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About AQA AS Level English Literature
AQA AS Level English Literature A is code 7711, with a DfE discount code of 5110 and an accreditation number of 601/5259/X. It is specification A, not the separate Literature B course. There are two papers, both 1 hour 30 minutes long and both carrying 50 marks, worth 50% of the AS each, and both scaled by one, so the total scaled mark is 100. The theme across the whole qualification is love through the ages, and the AS is graded on a five point scale of A, B, C, D and E.
The most important practical difference between the papers is what a student may take into the room. The Shakespeare and poetry paper is closed book: AQA states that students are not permitted to take a copy of their set text into the exam. The prose paper is open book, so students may take a copy of their set texts in, but AQA adds that these texts must not be annotated and must not contain any additional notes or materials. So the open book paper still requires a clean copy of the book, and a student who has annotated their working copy all year needs a second one.
The reading load is four texts. AQA states that students will study one Shakespeare play, one poetry anthology and two prose texts, and will also respond to an unseen prose extract in the exam. The Shakespeare choices are Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure and The Winter's Tale. The poetry choice is one of two AQA anthologies, love poetry through the ages pre-1900 or post-1900. The prose choice is two texts from a list of twelve that runs from Persuasion and Jane Eyre to Rebecca and Atonement.
All five assessment objectives are examined on both papers, in the same proportion, so the skill mix never changes and only the material does. AQA states that students will need to show coverage of all AOs in all tasks. The largest is AO1 at 28%, which rewards responses that are informed, relevant, accurately written and use appropriate concepts and terminology, and the smallest are AO4 and AO5 at 12% each. If you want to see how AS Level English Literature compares across boards, that page sets them side by side.
Who AQA AS Level English Literature Is For
This course suits Year 12 students sitting AQA AS Level English Literature A 7711 who need the closed book paper memorised, the open book paper prepared properly, and the unseen prose section taken seriously as half of Paper 2.
- Year 12 students sitting AQA AS Level English Literature A 7711
- Students who have annotated their set texts and need clean copies for the open book paper
- Students relying on quotations for the closed book Shakespeare and poetry paper
- Students who have prepared only set texts and not practised unseen prose
- Private candidates, who can enter this specification but must be based in the UK
AQA AS Level English Literature: The Board We Cover
AQA is the board this page covers. Every fact here comes from AQA's own 7711 specification.
AQA
AQA's AS Level English Literature A is code 7711: two 1 hour 30 minute papers of 50 marks each, built on four set texts. Paper 1 is closed book; Paper 2 is open book with clean copies only. All five assessment objectives appear on both papers, AO1 leading at 28%.
How Centaurus Helps AQA AS Level English Literature Students Excel
Closed Book Memorised
Paper 1 bans the set text from the room, so Shakespeare quotations and poetry terminology are learned and tested from the first month of the course.
The Clean Copy Rule Enforced
Paper 2 allows the book but forbids annotation and extra notes, so a separate clean copy is checked against that rule before the exam rather than discovered on the day.
Unseen Prose Treated as Half a Paper
Section A of Paper 2 is 25 marks on an extract the student has never seen, so unseen practice runs all year instead of stopping with the set texts.
All Five Objectives on Both Papers
Because every paper requires all five objectives, practice essays are marked against all five every time, with AO1 accuracy weighted as the largest at 28%.
Four Texts Chosen Deliberately
One Shakespeare play from four, one of two anthologies and two prose texts from twelve, so the combination is discussed before the course starts.
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 AS 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 AS Level English Literature: Frequently Asked Questions
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