCSE English Literature Past Papers

2024

: Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel (8702/1)

: Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (8702/2)

2023

: Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel (8702/1)

: Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (8702/2)

2022

: Paper 1M: Modern Prose/ Drama (8702/1M)

: Paper 2: Shakespeare and unseen Poetry (8702/2)

2021

: Paper 1M: Modern Prose/ Drama (8702/1M) (Labelled as June 2021)

: Paper 2: Shakespeare and unseen Poetry (8702/2) (Labelled as June 2021)

2020

: Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel (8702/1) (Labelled as June 2020)

: Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (8702/2) (Labelled as June 2020)