9670 · Oxford AQA International AS Level
English Language (9670) Exam Tips
Ask any Oxford AQA examiner what drives them to despair, and they will give you a single answer: feature spotting. Many students believe that hunting down a noun phrase, spotting a passive verb, or highlighting a modal auxiliary is the golden ticket to an 'A' grade. It is not. Id…
Source: Oxford AQA
Papers
2
Total marks
100
Time limit
4h
Grade scale
ABCDEU
Additional note
Calculator policy
A calculator is not normally required for this subject.
Assessment objectives
AO1 (using linguistic terminology with precision) and AO2 (analysing how meanings are shaped) are inextricably linked. When you analyze a text, never let a technical label stand alone. Instead, use the formula: Feature + Contextual Evidence + Precise Pragmatic Effect. For example, rather than writing 'the writer uses dynamic verbs,' say: 'The writer's deployment of dynamic, monosyllabic verbs such as "hissed" and "crumpled" mimics the aggressive energy of the waves, positioning the reader to experience the physical impact of the landscape.' This transforms a basic descriptive label into an insightful, level-5 analysis.
2
Papers
5
Strategies
5
Mistakes
- Ask any Oxford AQA examiner what drives them to despair, and they will give you a single answer: feature spotting. Many students believe that hunting down a noun phrase, spotting a passive verb, or highlighting a modal auxiliary is the golden ticket to an 'A' grade. It is not. Identifying a feature without explaining its effect is like listing the ingredients of a cake without explaining how they make it rise. Top scorers understand that AO1 (using linguistic terminology with precision) and AO2 (analysing how meanings are shaped) are inextricably linked. When you analyze a text, never let a technical label stand alone. Instead, use the formula: Feature + Contextual Evidence + Precise Pragmatic Effect. For example, rather than writing 'the writer uses dynamic verbs,' say: 'The writer's deployment of dynamic, monosyllabic verbs such as "hissed" and "crumpled" mimics the aggressive energy of the waves, positioning the reader to experience the physical impact of the landscape.' This transforms a basic descriptive label into an insightful, level-5 analysis.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.