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2026 AQA GCSE English Language Predictions
Skills, Revision & Self-Care 🌟
Jen - Primrose Kitten
February 04, 2026
Whether you are aiming for a pass or shooting for that Grade 9, we are here to support you every step of the way. 💖
🧠 It’s a Skills Game (The Truth About English Language)
Unlike English Literature, where you need to remember quotes from Macbeth or context about Dickens, AQA GCSE English Language is a skills-based exam.
What does this mean for you? It means the style of questions remains very consistent every single year. The text inserts will change, but the skills the examiners are testing (analysing language, comparing viewpoints, writing creatively) stay the same.
🚫 The "Internet Story" Trap
We need to give you a bit of tough love here! 🛑 Please do not fall into the trap of memorising a "perfect" story you found on TikTok or a revision forum to regurgitate in the exam.
Examiners are smart. They mark thousands of scripts, and they can spot a pre-memorised, "copied-and-pasted" story from a mile away. Often, these stories don't fit the specific prompt given on the day, capping your marks significantly. Trust your own imagination and the skills you’ve built up! ✍️
💆♀️ Revision vs. Self-Care: Finding the Balance
Your mental health is just as important as your grades. Actually, it’s more important! 🌈 It is completely normal to feel pressure, but remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Take Breaks: Your brain needs rest to process information. 💤
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water while revising. 💧
Talk About It: If you are feeling overwhelmed, chat with a friend, parent, or teacher.
Success is about balance. Work hard, but be kind to yourself. You’ve got this! 💪
🚀 Supercharge Your Revision with Primrose Kitten
Ready to get some solid practice in? We have everything you need to feel confident walking into that exam hall.
👩🏫 Your "Personal Tutor" Course
In our course, we go through the specific skills needed for each question that will appear in the exam. We break it down step-by-step so you know exactly what is expected of you. It is essentially like having an examiner as a free personal tutor, guiding you through the paper! 🎓
🔮 Predicted Papers
One of the best ways to prepare is by sitting mock exams. Our predicted papers are designed to mimic the real thing, helping you get used to the timing and format.
Curious about our process? Read How do we write our Predicted Papers? to see the research behind them. 🕵️♀️
Wondering if they work? Check out our blog post on How Accurate Are Predicted Papers?.
📹 Free Video Walkthroughs
When you download our AQA GCSE English predicted papers, you don’t just get a PDF. We include free video walkthroughs! 🎥 In these videos, we show you exactly how to interpret the questions and, crucially, how to layout your answers so the examiner can easily award you marks.
📝 Unlimited Free Notes
Don't forget to utilise our unlimited free revision notes These are perfect for quick revision sessions on the bus or before bed!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don't just take our word for it—our revision resources have over 1,000 5-star reviews from students just like you! See what they have to say on our Happy Customers page.
📝 AQA GCSE English Language (8700): Exam Structure
To help you organise your revision, here is the breakdown of exactly what you will face in the 2026 exams. Familiarising yourself with this structure is half the battle!
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Focus: Fiction / Creative Writing
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks: 80 marks (50% of GCSE)
Section A: Reading (40 marks) You will be given one literary fiction text.
Section B: Writing (40 marks)
Q5: Descriptive or Narrative writing (40 marks). usually a choice between a picture prompt or a written prompt.
24 marks for content/organisation
16 marks for technical accuracy (SPaG)