Specifications that use this resource:

Switching to AQA from Eduqas

To save you time and help you compare our GCSE German specification with the Eduqas 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

Listening paper

Foundation

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Foundation Paper 1 – Listening

Foundation Paper 2 – Listening

Written exam

Written exam

35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)

35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)

40 marks (25% of GCSE)

45 marks (25% of GCSE)

Section A, 32 marks:

Questions and answers in English or non-verbal

Section B, 8 marks:

Questions and answers in the target language or non-verbal

No sections to distinguish answers in English and answers in the target language.

At both tiers, the questions are in English to start with, followed by two target language questions, which are followed by more English questions.

Higher

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Higher Paper 1 – Listening

Higher Paper 2 – Listening

Written exam

Written exam

45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)

45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)

50 marks (25% of GCSE)

45 marks (25% of GCSE)

Section A, 40 marks:

Questions and answers in English or non-verbal

Section B, 10 marks:

Questions and answers in the target language or non-verbal

No sections to distinguish answers in English and answers in the target language.

At both tiers, the questions are in English to start with, followed by two target language questions, which are followed by more English questions.

Speaking paper

Foundation

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Foundation Paper 2 – Speaking

Foundation Paper 1 – Speaking

7–9 minutes (plus 12 minutes preparation time)

7–9 minutes (plus 12 minutes preparation time)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

  • Role play: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Photo card: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Conversation: 3–5 minutes (30 marks)
  • Role play: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Photo card: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Conversation: 3–5 minutes (30 marks)
 

Higher

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Higher Paper 2 – Speaking

Higher Paper 1 – Speaking

10–12 minutes (plus 12 minutes preparation time)

10-12 minutes (plus 12 minutes preparation time)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

  • Role play: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Photo card: 3 minutes (15 marks)
  • Conversation: 5-7 minutes (30   marks)
  • Role play: 2 minutes (15 marks)
  • Photo card: 3 minutes (15 marks)
  • Conversation: 5–7 minutes (30 marks)
 

Reading paper

Foundation

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Foundation Paper 3 – Reading

Foundation Paper 3 – Reading

45 minutes

1 hour

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

Section A, 33 marks:

Questions and answers in English or non-verbal

Section B, 18 marks:

Questions and answers in the target language or non-verbal

Section C, 9 marks:

Translation into English

No sections. At both tiers, the question paper starts in English, then changes to the target language, then back to English for the rest of the question paper.

The translations are at the end of the paper and carry 6 marks out of 60 at each tier.

Higher

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Higher Paper 3 – Reading

Higher Paper 3 – Reading

1 hour

1 hour 15 minutes

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

Section A, 33 marks:

Questions and answers in English or non-verbal

Section B, 18 marks:

Questions and answers in the target language or non-verbal

Section C, 9 marks:

Translation into English

No sections. At both tiers, the question paper starts in English, then changes to the target language, then back to English for the rest of the question paper. The translations are at the end of the paper and carry 6 marks out of 60 at each tier.

Writing paper

Foundation

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Foundation Paper 4 – Writing

Foundation Paper 4 – Writing

1 hour

1 hour 15 minutes

50 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

Tasks:

Question 1: Write four sentences to describe a photo (8 marks)

Question 2: Write 40 words approx in response to four short compulsory bullet points (16 marks)

Question 3: Translation of sentences of 35 words approx into the target language (10 marks)

Question 4: Write 90 words approx in response to four compulsory bullet points with a choice of two questions (16 marks)

Tasks:

Question 1: Write six sentences, eg fill in a form

Question 2: Write 60 words in response to three bullet points (16 marks)

Question 3: Write 90-120 words in response to three bullet points with no choice of question (20 marks)

Question 4: Translation of sentences of approx 35 words into the target language (12 marks)

Higher

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Higher Paper 4 – Writing

Higher Paper 4 – Writing

1 hour 15 minutes

1 hour 30 minutes

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

60 marks (25% of GCSE)

Tasks:

Question 1: Write 90 words approx in response to four compulsory bullet points with a choice of two questions (16 marks)

Question 2: Write 150 words approx in response to two compulsory bullet points with a choice of two questions (32 marks)

Question 3: Translation of a short passage of 50 words approx into the target language (12 marks)

Tasks:

Question 1: Write 90-120 words in response to three bullet points with no choice of question (20 marks)

Question 2: Write 150-180 words in response  to two bullet points, with a choice of two themes (28 marks)

Question 3: Translation of short passage of 50 words approx into the target language (12 marks)

Subject content

Core themes

AQA – GCSE German

Eduqas – GCSE German

Identity and culture

  • Me, my family and friends
  • Technology in everyday life
  • Free-time activities
  • Customs and festivals in German-speaking countries/communities

Identity and culture

  • Youth culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Customs and traditions

Local, national, international and global areas of interest

  • Home, town, neighbourhood and region
  • Social issues
  • Global issues
  • Travel and tourism

Local, national, international and global areas of interest

  • Home and locality
  • Germany and German-speaking countries
  • Global sustainability

Current and future study and employment

  • My studies
  • Life at school/college
  • Education post-16
  • Jobs, career choices and ambitions

Current and future study and employment

  • Current study
  • World of work
  • Jobs and future plans