Switching to AQA from Edexcel
To save you time and help you compare our A-level Spanish specification with the Edexcel specification, we’ve created some comparison tables.
These tables highlight the content and requirements side-by-side, so you can make the right choice for your students.
Let us know if you’d like to hear from us, we’ll send you everything you need to get started.
Assessment structure
Paper 1
AQA – A-level Spanish | Edexcel – A-level Spanish |
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Paper 1 – listening, reading and writing | Paper 1 – listening, reading and translation |
Written exam | Written exam |
2 hours 30 minutes | 2 hours |
100 marks (50% of A-level) | 80 marks (40% of A-level) |
Listening and responding to spoken passages. All questions in Spanish to be answered in Spanish or with non-verbal responses (30 marks) Reading and responding to a variety of texts. All questions in Spanish to be answered in Spanish or with non-verbal responses (50 marks) Translation into Spanish; passage of a minimum of 100 words (10 marks) Translation into English; passage of a minimum of 100 words (10 marks). | Listening and responding to spoken passages. All question in Spanish to be answered in French or with non-verbal responses (30 marks) Reading and responding to a variety of texts. All questions in Spanish to be answered in French or with non-verbal responses (30 marks) Translation into English; passage of a minimum of 100 words (20 marks)
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Paper 2
AQA – A-level Spanish | Edexcel – A-level Spanish |
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Paper 2 – writing | Paper 2 – written response to works and translation |
Written exam | Written exam |
2 hours | 2 hours and 40 minutes |
80 marks (20% of A-level) | 120 marks (30% of A-level) |
Either one question in Spanish on a set text, from a choice of two questions, and one question in Spanish on a set film, from a choice of two questions, or two questions on set texts, from a choice of two questions on each text. Students are advised to write approximately 300 words per essay.
| Translation into Spanish ; passage of a minimum of 100 words (20 marks) Either one question in Spanish on a set text, from a choice of two questions, and one question in Spanish on a set film, from a choice of two questions, or two questions on set texts, from a choice of two questions on each text. Students are advised to write 300–350 words per essay.
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Paper 3
AQA – A-level Spanish | Edexcel – A-level Spanish |
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Paper 3 – speaking | Paper 3 – speaking |
21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time) | 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation) |
60 marks (30% of A-level) | 72 marks (30% of A-level) |
Discussion of sub-theme based on a stimulus card (Student chooses card from two cards offered) (5–6 mins) (25 marks). Presentation (2 mins) and Discussion (9–10 mins) of individual research project (35 marks).
| Discussion of sub-theme based on a stimulus card (Student chooses sub-theme from two sub-themes offered) (6–7 mins) (30 marks). Presentation and Discussion (10–11 minutes) of individual research project (42 marks). |
Subject content
Core themes
AQA – A-level Spanish | Edexcel – A-level Spanish |
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Aspects of Hispanic society: Students may study all sub-themes in relation to any Spanish-speaking country or countries. Modern and traditional values (Los valores tradicionales y modernos)
Cyberspace (El ciberespacio)
Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos)
| Theme 1: La evolución de la sociedad española Theme 1 is set in the context of Spain only. This theme covers social issues and trends. El cambio en la estructura familiar: La evolución de las actitudes hacia el matrimonio, las relaciones y las familias. El mundo laboral: La vida laboral en España y las actitudes hacia el trabajo; las oportunidades de trabajo para los jóvenes; la igualdad de género. El impacto turístico en España: El impacto económico; las oportunidades que ofrece el turismo; el impacto socio-ambiental. |
Artistic culture in the Hispanic world: Students must study the sub-theme Spanish regional identity in relation to Spain. Students may study the remaining sub-themes in relation to any Spanish-speaking country or countries. Modern day idols (La influencia de los ídolos)
Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en España)
Cultural heritage (El patrimonio cultural)
Multiculturalism in Hispanic society: Students may study all sub-themes in relation to any Spanish-speaking country or countries. Immigration (La inmigración)
Racism (El racismo)
Integration (La convivencia)
Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world: Students must study Monarchies and dictatorships in relation to any relevant Spanish-speaking country or countries. Students may study the remaining sub-themes in relation to any Spanish speaking country or countries. Today’s youth, tomorrow’s citizens (Jóvenes de hoy, ciudadanos del mañana)
Monarchies and dictatorships (Monarquías y dictaduras)
Popular movements (Movimientos populares)
| Theme 2: La cultura política y artística en el mundo hispanohablante
Theme 2 is set in the context of Spanish-speaking countries and communities. This theme covers artistic culture (through music and festivals and traditions) and political and artistic culture (through media). La música: Los cambios y las tendencias; el impacto de la música en la cultura contemporánea. Los medios de comunicación: La televisión y las telenovelas: los medios de comunicación escritos y en internet; el impacto en la sociedad y la política. Los festivales y las tradiciones: Los festivales, las fiestas, las costumbres y las tradiciones. Theme 3: La inmigración y la sociedad multicultural española Theme 3 is set in the context of Spain only. This theme covers social issues and trends. El impacto positivo de la inmigración en la sociedad Española: Las aportaciones de los inmigrantes en la economía y la cultura. Enfrentando los desafíos de la inmigración y la integración en España: Las medidas adoptadas por las comunidades locales; la marginación y el aislamiento desde el punto de vista de los inmigrantes. La reacción social y pública hacia la inmigración en España: El enfoque político hacia la inmigración; la opinión pública. Theme 4: La dictadura franquista y la transición a la democracia Theme 4 is set in the context of Spain only. This theme covers political culture. La Guerra Civil y el ascenso de Franco (1936-1939) : La Guerra Civil y el ascenso de Franco, los republicanos contra los nacionalistas; las divisiones en la sociedad. La dictadura franquista: La vida cotidiana bajo la dictadura franquista: la opresión política, la censura, las divisiones en la sociedad. La transición de la dictadura a la democracia: El papel del Rey Juan Carlos en la transición; el Gobierno de Suárez; el golpe de Estado de 1981.
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