Paper 1 Section A – The Latest Information from AQA

The exam board (AQA) has made it clearer what they are maring for in section A of paper 1. If
you understand this before you go in it will help you get maximum marks.

GCSE English (Specification A): Paper 1 Section A

The following AOs will be assessed in all questions in Section A rather than in specific
questions:
• read, with insight and engagement, making appropriate references to texts (AO2 (i));
• select material appropriate to their purpose (AO2 (iv))

HIGHER TIER
• Question 01 tests the ability to follow an argument (AO2 (iii))
• Question 02 tests the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion (AO2 (ii))
• Question 03 and 04 will test the ability to understand and evaluate how writers use
• linguistic, structural and presentational devices to achieve their effects (AO2 (v))
• Either Question 03 or 04 will test the ability to make cross references (AO2 (iv))

FOUNDATION TIER
• Question 01 will test the ability to read with insight and engagement (information
• retrieval) (AO2 (i))
• Question 02 will test the ability to follow an argument (AO2 (iii))
• Question 03 will test the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion (AO2 (ii))
• Questions 04 and 05 will test the ability to evaluate how writers use linguistic,
• structural and presentational devices to achieve their effects (AO2 (v))
• Either Question 04 or 05 will test the ability to make cross references (AO2 (iv))