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About AQA A Level English Literature
AQA A Level English Literature A is code 7712, with a DfE discount code of 5110 and an accreditation number of 601/5327/1. It is specification A, which is a different course from Literature B. Paper 1 is Love through the ages and lasts 3 hours, Paper 2 is Texts in shared contexts and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, and both carry 75 marks and 40% of the A-level. The remaining 20% is a non-exam assessment called Independent critical study: texts across time.
The open book rules are not the same on the two papers. AQA describes Paper 1 as open book in Section C only, which means the Shakespeare passage-based question in Section A is answered from memory, while Section B is unseen poetry and has no text to bring. Paper 2 is open book for the whole paper, so students may take their set texts in. That single phrase changes how each paper has to be prepared.
Both papers include unseen material worth 25 marks each. Paper 1 Section B is a compulsory essay on two unseen poems, and Paper 2 Section B begins with a compulsory question on an unseen prose extract. So 50 marks across the two papers are on texts the student has never seen, and neither question is optional, which makes unseen practice a steady part of the course rather than a revision topic.
The reading requirements differ by paper. Paper 1 needs three texts, one poetry and one prose, of which one must be pre-1900, plus one Shakespeare play. Paper 2 needs three texts, one prose, one poetry and one drama, of which one must be written post-2000, and it sits inside one of two options: WW1 and its aftermath, or Modern times from 1945 to the present day. If you want to see how A Level English Literature compares across boards, that page sets them side by side.
Who AQA A Level English Literature Is For
This course suits Year 13 students sitting AQA A Level English Literature A 7712 who need the open book rules straight, both unseen sections practised, and the 2,500 word comparative essay planned early.
- Year 13 students sitting AQA A Level English Literature A 7712
- Students who assume both papers are fully open book and are caught out in Section A
- Students who have not practised unseen poetry or unseen prose under time
- Students choosing between option 2A WW1 and its aftermath or option 2B Modern times
- Private candidates, who can enter this specification but must be based in the UK and need a centre to assess the coursework
AQA A Level English Literature: The Board We Cover
AQA is the board this page covers. Every fact here comes from AQA's own 7712 specification.
AQA
AQA's A Level English Literature A is code 7712: a 3 hour paper at 40%, a 2 hour 30 minute paper at 40%, and a 2,500 word comparative essay at 20%. Paper 1 is open book in Section C only, and both papers include an unseen section worth 25 marks.
How Centaurus Helps AQA A Level English Literature Students Excel
Open Book Rules Applied Exactly
Paper 1 is open book in Section C only, so the Shakespeare essay is prepared from memory while Paper 2 is prepared as a fully open book paper.
Unseen Practised All Year
Two unseen poems on Paper 1 and an unseen prose extract on Paper 2 are compulsory and worth 25 marks each, so unseen work runs through the course.
Text Choice Checked Per Paper
Paper 1 needs poetry, prose and Shakespeare with a pre-1900 rule, while Paper 2 needs prose, poetry and drama with a post-2000 rule, so reading is planned per paper.
Option 2A or 2B Chosen Deliberately
Paper 2 sits inside one of two named options, so the choice is discussed before teaching begins rather than inherited by default.
Coursework Planned Early
The 2,500 word comparative essay needs two texts with at least one pre-1900, so the pairing and the reading are settled in good time for drafting.
24/7 Progress Reporting
Families get access to the Centaurus Academy LMS, with attendance, progress and lesson notes available to parents, students and teachers at any time.
Why Centaurus Stands Out
Choosing the right AQA A Level English Literature support makes a real difference. Here is how Centaurus Academy compares with typical online providers.
Meet our Team Of Experts
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AQA A Level English Literature: Frequently Asked Questions
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