This key facts covers The AQA Mark Scheme: What the Numbers Mean within Structuring an AQA Response for GCSE English Literature. Revise Structuring an AQA Response in Exam Skills for GCSE English Literature with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 7 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📋 The AQA Mark Scheme: What the Numbers Mean
- Paper 1 Section A (Shakespeare): 30 marks — AO1 = 12, AO2 = 12, AO3 = 6, plus 4 marks SPaG
- Paper 1 Section B (19th-century novel): 30 marks — same AO split, no SPaG
- Paper 2 Section A (Modern text): 34 marks — AO1 = 12, AO2 = 12, AO3 = 10
- Paper 2 Section B (Poetry): 30 marks (comparison) + 4 unseen
- Level 6 threshold: typically 25-30/30 in Section A — requires sustained, convincing analysis across the whole essay
- AO2 = 42.5% of the whole GCSE — analysis of language, form, structure is the single largest Assessment Objective
Practice questions for Structuring an AQA Response
AQA mark-scheme descriptors for Level 5-6 use two specific words to describe what a high-band essay must do. Which pair of words is correct?
Describe the structural principle that separates a band 5-6 AQA English Literature response from a band 3-4 response. (2 marks)