Summary
Highlights
Mr. Everything English introduces the brand new AQA English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams, set to be sat for the first time in May and June 2026. He also promotes online and in-person English, Maths, and Science lessons available through everythingducation.co.uk, with a special 99% discount for the first month if enrolled by October 5th.
Paper 1's insert and overall exam structure (1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks) remain unchanged. However, Question 1 has been significantly altered. Instead of four statements, it now features four separate sub-questions (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4), each worth one mark. Students will select answers from multiple-choice options based on the first paragraph, rather than writing them out. The timing (4 marks, 5 minutes) remains the same.
Paper 1 Question 2, focusing on language, remains unchanged. However, Paper 1 Question 3, the structure question (8 marks, 10 minutes, two paragraphs), has a new focus. While it still assesses structural devices, the question no longer asks about creating 'interest'. Instead, it now specifies a single effect to focus on, such as 'sympathy', 'tension', or 'confusion', providing a clearer direction for students.
Paper 1 Question 4 largely remains the same, with the only change being the removal of 'a student said' from the prompt. It is still 20 marks and requires three paragraphs discussing the writer's methods. Paper 1 Question 5 introduces significant and beneficial changes. Students now have more freedom in descriptive writing, being able to write from imagination, use a given picture, or ignore it entirely. Additionally, there's an option to write only the opening of a story, which helps manage time. The question remains 40 marks and 45 minutes, with the same mark scheme.
Paper 2's insert and overall exam structure are unchanged. Question 1 (eight statements, four true/false) is also the same. Question 2's wording has been improved, clearly emphasizing 'inference'. Students need to write two paragraphs (eight marks, 10 minutes), one for each source, focusing on how they are different through inference. Paper 2 Question 3, a language question, remains unchanged (12 marks, two to three paragraphs). Paper 2 Question 4 has a minor change: 'compare the methods' is now 'comment on the methods', making it easier and more focused, while marks, timings, and general structure remain the same. Paper 2 Question 5 is entirely unchanged.
The speaker concludes by summarizing that despite some wording changes in questions, fundamental aspects like mark schemes, timings, required writing length, and exam duration remain consistent across both papers. He emphasizes that these changes provide more focus for students. He also informs students taking the November retake that these changes do not apply to them. Finally, he announces that new past papers will be uploaded to the 'Past Papers' section of everythingducation.co.uk within a week for students to practice.