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7717 · aqa-7717-v1, verified 15 Aug 2026

A-level English Literature B

AQA

Every question assesses all five assessment objectives. Two texts added for first exam summer 2027, with nothing withdrawn.

Paper 1: Literary genres

150 minutes · 75 marks · 40 per cent

Option 1A: Aspects of tragedy (75 marks)

Closed book. One Shakespeare, one further drama, one further text, one pre-1900

Option 1B: Aspects of comedy (75 marks)

Closed book. One Shakespeare, one further drama, one further text, one pre-1900

Paper 2: Texts and genres

180 minutes · 75 marks · 40 per cent

Option 2A: Elements of crime writing (75 marks)

Open book. One post-2000 prose, one poetry, one further, one pre-1900, plus unseen

Option 2B: Elements of political and social protest writing (75 marks)

Open book. One post-2000 prose, one poetry, one further, one pre-1900, plus unseen

Non-exam assessment: Theory and independence

50 marks · 20 per cent

Critical anthology (50 marks)

Two essays, one poetry and one prose, each on a different section. Exam set texts barred