AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2 2025 Mark Scheme

Get the official AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2 mark scheme from the June 2025 series (8702/2) — Version 1.0 Final. This examiner-approved PDF contains the full assessment criteria used to mark Section A (modern texts), Section B (poetry comparison), and Section C (unseen poetry).

It includes detailed Level 1–6 band descriptors, assessment objectives (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4), and “best fit” marking guidance used by examiners during standardisation. You’ll see exactly how marks are awarded for analytical essays, comparative poetry responses, and unseen poetry interpretation — including how to reach top Level 6 (26–30 marks) answers through critical, conceptualised analysis.

The mark scheme also provides indicative content for every question, showing valid interpretations, key themes, and expected references across texts like An Inspector Calls, Blood Brothers, Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, and poetry such as ‘Exposure’ and ‘Follower’. Pair it with the matching AQA 8702/2 June 2025 question paper on markscheme.net for full exam practice. Fully updated for the 2025/2026 academic year and optimised for instant download.

This is for GCSE English Literature students preparing for the 2026 exam series, including Year 11 students, retake candidates aiming for Grades 7–9, and independent learners who want to understand exactly how marks are awarded in Paper 2.

It is also essential for teachers, tutors, and revision providers who need official examiner criteria for marking essays, standardising grading, and delivering high-level feedback. Parents supporting revision can use this to understand grade boundaries and performance expectations.