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How do I access the practice papers?  \nThe updated sample assessment materials (SAMs) and mark schemes are available on our website. The updated versions show how the changes will look for summer 2026.  \n2. With Year 10 end of year exams coming up, students and teachers will need to see HOW a top  \nmark answer is written. Any chance this can be made a priority? Can AQA provide model responses for the new questions?  \nThe updated SAMs (Sample set 1) are also suitable to use as mock papers for your Year 10 student cohort and will use the June 2023 Insert. Updated answers and commentaries will be available on our website by the end of April.  \n3. Is there a timeline for when we will get additional sources and practice papers? We know you’re waiting for copyright authorisation but is there a date in mind for us?  \nWe’ve produced a full set of exam papers which you can use straight away on our website. We’reworking as fast as we can on this, but creating new or revised exam papers can take time to produce and get copyright approval. We’re in the process of creating additional sample papers to support your teaching and learning, and we’ll be in touch to let you know when they are ready. To make sure you’re the first to hear, you can sign up for subject updates on our website.  \nWe’re also busy working on a Companion Guide and additional Answers and Commentaries to be available on our website by the end of April. An eLearning module will also be available in the coming weeks. To make sure you’re the first to hear, you can sign up for subject updates on our website.  \n4. Can’t you just re-use the papers that are already there?  \nEven for papers that we've used previously, we need to seek copyright permission again from the writers/publishers of the source material and permission is not always granted. Unfortunately, we've no control over how long it might take for permission to be granted.  \n5. When will you release mark schemes or lists of 'typical features' that we might find on the mark schemes?  \nThe Question 5 mark schemes have additional columns added for ‘typical features’ at each level. The additional 'typical features' column, seen within the SAMs, will be included on all future mark schemes.  \nTimings of the changes  \n1. Why is this for 2026 and not 2027? Not fair to make changes mid GCSE course. Could this be put off and released in 2027?  \nWe wanted to share the updates with you as soon as possible, to support teachers and students by improving the exam experience, rather than wait for reform. From our experience, teaching exam technique and strategy would usually happen later in the two-year GCSE curriculum.  \nWe haven't changed the structure of the papers, mark allocations or the assessment objectives. Timings of papers, weighting of marks and assessment objectives for both papers and all questions remain the same. These are small changes that simply clarify the requirements of the mark scheme. The mark schemes and the expectations of the questions remain the same. We’ve been delighted with the positive feedback we’ve received from many of our schools and colleges.  \nLike you, we've been following the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review and responded to both its call for evidence late last year and the interim report published on 18 March. We share your concerns as English teachers, and we believe that the specification and the texts should match the modern world. The final report and recommendation are due to be published in the autumn.  \nPaper 1, Question 1  \n1. Will the sequencing of Question 1 be chronological?  \nYes.  \n2. Will Question 1 be marked by a computer?  \nPaper 1, Question 1 multiple choice will be auto-marked, meaning that all responses are scanned in and marked online. Responses are grouped based on the response that the student gave (for example, all students who select 2, 3,","cbCaihLT3fHeTSTT","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaihLT3fHeTSTT","pdf",178903,"English","# FAQs for teachers\n## Access to practice papers and model responses\n## Timeline for additional sources, papers, and support\n## Re-use of existing papers and copyright permission\n## Mark schemes updates and “typical features”\n## Timings of the changes (2026 vs 2027)\n## Paper 1 question-specific clarifications\n## Paper 1 Question 3 focus and support updates\n## Paper 1 Question 4 wording and evaluation","[{\"question\":\"How can teachers access the updated practice papers and mark schemes?\",\"answer\":\"The updated sample assessment materials (SAMs) and mark schemes are available on AQA’s website. Updated versions show how the changes will look for summer 2026, and updated answers and commentaries are planned by the end of April.\"},{\"question\":\"Is there a timeline for additional sources, companion guidance, and eLearning?\",\"answer\":\"A full set of exam papers is available straight away on the website. Additional sample papers, a Companion Guide, and further answers and commentaries are planned for availability by the end of April, with an eLearning module in the coming weeks.\"},{\"question\":\"Why will the mark schemes include a “typical features” column, and when will it be released?\",\"answer\":\"The Question 5 mark schemes have additional columns added for “typical features” at each level. The same “typical features” column shown within the SAMs will be included on all future mark schemes.\"}]","GCSE English Language (8700) changes - Curriculum Connect - 1 April 2025 - FAQs for teachers | PDF",1792465018,13]