At a glance
- Cambridge code
- 9695 (four 2-hour papers)
- Edexcel IAL units
- WET01 to WET04
- AQA code
- 7712 (Literature A)
- AQA coursework
- 2,500 words, 20%
- Grades
- A* to E
Cambridge International 9695 Literature in English
From the 9695 syllabus for exams in 2027 and 2028. Papers 1 and 2 are the AS Level.
| Paper | What students answer | Length and marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Drama and Poetry | One drama question and one poetry question on set texts | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of A Level (50% of AS) |
| Paper 2 Prose and Unseen | One prose set-text question and one unseen text | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of A Level (50% of AS) |
| Paper 3 Shakespeare and Drama | One Shakespeare question and one drama question | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of A Level |
| Paper 4 Pre- and Post-1900 Poetry and Prose | One pre-1900 and one post-1900 question, covering poetry and prose | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of A Level |
Set texts rotate by exam year. 2027 texts include The Tempest and The Rover (Paper 1), The Underground Railroad (Paper 2), Henry IV Part 1 and Our Country's Good (Paper 3), and Middlemarch and The Overstory (Paper 4). Check the full list for your child's exam year.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level English Literature
From the IAL English Literature specification, Issue 7 (February 2026). All units are open book.
| Unit | What students answer | Length and marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| WET01 Unit 1: Post-2000 Poetry and Prose | Comparative essay on Poems of the Decade, plus an essay on a post-2000 novel | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of IAL (50% of IAS) |
| WET02 Unit 2: Drama | One pre-1900 and one post-1900 play | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of IAL (50% of IAS) |
| WET03 Unit 3: Poetry and Prose | Unseen post-1900 poem (20 marks) and a comparative essay on two novels on a theme (30 marks) | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of IAL |
| WET04 Unit 4: Shakespeare and Pre-1900 Poetry | Shakespeare play and pre-1900 poetry | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% of IAL |
Units are available in January and June. Pearson also offers paper-based or onscreen versions of the units.
AQA A-level English Literature A 7712
| Component | What students answer | Length and marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Love through the ages | Shakespeare passage and essay, two unseen poems compared, and an essay linking two texts | 3 hours, 75 marks (open book in Section C only) | 40% |
| Paper 2: Texts in shared contexts | WW1 and its aftermath, or Modern times (1945 to the present), including an unseen prose extract | 2 hours 30 minutes, 75 marks (open book) | 40% |
| Non-exam assessment | Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one pre-1900 | 2,500-word essay, 50 marks | 20% |
The coursework essay is marked by the school and moderated by AQA. Exams are sat together in one May/June series.
What separates the top bands
Students who read well still lose marks for three reasons. First, they retell the plot instead of analysing how the writer creates meaning: the top bands reward close comment on language, form and structure, tied to the question. Second, they write about context as a block of history rather than using it to explain a reading. Third, their essays lack a line of argument: each paragraph is fine on its own, but the essay never answers the question as set.
Unseen questions, which appear in all three courses, add pressure because there is no preparation for the specific text. Students need a method for reading a poem or extract in a few minutes and turning observations into an argument. Comparative questions (Edexcel Unit 1 and Unit 3, AQA Paper 1 and the coursework) add another layer: the comparison must run through the essay, not sit at the end.
How one-to-one Literature lessons work
Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, in LiveTutor's online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard, where tutor and student annotate passages together. The tutor works on your child's set texts for their board and exam year, and focuses on essay writing: planning a thesis in the first five minutes, building paragraphs that analyse rather than describe, and using critical and contextual material to support an argument.
Between lessons, your child writes timed paragraphs or full essays that the tutor marks against the board's assessment objectives, with comments on what would move the essay up a band. For AQA students, the tutor can help with planning and reading for the coursework essay, within the rules on independent work that the school applies. Arabic-speaking tutors are available for some subjects; ask when you book.
When to start
- During the first set text in Year 12, when essay habits form.
- Before AS exams (Cambridge Papers 1 and 2, or Edexcel Units 1 and 2) for timed practice.
- When the AQA coursework texts are chosen, to plan reading and a question.
- In the final term, for timed essays across all set texts and unseen practice.
Common questions
Which set texts will my child study?
It depends on the board, the exam year and the school's choices. Cambridge publishes separate set-text lists for each exam year; Edexcel and AQA offer a choice of texts within each unit or component. Ask the school for the exact list.
Is A-Level English Literature useful for non-English degrees?
Yes. It builds analysis and essay writing that suit law, history, politics and many humanities courses. Check each university's subject requirements for the course your child wants.
My child's English is strong but grades are stuck at a B. What helps?
Usually it is essay structure and analysis, not reading. A tutor marking full essays against the assessment objectives can show exactly which skills are missing from the top band.
How much do English Literature lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same rate for every subject, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial, and you can switch tutor and keep your paid lessons.
Can a tutor write or edit my child's coursework?
No. Coursework must be the student's own work under the board's rules. A tutor can teach the texts, discuss ideas and give general feedback on writing skills in line with the school's guidance.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.