AS English Language₇₇₀₁

Find past papers and mark schemes, and specimen papers for new courses, on our website at aqa.org.uk/pastpapers

This specification is designed to be taken over one or two years, with all assessments taken at the end of the course.

AS exams and certification for this specification are available for the first time in May/June 2016 and then every May/June for the life of the specification.

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all exams in May/June in a single year. All assessments must be taken in the same series.

Our AS and A-level exams in English include questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:

• draw together their knowledge, skills and understanding from across the full course of study
• provide extended responses.

All AS and A-level components offer only extended response questions.

All materials are available in English only.

4.1 Aims

• develop and apply their understanding of the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language
• explore data and examples of language in use
• engage creatively and critically with a varied programme for the study of English
• develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language.

4.2 Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all AS English Language specifications and all exam boards.

The exams will measure to what extent students have achieved the following assessment objectives.

• AO1: Apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology and coherent written expression.
• AO2: Demonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use.
• AO3: Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning.
• AO4: Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods.
• AO5: Demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways.

Weighting of assessment objectives for AS English Language

4.3 Assessment weightings

The marks awarded on the papers will be scaled to meet the weighting of the components. Students’ final marks will be calculated by adding together the scaled marks for each component. Grade boundaries will be set using this total scaled mark. The scaling and total scaled marks are shown in the table below.