Specifications that use this resource:

Switching to AQA: from Edexcel

Compare our GCSE English Language (8700) to Edexcel.

Although the specifications are different, the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual state that they both need to include the following:

NEA in the form of a spoken language endorsement, with the same task
and marking criteria
unseen non-fiction and prose fiction texts
unseen texts from the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Century
an assessment of critical reading and comprehension
an assessment of summary and synthesis skills
an equal weighting on the student skills in SPAG
a comparison of unseen texts
an assessment of writing for impact, purpose and audience.

Each reading question focuses on one assessment objective at a time.
The writing tasks are always linked to the theme or topic introduced in the reading section of the question paper.
Students are required to respond to one 19^th, one 20^th and one 21^st Century unseen text.
Comparison is assessed on one paper.

The AQA papers are equally weighted, putting less pressure on students to do better in one than the other.
Edexcel’s two papers are split 40%/60% and have a greater emphasis on persuasive and instructional writing.
Edexcel offer students a choice of writing questions on both papers. AQA offers a choice on one of the two question papers.
AQA’s Paper 2 is 1hr 45 mins, Edexcel’s is 2hr 5 mins.
AQA assess three reading assessment objectives per question paper. Edexcel’s Paper 2 assesses four which is lot for students to tackle in one go.
AQA presents the 19^th Century text (often perceived to be challenging), alongside a 20^th or 21^st Century source. This makes comparison questions more accessible
Edexcel present the 19^th Century text as a standalone source. This means every reading question relies on the student accessing the 19^th Century text.

AQA	Edexcel
Four questions on an unseen 20^th or 21^st Century prose fiction text. Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.	Four questions on an unseen 19^th Century prose fiction text. Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.

AQA

Edexcel

Four questions on an unseen 20^th or 21^st Century prose fiction text.

Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.

Four questions on an unseen 19^th Century prose fiction text.

Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.

AQA	Edexcel
One extended writing task from a choice of two creative tasks. Each task has a visual or written prompt and is linked to the topic of the text in Section A.	One extended writing task from a choice of two creative tasks. Each task has a visual or written prompt and is linked to the text in Section A.

AQA	Edexcel
Four questions on two unseen non-fiction texts, one from the 19^th Century and a second from either the 20^th or 21^st Century/ Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.	Seven questions, one of which has two parts, on two unseen non-fiction texts, from the 20^th and 21^st Century. Each question or question part assesses one Assessment Objective.

AQA

Edexcel

Four questions on two unseen non-fiction texts, one from the 19^th Century and a second from either the 20^th or 21^st Century/

Each question assesses one Assessment Objective.

Seven questions, one of which has two parts, on two unseen non-fiction texts, from the 20^th and 21^st Century.

Each question or question part assesses one Assessment Objective.

AQA	Edexcel
One extended writing task inviting students to share a perspective on a theme linked to the texts in Section A.	One extended piece of transactional writing from a choice of two tasks, linked to the reading texts in Section A.