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GCSE English Language exam dates 2027
| Specification | Paper 1: | Paper 2: |
|---|---|---|
| AQA 8700 | 1h 45m Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing | 1h 45m Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives |
| Edexcel 1EN0 | 1h 45m Fiction and Imaginative Writing | 2h 5m Non-fiction and Transactional Writing |
| Edexcel English Language 2.0 1EN2 | 1h 55m Non-Fiction Texts | 1h 55m Contemporary Texts |
| OCR J351 | 2h Communicating information and ideas | 2h Exploring effects and impact |
All papers start in the morning (9am). Dates from the boards' 2027 timetables.
GCSE English Language papers by board
Every paper has a reading section and a writing section. AQA and Edexcel use unseen texts: you meet the extracts for the first time in the exam.
| Paper | Reading | Writing | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1h 45m) | One literature fiction text (40 marks) | Descriptive or narrative writing (40 marks) | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (1h 45m) | One non-fiction and one literary non-fiction text (40 marks) | Writing to present a viewpoint (40 marks) | 80 | 50% |
Source: GCSE English Language (8700) specification, version 1.6 (March 2026)
| Paper | Reading | Writing | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing (1h 45m) | An unseen 19th-century fiction extract | A choice of two writing tasks linked by theme | 64 | 40% |
| Paper 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing (2h 5m) | Two thematically linked unseen non-fiction extracts | A choice of two writing tasks linked by theme | 96 | 60% |
Source: Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) English Language (1EN0) specification, Issue 6
| Paper | Reading | Writing | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Non-Fiction Texts (1h 55m) | Two thematically linked unseen non-fiction extracts | A choice of two writing tasks | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Contemporary Texts (1h 55m) | Two thematically linked unseen fiction and literary non-fiction extracts | A choice of two writing tasks | 80 | 50% |
Source: Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) English Language 2.0 (1EN2) specification, Issue 3
| Paper | Reading | Writing | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Communicating information and ideas (2h) | Read and compare non-fiction texts (40 marks) | One original piece of non-fiction (40 marks) | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 2: Exploring effects and impact (2h) | Read and compare literary prose texts (40 marks) | One original piece of creative writing (40 marks) | 80 | 50% |
Source: GCSE (9-1) English Language J351: specification at a glance
Note that Edexcel 1EN0 is weighted 40/60: Paper 2 is longer and worth more. The other specifications split 50/50.
What is the spoken language endorsement?
Every GCSE English Language student does a spoken language assessment: a prepared presentation, followed by questions and feedback, using spoken Standard English. Your teacher assesses it during the course.
- It's graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, or Not Classified if the Pass standard isn't met (AQA).
- It's reported as part of the qualification but doesn't count towards your 9 to 1 grade.
- It's compulsory: Pearson notes that private candidates need a centre willing to supervise it, and describes it as a 10-minute presentation with questions and answers (Pearson).
AQA English Language: what changed from summer 2026
AQA updated some questions for exams from summer 2026 onwards. The structure hasn't changed: the same number of questions, with the same marks and assessment objectives.
- Paper 1, Question 1 is now multiple choice (shade a circle).
- Paper 1, Question 3 focuses on a single effect, for example how the writer structures the text to create suspense.
- Paper 1, Question 4 no longer refers to a "student" making the statement; you can agree and/or disagree.
- Paper 1, Question 5 reminds you that you don't have to describe the exact picture, and the narrative option lets you write an opening rather than a whole story.
- Paper 2, Questions 2 and 4 have clearer wording.
So AQA papers from before 2026 are still good practice, but questions on the 2027 paper may be worded differently. Your teacher can share AQA's new sample papers.
Grades, boundaries and resits
Results come out on Thursday 19 August 2027. Boundaries change every year: in AQA's June 2026 exams, a grade 4 needed 75/160 and a grade 9 needed 122/160. See GCSE grade boundaries explained.
A grade 4 matters: in England, students who don't get a 4 in English keep studying it after 16 (more on grades).
November resits: English Language can also be taken in November. Pearson says the November series is a resit opportunity for students who were at least 16 on 31 August of that year (Pearson).
Questions people ask
When are the GCSE English Language exams in 2027?
Monday 24 May 2027 and Tuesday 8 June 2027, both in the morning (9am start). AQA, Pearson Edexcel (both specifications) and OCR sit Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the same days.
How long are the GCSE English Language papers?
It depends on the board. AQA: two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes. Edexcel 1EN0: 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 5 minutes. Edexcel English Language 2.0: two papers of 1 hour 55 minutes. OCR: two papers of 2 hours.
Are both GCSE English Language papers worth the same?
For AQA, Edexcel English Language 2.0 and OCR, yes: 50% each. For Edexcel 1EN0, no: Paper 1 is worth 40% (64 marks) and Paper 2 60% (96 marks).
Is GCSE English Language tiered?
No. Everyone sits the same papers, and grades run from 9 to 1.
Does the spoken language endorsement count towards my grade?
No. It is a compulsory, teacher-assessed presentation, graded separately as Pass, Merit or Distinction (or Not Classified). It is reported as part of the qualification but does not affect your 9 to 1 grade.
What changed in AQA GCSE English Language in 2026?
AQA reworded some questions from summer 2026, but did not change the structure: the same number of questions, marks and assessment objectives. Paper 1 Question 1 is now multiple choice, Question 3 focuses on a single effect, and Question 5 lets you write an opening rather than a whole narrative.
What is the difference between Edexcel English Language and English Language 2.0?
They are two Pearson Edexcel specifications: 1EN0 and 1EN2. Pearson says 2.0, first certificated in 2022, uses contemporary texts and modern themes and has the same status for further study, funding and performance measures. Your school chooses which one you take.
What do you need for a grade 4 in GCSE English Language?
It changes every year. In AQA's June 2026 exams, a grade 4 needed 75 out of 160 (about 47%). The 2027 boundaries will be different.