AQA GCSE English Changes 2026 – What Parents Need to Know

If your child is in Year 10, they’ll be among the first to take the newly updated AQA English Language GCSE in summer 2026. But don’t worry — it’s not a dramatic overhaul. In fact, these tweaks are designed to make the exam clearer, fairer, and more focused on helping students succeed.

After years of feedback from schools, AQA has polished the paper so students understand exactly what’s being asked — and how to respond. The goal? Less confusion. More clarity. And a fairer shot at high marks.

• Q1: Now multiple-choice!
  Students tick the right answers instead of writing them out. It’s quicker and easier to understand.

• Q3: More focused questions.
  Instead of asking how the writer "interests" the reader, it now asks things like: “How does the writer create suspense?” This helps students stay on track.

• Q4: Tidier and clearer wording.
  Gone is the confusing “a student said…” phrasing. Now it’s direct and focused on techniques.

• Q5: Greater creative freedom.
  Students can write just the opening of a story, and are encouraged to go beyond the picture prompt. This means more imaginative writing — and less pressure.

• Q2 (Summary Question): Slight rewording for clarity. Same task, just easier to understand.

• Q4 (Comparison of methods): Clearer guidance on what methods to look for and how to structure the answer.

Mark schemes now include a “typical features” column to help teachers and students know exactly what’s expected at each level. This leads to better feedback and more focused revision.

• Practise multiple-choice answers. Use short news or magazine articles and ask your child to spot details.

• Read suspenseful extracts together. Ask how the writer builds tension.

• Create story openings from images. Challenge your child to write just the first paragraph — it’s all they need now!

• Talk about techniques. Spot things like repetition, exaggeration, or tone in everyday media.

• Use the 2026 sample papers. AQA has released updated papers and mark schemes reflecting these changes.

The changes to AQA GCSE English Language aren’t drastic — they’re refreshing. They aim to make the paper more accessible, less intimidating, and more suited to how teenagers think and write.

If you want help supporting your child through these changes, TJ Tutors is here for you. Whether it’s expert-led classes, feedback on writing, or practice questions based on the new format — we’ve got you covered.

Get in touch to find out more or join one of our 2025 prep sessions.