AQA · GCSE
AQA GCSE English Literature
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702). What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official specification, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.
- Syllabus
- 8702
- Board
- AQA
- Qualification
- GCSE
- Not your course?
- Change course
Topics and resources
Each topic below is from the official AQA document for AQA GCSE English Literature (8702), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) only.
- Learn with study guides
- Revise with revision notes
- Practise with practice questions
Searches topic names and resource titles for this course only.
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- Try one shorter word, or check the spelling.
- Try the wording the syllabus uses for the topic, as listed below once you clear the search.
- Some topics have no Marlbridge resource yet; they are still listed.
- Topic 1
Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Covers Shakespeare, The 19th-century novel
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 2
Modern texts and poetry
Covers Modern texts, Poetry, Unseen poetry
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 3
Skills
Covers Reading comprehension and reading critically, Writing
No Marlbridge resource for this topic yet. It is still part of the syllabus, so use the official document and past papers for it.
Covering more than one topic
Course guides, exam preparation and pages that span several topics.
Study guides
No study guide for this course yet.
Revision notes
No revision notes for this course yet.
Practice questions
Source: AQA — official specification pages at aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8702/specification — For first teaching 2015. Verified 2026-08-19. Every subtopic the document lists is shown. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
About this course
- Qualification
- AQA GCSE English Literature
- Spec code
- 8702
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes — request a free trial class
- Who teaches it?
- Ammar Bilal
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 8 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Official specification
- AQA specification
- Topic checklist
- Printable 8702 checklist
- Where was this verified?
- 2026-08-19, official AQA specification
Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-19.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.
The qualification
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
Marlbridge's summary of the course
AQA GCSE English Literature encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking through the study of a range of high-quality, intellectually challenging texts.
The board's own description is on the official AQA syllabus page.
For first teaching 2015. Assessed across two papers: Paper 1 ‘Shakespeare and the 19th-century Novel’ and Paper 2 ‘Modern Texts and Poetry’ (including an unseen poetry section). All assessments are closed book. Fully co-teachable with AQA GCSE English Language (8700).
Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.
Assessment structure
Linear qualification
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8702/1: Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel | 1h 45m | 64 | 40% | Written exam |
| 8702/2: Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry | 2h 15m | 96 | 60% | Written exam |
Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page: linear, not tiered, closed-book (any stimulus materials are provided in the assessment), two written papers of UNEQUAL weighting – unlike the sciences/humanities pairs above. Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel): 1h45, 64 marks, 40% of GCSE – Section A one Shakespeare play question, Section B one 19th-century novel question, both requiring detailed extract analysis plus whole-text discussion. Paper 2 (Modern texts and poetry): 2h15, 96 marks, 60% of GCSE – Section A one modern prose/drama essay from a choice of two, Section B one comparative poetry-anthology question, Section C (Unseen poetry) one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. All assessments compulsory. First teaching September 2015, first examination June 2017.
Questions about this course
How is AQA English Literature (8702) assessed?
AQA English Literature (8702) is assessed through: 8702/1 (Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel) — 1h 45m, 64 marks, 40% of the qualification; 8702/2 (Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry) — 2h 15m, 96 marks, 60% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.
What topics does AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) cover?
3 topics in the current syllabus: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel; Modern texts and poetry; Skills. The printable topic checklist lists every topic and subtopic on one page.
Can I get a tutor for AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)?
Yes. Marlbridge teaches AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) live online, one-to-one or in small groups, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.
Are there free AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) revision notes and practice questions?
Yes. Marlbridge has published 8 free resources for this course (study guides, exam preparation guides, practice questions, revision notes), free to read with no sign-up.
The subject
English Literature teaching and study resources, organised by level, board and topic.
English Literature at other qualifications
These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.
- Cambridge IGCSE English Literature Syllabus 0475
- Cambridge A Level English Literature Syllabus 9695
- Pearson Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Syllabus 4ET1
- Pearson Edexcel A Level English Literature Syllabus YET01
- AQA A Level English Literature Syllabus 7712 / 7717
- OxfordAQA IGCSE English Literature Syllabus 9275
- OxfordAQA A Level English Literature Syllabus 9675
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