What the exam asks
In AQA 8700, both papers are 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 80 marks. The same core habits also help on Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas and other boards: read the question carefully, answer the exact task, and spend time in proportion to marks.
For this topic, you need to do four things consistently:
- Follow a time plan so Section B is never rushed.
- Annotate the question before writing.
- Match answer length to marks.
- Keep 5 minutes to proofread writing.
Core ideas
1) Use marks to control your minutes
A safe rule is:
For AQA, use the marks as your base, then add a few minutes for reading and question annotation.
| Paper | Section A plan | Section B plan | Final check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 mins | 50 mins | 5 mins |
| Paper 2 | 50 mins | 50 mins | 5 mins |
A practical AQA split:
| Task | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| First read / skim sources and annotate questions | 5 mins |
| Paper 1 Q1 | 4 mins |
| Paper 1 Q2 | 8 mins |
| Paper 1 Q3 | 8 mins |
| Paper 1 Q4 | 20 mins |
| Small buffer in Section A | 5 mins |
| Writing choice + plan | 5 mins |
| Write main response | 40 mins |
| Proofread | 5 mins |
For Paper 2, the same pattern works:
| Task | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Skim both sources and annotate questions | 5 mins |
| Q1 | 4 mins |
| Q2 | 8 mins |
| Q3 | 12 mins |
| Q4 | 16 mins |
| Small buffer in Section A | 5 mins |
| Writing plan | 5 mins |
| Write main response | 40 mins |
| Proofread | 5 mins |
2) Annotate every question before answering
Train yourself to mark the question in the same way every time:
- Box the command word: list, summarise, analyse, evaluate, compare.
- Underline the focus: feelings, setting, differences, perspectives, methods.
- Circle the line references: for example, lines 12–18.
- Note the marks in the margin.
A quick decoding table:
| Command word | What it really wants | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| List / Select | Short points only | Explain at length |
| Summarise | Main similarities/differences, supported by brief evidence | Analyse language |
| Analyse | Writer’s methods + effect on reader | Retell content |
| Evaluate | Clear judgement + methods + evidence | Just agree vaguely |
| Compare | Both texts throughout | Write one text then the other |
3) Treat line references as boundaries
If a question says lines 1–8, stay in lines 1–8. Marks are lost when students use the wrong section of the source, even if the point is good.
4) Match response size to mark value
Not every question needs a mini-essay.
| Marks | Suitable response |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4 brief points or choices |
| 8 | 2–3 developed paragraphs or 4 concise points, depending on the task |
| 12 | 3 focused analytical paragraphs |
| 16 | 4 comparison paragraphs with both texts linked |
| 20 | Sustained evaluation with a clear line of argument |
| 40 | Full, crafted piece with planning and proofreading |
A good test is this: does the depth of my answer feel worth the marks?
5) Protect the 40-mark writing task
The biggest timing error is spending too long on reading, then producing half a writing response. A complete, controlled piece usually scores far better than an unfinished one with a strong opening.
Use this writing routine:
- 5 mins plan: audience, purpose, tone, structure.
- 40 mins write: keep moving.
- 5 mins proofread: capitals, full stops, commas, verb tense, paragraphing, spelling.
Worked examples
Exam technique
- Read the question before the source in detail so you know what to hunt for.
- Use the command word as your filter: if it says summarise, do not drift into language analysis.
- Write the number of minutes beside each question at the start.
- Move on when time is up. A nearly finished 20-mark answer can destroy a 40-mark writing task.
- For comparison questions, pair ideas across texts: Both writers present... however...
- For evaluation, decide your judgement first: agree mostly, partly or not much at all.
- For writing, leave lines between paragraphs only if it helps clarity; do not waste space with huge handwriting or overlong openings.
A quick recognition guide:
| If you see... | Think... |
|---|---|
| List four... | 4 short points |
| Choose four true statements | Read carefully; eliminate false ones |
| Write a summary | Content comparison only |
| How does the writer use language... | Zoom in on words and effects |
| How has the writer structured... | Whole-text movement and shifts |
| To what extent do you agree? | Judgement + evidence + methods |
| Compare how the writers... | Both texts, linked throughout |
Common mistakes
Quick recap
- Use marks as minutes, with a small extra allowance for reading and annotating.
- Box the command word, underline the focus, and circle the line references.
- Stay inside the named lines unless the question clearly asks about the whole text.
- Match answer size to marks: short for 4, sustained for 16–20, full piece for 40.
- In summary questions, compare ideas; in analysis questions, explain methods and effects.
- Protect at least 45 minutes of real writing time across AQA-style papers.
- Always keep 5 minutes to proofread.