AQA GCSE English Literature past papers
AQA has published 18 question papers for English Literature (8702) from 2020 to 2025, each with its mark scheme. They are listed newest first, and each one opens the PDF on aqa.org.uk in a new tab. The grade boundaries for 8 series are on their own page, in our own tables. The specification (8702) is linked below as well.
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June 2025
2 papers · grade boundaries
- Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelQuestion paper for June 2025 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2025 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelMark scheme for June 2025 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2025 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryQuestion paper for June 2025 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2025 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryMark scheme for June 2025 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2025 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Grade boundariesGrade boundaries for June 2025
June 2024
2 papers · grade boundaries
- Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelQuestion paper for June 2024 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2024 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelMark scheme for June 2024 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2024 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryQuestion paper for June 2024 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2024 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryMark scheme for June 2024 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2024 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Grade boundariesGrade boundaries for June 2024
June 2023
2 papers · grade boundaries
- Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelQuestion paper for June 2023 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2023 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelMark scheme for June 2023 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2023 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryQuestion paper for June 2023 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2023 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryMark scheme for June 2023 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2023 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Grade boundariesGrade boundaries for June 2023
June 2022
4 papers · grade boundaries
- Paper 1M Modern prose and dramaQuestion paper for June 2022 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2022 Paper 1M Modern prose and dramaMark scheme for June 2022 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2022 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 1N The 19th-century novelQuestion paper for June 2022 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2022 Paper 1N The 19th-century novelMark scheme for June 2022 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2022 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 1P Poetry anthologyQuestion paper for June 2022 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2022 Paper 1P Poetry anthologyMark scheme for June 2022 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2022 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetryQuestion paper for June 2022 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: June 2022 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetryMark scheme for June 2022 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for June 2022 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Grade boundariesGrade boundaries for June 2022
November 2021
4 papers
- Paper 1M Modern prose and dramaQuestion paper for November 2021 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2021 Paper 1M Modern prose and dramaMark scheme for November 2021 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2021 Paper 1M Modern prose and drama (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 1N The 19th-century novelQuestion paper for November 2021 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2021 Paper 1N The 19th-century novelMark scheme for November 2021 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2021 Paper 1N The 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 1P Poetry anthologyQuestion paper for November 2021 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2021 Paper 1P Poetry anthologyMark scheme for November 2021 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2021 Paper 1P Poetry anthology (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetryQuestion paper for November 2021 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2021 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetryMark scheme for November 2021 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2021 Paper 2 Shakespeare and unseen poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
November 2020
2 papers
- Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelQuestion paper for November 2020 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2020 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelMark scheme for November 2020 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2020 Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryQuestion paper for November 2020 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: November 2020 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryMark scheme for November 2020 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Examiner report for November 2020 Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
Specimen
2 papers
- Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelQuestion paper for Specimen Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: Specimen Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novelMark scheme for Specimen Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryQuestion paper for Specimen Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: Specimen Paper 2 Modern texts and poetryMark scheme for Specimen Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (PDF on filestore.aqa.org.uk, opens in a new tab)
Common questions
Where can I find English Literature past papers from AQA?
This page links every English Literature paper AQA publishes for everyone to download, newest first, starting with June 2025. Each link opens the PDF on AQA's own website. The most recent series is usually released a year or so after the exam, and it will appear here once AQA makes it public.
Are there mark schemes for these English Literature papers?
Yes, every question paper here has a mark scheme, and 16 have an examiner report as well, which is worth reading for the mistakes that cost the most marks.
What were the English Literature grade boundaries in June 2026?
In June 2026, a grade 7 needed 113 out of 160 and a grade 4 needed 66. The grade boundaries for every series from June 2017 to June 2026 are on this course's grade boundaries page, and each series of papers here links to its own year's table, so you can mark a paper and read your grade.
Where is the English Literature specification?
It is linked at the top of this page: AQA's own English Literature specification (8702), a PDF on its website, which sets out what you can be examined on and how the exams are marked. According to AQA's grade boundaries for June 2026, the course is examined in 2 papers, worth 160 marks in all.
How can I practise more English Literature questions?
Once you have worked through the papers, cookie has a practice deck for this course with fresh questions based on the specification and past papers, feedback on what you write, and spaced repetition.
Can I get help with English Literature?
Cookie Tutoring may have tutors for English Literature. The Find a tutor link keeps the subject and qualification filters from this page, so you can check the marketplace without assuming that a suitable tutor is available.
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cookie is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam board. Every paper here is a link to the board's own copy on its own website, and the papers belong to the boards that set them. If a link has stopped working, the board's own past paper page is linked on each course. The grade boundaries are copied from the boards’ own published documents, each linked under its table.