AQAAS Level48 resources

AQA AS Level English Literature Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA AS Level English Literature past papers and mark schemes. 48 resources covering 2020 – 2023. Free PDF downloads.

📅2020 – 2023📄48 resources availableFree to download

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Year

48 of 48 resources

June 2023

18 files
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2B Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of comedy – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1B Literary genres: Drama: aspects of comedy – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Question Paper

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2B Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of comedy – June 2023

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1B Literary genres: Drama: aspects of comedy – June 2023

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2023

Mark Scheme
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2023

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2023

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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2023

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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2023

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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2023

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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2023

Question Paper

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2023

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2023

Mark Scheme

June 2022

19 files
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2B Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of comedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2B Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of comedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1B Literary genres: Drama: aspects of comedy – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Question Paper

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2B Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of comedy – June 2022

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1B Literary genres: Drama: aspects of comedy – June 2022

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – June 2022

Mark Scheme
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2022

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2022

Question Paper

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – June 2022

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – June 2022

Mark Scheme

November 2020

11 files
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Question Paper
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AS English Literature B – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Question Paper

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2A Literary genres: Prose and poetry: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature B – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1A Literary genres: Drama: aspects of tragedy – November 2020

Mark Scheme
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – November 2020

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – November 2020

Question Paper
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AS English Literature A – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – November 2020

Question Paper

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Love through the ages: prose – November 2020

Mark Scheme

AS English Literature A – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Love through the ages: Shakespeare and poetry – November 2020

Mark Scheme

About AQA AS Level English Literature

AQA AS English Literature is offered in two parallel specifications: Specification A (7711) which is structured around the chronological and thematic study of literature, and Specification B (7716) which is structured around literary genres (tragedy, comedy, social and political protest writing). Both specifications are assessed through two 90-minute written papers across the AS year, each carrying equal weight. This hub page gathers AS English Literature past papers across both specifications. If your school has chosen Spec A, see the dedicated AQA AS English Literature A page; for Spec B, see the AQA AS English Literature B page. Both specifications share roughly 30% of skills assessment objectives — contextual interpretation, comparison across texts, and analysis of language, form and structure — so cross-reading mark schemes is useful. AS papers are stand-alone qualifications, distinct from the linear A-Level which they preceded historically. Many schools no longer enter candidates for AS English Literature, but the past papers remain available and are excellent practice for first-year A-Level students.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1

AS Spec A or B — first paper

1h 30min🎯 50 marks📊 50% of grade
Paper 2

AS Spec A or B — second paper

1h 30min🎯 50 marks📊 50% of grade

Key Information

Exam BoardAQA
Specification Code7711 (Spec A) and 7716 (Spec B)
QualificationAS Level
Grading ScaleA*–E
Assessment Type2 written papers
Number Of Papers2 written papers
Exam Duration1 hour 30 minutes per paper
Total Marks100
Available Sessions2020 – 2023
Total Resources48

Key Topics in English Literature

Topics you need to know

Tragedy as a literary genreComedy as a literary genreSocial and political protest writingContextual interpretationComparative analysisCritical perspectives

Exam Command Words

Command wordWhat the examiner expects
AnalyseExamine in detail how language, structure or form creates meaning and effect
CompareIdentify similarities and differences in writers’ choices and effects
EvaluateMake a judgement about the success or impact of a text, supporting it with evidence
ExplainGive reasons for an effect, supported by precise textual reference
Comment onOffer an interpretation of a feature or quotation
DiscussConsider different interpretations or aspects of a text

Typical Grade Boundaries

GradeApproximate mark needed
A70–82%
B58–70%
C46–58%
D34–46%
E24–35%

⚠️ Typical AS Level boundaries (legacy linear AS). Actual boundaries vary year to year.

How to Use AQA AS Level English Literature Past Papers Effectively

English Literature past papers reward two cross-cutting skills: precise quotation and critical framing. Before you sit a past paper, build a quotation bank for each set text — fifteen quotations per text, organised by theme, character and structural function (opening, climax, resolution). Integrate at least two critical perspectives per essay. For tragedy, contrast Aristotelian catharsis with feminist or post-colonial readings. For social protest writing, draw on Marxist and historicist criticism. Naming a critic (Eagleton, Greenblatt, Showalter) once per essay is worth a band's lift. For extract questions, annotate before you write. Mark up the extract for: significant lexical fields, structural turning points, intertextual echoes, and contextually charged moments. The strongest responses zoom in twice and zoom out once — close reading anchored in larger thematic claims. Time management is brutal at AS — 90 minutes for a complex two-text essay is tight. Practise writing 1,000-word essays in 60 minutes, leaving 15 for planning and 15 for final read-through. Examiner reports highlight that incomplete essays score in the bottom band regardless of quality.

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