AQA GCSE English Language 2026 Exam Changes

This blog is going to look at WHY AQA made changes to their exam papers, so that you can understand:

• What this means for your child

• The benefits for your child

• How you can support your child with these changes

This blog will also outline the changes, so that you and your child know what to expect.

Why did AQA make the changes?

AQA made changes to the wording of the questions in Language Papers 1 and 2 in order to:

• Allow students to understand what the examiners are expecting of them

• Know what techniques and skills they need to use in order to answer the questions

• Understand what the question is asking them

What changes have been made?

Language Paper 1

Question 1

Question 1 will be multiple choice rather than asking students to select 4 points.

Benefit to students:

Question 3

Question 3 now focuses on a single effect, for example, ‘How has the writer structured the text to create suspense’ etc rather than asking the general question: ‘How has the writer structured the text to interest the reader?’

Benefit to students:

It encourages students to think carefully about the techniques and their purpose. It also helps students to be
specific with their answers.

Question 4

Question 4 has removed the reference to a ‘student’ making a statement, and there has also been a change to the wording of the second bullet point referring to methods.

Benefit to students:

The statement is clearer for students to understand and follow, so they can engage with it. By focusing on the methods, it helps students to clearly know what they are meant to look at.

Question 5

Question 5 prompt reminds students they can use their imaginations and do not have to describe the exact picture.

Benefit to students:

Students don’t feel limited by the image. They also can take the description in any direction so they are better able to describe rather than listing or slipping into a narrative.

Question 5 narrative option now offers students the option to write an ‘opening’, rather than a whole narrative.

Benefit to students:

✅ 1. Encourages Stronger Crafting of Narrative Techniques

Writing a full narrative under timed conditions often leads to rushed plots and underdeveloped characters. By focusing on an opening, students can:

• Develop atmosphere, character, and setting more effectively.

• Showcase high-level skills like foreshadowing, tone, and detailed description without rushing to a conclusion.

✅ 2. Reduces Time Pressure

Students often feel pressured to “finish” a story, which can lead to:

• Weak endings.

• Poor editing.

• Now, they can invest more time in planning, vocabulary choices, and sentence control.

✅ 3. Aligns Better with Real-World Writing Expectations

In real creative writing (novels, films, etc.), openings are often workshopped and refined. This shift reflects how writers build engagement:

• Hook the reader.

• Establish compelling scenarios.

• It rewards writers for beginnings that invite interest and tension

✅ 4. Levels the Playing Field

Stronger writers previously had an advantage in pacing and completing a full story. Now:

• All students can succeed by focusing on a smaller, more manageable section of narrative writing.

• This supports differentiation and fairer assessment.

✅ 5. Allows Teachers to Focus Instruction More Effectively

Teachers can concentrate on helping students master:

• Openings that create intrigue.

• Stylistic and structural devices.

• Rather than trying to cram in full-structure narrative skills in limited class time.

Language Paper 2

Question 2

Question 2 has been reworded to improve clarity so that students know they have to infer.

Benefit to students:

Students know what skills are being tested; therefore, they know what to look for and what to include in their answers.

Question 4

Question 4 has a change to the wording of the bullet point referring to methods.

Benefit to students:

Students know what specific methods to look for, allowing them to select relevant quotations to analyse.

Summary of changes

🛒 Ready to Feel More Prepared?

Explore our digital resource library — designed to help students succeed under the new AQA exam structure.

Inside you’ll find:

✅ Step-by-step guides

✅ Model answers for key questions

✅ Updated-style exam practice materials

👉 Click here to browse our GCSE English store