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GCSE English Literature Exam
GCSE English Literature Exam
Book your GCSE English Literature exam for November 2026, or May 2027 with Pass GCSE. Whether it's your first attempt at the exam or a GCSE English Literature resit, Pass GCSE are here to help you.
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Ofqual-Regulated GCSE English Literature Exam - Available to all external candidates, resit learners, and adult learners. Please note that November exams are only available for Edexcel IGCSE (for learners aged 16+).
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Lowest Cost, No Hidden Fees - We aim to ensure the GCSE exams we offer are priced competitively for the service provided, with transparent pricing and no hidden charges.
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Fast-Track GCSE English Literature Qualification - Achieve your qualification in under 12 months.
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Late fee pricing now applies - Get your place secured ASAP before exam centre spaces run out!
Now available online.
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
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How does the GCSE English Literature exam process work?
Looking for guidance on booking your GCSE English Literature resit exam, or unsure where to begin? At Pass GCSE, we keep the process straightforward. Whether you’re uncertain which qualification you need, what the resit involves, or how to book, our supportive team is on hand to help.
GCSE English Literature resit exams take place in the summer each year, and you’ll sit your exam at a local exam centre. The exam is open to external candidates aged 16 and over, and we’ll manage all of the exam arrangements for you.
Get in touch and one of our GCSE exam advisors will go through your options and help you feel confident about retaking GCSE English Literature.
Secure your exam place
Choose your GCSE English Literature exam options above, then proceed to checkout to confirm your booking.
We take care of the arrangements
The Pass GCSE exams team will contact you with next steps and guidance and will organise your booking at a nearby exam centre.
Attend your exam
We’ll provide full confirmation of the exam date, time, location, and venue details for your GCSE English Literature exam, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
Get your results
Your exam centre will release your results, confirming the grade you have achieved.
Move on to your next goal
Progress to college, university, an apprenticeship, or take the next step in your career.
Ofqual-Regulated GCSE English Literature Exam
This GCSE English Literature exam is available across AQA, Edexcel, and Edexcel IGCSE specifications and is regulated by Ofqual, meaning it is a fully recognised qualification equivalent to those taken in schools and colleges. It is suitable for private candidates and adult learners.
Lowest Cost, No Hidden Fees
We aim to keep GCSE English Literature exam fees as competitive as possible for the service provided, with clear, upfront pricing that covers everything you need, including the exam, invigilation, and official certification.
Fast-Track GCSE English Literature Qualification
Prepare for and complete your GCSE English Literature exam in less time than traditional school or college routes. Many learners achieve their qualification within 12 months, with some completing it in as little as 6 months.
1 Secure your exam place
Select your preferred exam board above for your GCSE English Literature exam, then complete your booking by following the checkout process.
GCSE English Literature Details
Ofqual-regulated GCSE English Literature exams available across AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE specifications.
Recognised across the UK as official GCSE qualifications, equivalent to those taken in schools and colleges.
2 We take care of the arrangements
The Pass GCSE exams team will contact you by phone or email with further support and will manage the entire booking process, including securing your place at a local exam centre.
The booking process was easy
The booking process was easy, and the team were extremely helpful, walking me through each step and making it simple to find an exam centre close to me. They also provided a lot of useful resources and were always willing to help, which made the whole experience incredibly useful and reassuring.
3 Attend your exam
Before your exam, we’ll provide full details of your GCSE English Literature exam, including the exam time, venue, and what you’ll need to bring on the day, so you can feel fully prepared. We recommend reviewing the exam regulations in advance to avoid any issues on the day. You’ll sit the exam in person at your allocated exam centre, alongside other candidates across the UK.
Exam Information
Exam taken in person at a local exam centre.
GCSE English Literature exam dates are listed further down this page.
4 Get your results
GCSE results are released once a year on a national results day, which usually takes place on the third Thursday in August. On this day, grades are issued across all subjects and exam boards.
As you’ll be sitting GCSE English Literature as a private candidate, your results will typically be provided directly by your exam centre on this date. It’s important to check how your centre issues results in advance, as some require collection in person, while others send results by email or post.
5 Move on to your next goal
Progress onto college, university, an apprenticeship, or take the next step in your career with your GCSE English Literature qualification.
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GCSE English Literature Exam Information - AQA (8702)
Paper 1 - Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Topics
- Shakespeare plays
- The 19th-century novel
Format
Section A - Shakespeare: Students answer one question on their play of choice. They write in detail about an extract and then write about the play as a whole.
Section B - The 19th-century novel: Students answer one question on their novel of choice. They write in detail about an extract and then write about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2 - Modern texts and poetry
Topics
- Modern prose or drama texts
- The poetry anthology
- Unseen poetry
Format
Section A - Modern texts: Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
Section B - Poetry: Students answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
Section C - Unseen poetry: Students answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
GCSE English Literature Exam Information - Edexcel (1ET0)
Paper 1 - Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature
Topics
- Shakespeare play
- Post-1914 British play or novel
Format
Section A - Shakespeare: A two-part question based on an extract from the play and the exploration of a theme elsewhere in the text.
Section B - Post-1914 text: One essay question on the studied modern play or novel.
This is a closed-book exam, meaning texts are not allowed in the examination.
Paper 2 - 19th-century Novel and Poetry since 1789
Topics
- 19th-century novel
- Poetry from the Pearson Poetry Anthology
- Unseen poetry
Format
Section A - 19th-century novel: A two-part question based on an extract and the text as a whole.
Section B - Poetry: One question comparing a named poem from the anthology with another poem from the same collection.
Section C - Unseen poetry: One question analysing an unseen poem and one comparing it with a second unseen poem.
This is a closed-book exam, meaning texts are not allowed in the examination.
GCSE English Literature Exam Information - Edexcel IGCSE (4ET1)
Paper 1 - Poetry and Modern Prose
Topics
- Unseen poetry
- Poetry from the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology
- Modern prose text
Format
Section A - Unseen Poetry: One essay question analysing an unseen poem.
Section B - Anthology Poetry: One comparative essay question on two poems from the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.
Section C - Modern Prose: One essay question from a choice of two on the studied prose text.
This is a closed-book examination. Texts are not allowed in the exam, although anthology poems will be provided.
Paper 2 - Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts
Topics
- Modern drama text
- Literary heritage text (e.g. Shakespeare or classic novel)
Format
Section A - Modern Drama: One essay question from a choice of two on the studied modern drama text.
Section B - Literary Heritage Text: One essay question from a choice of two on the studied literary heritage text.
This is an open-book examination. Prescribed editions of set texts may be taken into the exam but must not contain annotations.
GCSE English Literature Exam Dates (AQA, Edexcel & IGCSE)
Summer 2027
| Date & Time | AQA & Edexcel Duration | Edexcel IGCE Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Wednesday 12th May - Morning | 1h 45m | 2h |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Wednesday 19th May - Morning | 2h 15m | 1h 30m |
GCSE English Literature Exam Dates (AQA, Edexcel & IGCSE)
Summer 2026
| Date & Time | AQA & Edexcel Duration | Edexcel IGCE Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Monday 11th May - Morning | 1h 45m | 2h |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Tuesday 19th May - Morning | 2h 15m | 1h 30m |
GCSE English Literature FAQs
What exam board will I be sitting with?
This is up to you. We offer AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE. Please make sure you read about each one and pick the exam board that is best for you.
Once I have bought the GCSE English Literature exam, what do I need to do next?
Once you have booked with us, keep an eye out on your emails as we will need to get some details from you to allow us to register you with the exam centre. We will sort everything else for you.
Can I revise for free?
Yes, you can start with free online GCSE English literature revision materials.
What is a Fast-Track GCSE English Literature qualification?
A fast-track GCSE English Literature qualification with Pass GCSE allows you to revise for and sit your GCSE English Literature exam in a shorter timeframe than studying at school or college. Many learners complete their qualification in under 12 months, with some finishing in as little as 6 months.
Is this the same qualification taken in schools?
Yes, this exam awards a GCSE English Literature qualification that is equivalent to the one taken by students in schools and colleges.
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