AQA GCSE exam guide
AQA sets GCSEs in England in most subjects. This guide sets out the AQA exams in maths, English Language, English Literature and combined science.
The specifications at a glance
| Subject | Code | Papers | Tiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maths | 8300 | 3 papers | Foundation (grades 1 to 5) or Higher (grades 4 to 9) |
| English Language | 8700 | 2 papers | No tiers |
| English Literature | 8702 | 2 papers | No tiers |
| Combined Science | 8464 | 6 papers | Foundation or Higher |
Maths (8300)
| Paper | Time | Marks | Share of the grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (no calculator) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 2 (calculator) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 3 (calculator) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 33⅓% |
Tiers: Foundation (grades 1 to 5) or Higher (grades 4 to 9).
English Language (8700)
| Paper | Time | Marks | Share of the grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing | 1 hour 45 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives | 1 hour 45 minutes | 80 | 50% |
There are no tiers: every student sits the same papers. Spoken Language is assessed by the teacher and reported separately.
More on English Language with AQA, and the topics to practise
English Literature (8702)
| Paper | Time | Marks | Share of the grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel | 1 hour 45 minutes | 64 | 40% |
| Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry | 2 hours 15 minutes | 96 | 60% |
There are no tiers: every student sits the same papers. Closed book: students may not take the texts into the exam.
More on English Literature with AQA, and the topics to practise
Combined Science (8464)
| Paper | Time | Marks | Share of the grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology 1 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
| Biology 2 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
| Chemistry 1 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
| Chemistry 2 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
| Physics 1 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
| Physics 2 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 | 16.7% |
Tiers: Foundation or Higher. Worth two GCSEs, graded on a double scale such as 6–5.
More on Combined Science with AQA, and the topics to practise
How AQA compares with other boards
The topics are the same at every board, because the Department for Education sets the subject content. The papers are what differ. Compare AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas side by side.
Practising for AQA exams
Questions on Oakling Secondary Scholars are written in the style of AQA papers. Because the subject content is shared, practising a topic helps for AQA and the other boards. For practice on the exact paper format, use the past papers on the AQA website. See the practice topics.
Common questions
- How many papers are there in AQA GCSE maths?
- Three, each 1 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks. Paper 1 is without a calculator and papers 2 and 3 allow one.
- How long are the AQA English Language papers?
- Both papers last 1 hour 45 minutes and are worth 80 marks, and each counts for half of the grade.
- How many exams are there in AQA Combined Science: Trilogy?
- Six, two each in biology, chemistry and physics. Each lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 70 marks.
- Are the questions on this site AQA questions?
- No. They are original questions written for this site in the style of GCSE papers. We are not connected with AQA.
Where these details come from
Each board’s own specification for the subject, checked on 22 October 2026. Boards update their specifications, so check the current one before an exam.
- AQA GCSE Mathematics (8300)
- AQA GCSE English Language (8700)
- AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
- AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)
Exam details change. Always check the current specification on the AQA website. Oakling Secondary Scholars is not connected with AQA.