Changes for 2022
Because of the ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there are some changes to how GCSE English Literature will be assessed in 2022.
These changes apply to 2022 only.
What you need to know
- Choice of subject content
- Changes to exam structure
- Total marks and total exam time reduced
- No advance information on exams
Choice of subject content
For 2022, we're reducing the required subject content by giving more options.
All students will be assessed on a Shakespeare play.
Schools and colleges can then choose two of the following three areas:
- Anthology of poetry
- Modern text
- 19th-century novel.
Changes to exam structure
Because of the new options, we've updated how the two exam papers will be structured.
Paper 1 (choose any two) | Paper 2 (compulsory) |
|---|---|
Paper 1P | Section A |
Paper 1N | Section B |
Paper 1M |
Total mark allocation reduced
We’re reducing the total exam marks available from 160 to 130.
Total exam time reduced
We’re reducing the total exam time for GCSE English Literature from 4 hours to 3 hours and 25 minutes.
This is because students will only answer two of the three areas explained above.
For Paper 1, students will sit two 50 minute papers. For Paper 2, students will sit one paper of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
No advance information on exams
There will be no advance information on what exams will cover for GCSE English Literature.
Help and support
If you require further guidance please contact us.
