CCEA past papers and mark schemes for GCSE English Literature

CCEA GCSE English Literature past papers and mark schemes

Here you can find CCEA past papers for GCSE English Literature. Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes (which contain indicative content and explain how marks are awarded).

In Unit 1, you will answer one question on the prose set text of your choice and one question on an extract of unseen prose.

In Unit 2, you will answer one question on the drama set text of your choice and one question on the poetry anthology of your choice.

Unit 3 is a controlled assessment unit based on the study of a play by William Shakespeare. We have guidance for the CCEA controlled assessment on the study of Shakespeare on Bitesize.

Unit 1

The Study of Prose

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Unit 2

The Study of Drama and Poetry

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Unit 3

The Study of Shakespeare (Controlled Assessment)

Unit 3 of the CCEA GCSE English Literature qualification is a controlled assessment unit based on the study of a play by William Shakespeare.

You will be asked to complete one extended writing task which can last up to a maximum of two hours.

You will be allowed to have an unannotated copy of your chosen Shakespeare play.

Your question will be linked to a theme which CCEA sets every year. For summer 2026, the theme will be either:

Theme 1: Pride
Theme 2: Fear and/or courage

Please consult your teacher for advice on the controlled assessment, and you can find further guidance on Bitesize.

More CCEA past papers and mark schemes

You can find more English literature past papers and mark schemes on the CCEA website.

Papers going back as far as 2018 are available there, in both standard and modified versions.

Five top tips for your English literature revision

A girl studying at a desk in her room at home.

1. Past paper questions
Look at previous questions to get you used to the format and see the range of previous topics. Practise identifying the key words. Fully plan answers for each question, including quotes and interpretations, as if you were going to write the essay. Do a timed practice paper from scratch. Look up mark schemes from past papers and see what points they listed for each question – if you're missing any of the information there, add it to your notes.

2. Annotate blank copies
Print off or ask your teacher for blank copies of key scenes, chapters and your poems, and practise annotating them from memory. This helps you find gaps in your knowledge and get you used to identifying methods and points, as you will need to in the exam.

3. Make cards
Create revision cards. For your play and novel, concentrate on key quotes, main characters and factual details (themes, methods, attitudes/tone etc.). For each poem, sum up the main methods (including quoted examples of each method used), themes, title, applicable context, form and structure. Shuffle the cards and match appropriate poems for comparison practise; turn the cards over and say missing answers aloud before turning them back; have a friend test you on the information you can't see; recreate the cards from memory to find any gaps in your knowledge.

4. Know key quotes
Annotate key quotes, identifying methods or language devices and words that help create the tone of the quote. Say them aloud and record them on your phone then listen back to them. Text the first half of a quote to a classmate and have them text back the rest. Write quotes out without looking at the original. Know who said each one, and when, and why.

5. Quiz yourself
Be careful about taking information you read online about the poems at face value, especially in a world of potentially inaccurate AI-generated content. However, there are lots of useful online quizzes and exercises that can help you embed your knowledge of the texts – start with some of the English literature quizzes on BBC Bitesize!

Five top tips for your English literature exams

A line of students at their desks in an examination room.

1. Know your texts
There is no substitute for really knowing your texts. Read and re-read your novel, play and poems as many times as you can – it builds familiarity, helps you make new connections and saves you time and worry in the exam. It's particularly important for Unit 1 (The Study of Prose) as you won't have your text with you and will have to rely on your memory, but even in the Unit 2 open book exam on Drama and Poetry, knowing your texts really well makes a huge difference. As tips for success go, this one is unbeatable.

2. Keywords are key
Read the question carefully, and underline the keywords to help you focus on what you're being asked to show. Plan points that prove the argument you want to make regarding the keywords, and include the key words themselves at the end of every paragraph to help demonstrate that you’re answering the question.

3. Name the methods
Remember to name specific language techniques, structural devices and poetic or dramatic methods in your analysis. These are the technical terms for what the writer has done and it's vital to show you can identify and understand them. Miss out on methods and you miss out on marks!

4. Easy on the context
Don't overdo it on the context – in your poetry response you will need to include a little, but it is important that what you choose to include is relevant to the point you're making. Check out the context sections in the poetry revision guides to see how applicable context can be linked to the poem's subject matter, themes, tone, style and structure.

5. Settle with PETAL
Literature essays need a slightly different approach from a simple PEE (Point, Evidence, Explain) paragraph for English. If you've learned an approach that works for you, stick with it, but if you’re struggling with structuring your paragraphs, PETAL is a good approach – Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis and Link. The link part brings you back to the key words of the question, helping to cement your argument, and it's vital to include it. Look over the sample essay sections in the poetry guides for examples of how to link back to the question.

Other methods, similar to PETAL, can be applied - PEA (Point, Evidence, Analysis); PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link); PIE (Point, Illustration, Explanation); PQD (Point, Quote, Discuss); STEEL (Statement, Technique, Example, Effect, Link); TEEL (Topic, Evidence, Explanation, Link). If you are unsure which method works best for each unit of study, ask your teacher.

Five top tips for unseen prose

Close-up of the face of a student reading during an examination

1. Don't panic!
Unseen prose is a daunting task, but every extract is chosen because it will have lots in it to write about. Stay calm, read the question and extract carefully, and you will find that ideas about what you can write will start to pop out at you.

2. Annotate the extract
In the exam, annotating the extract well at the start is a great use of your time. The more you underline quotes, identify techniques and add short phrases of explanation or effect around your text, the easier it will be for you to build paragraphs out of those initial ideas and make your points strong, relevant and well argued.

3. Focus on what you're sure of
You can't make every single point about the extract, and you aren't expected to. If you feel uncertain, remember to focus on what you feel most confident about – find a technique you're sure of, or a point that seems clear and obvious, and write about that to start you off.

4. Make every sentence count
Don't be tempted to waffle – there just isn't time! With every sentence you write, offer some information: a method, some analysis of a word, an idea or interpretation, or even a simple link back to the key word. Writing a lot is not the point of the exam – writing good quality, focused analysis is.

5. Don't forget methods
As with all the other sections of your English literature exams, do not neglect methods: language techniques, structural devices and literary terms. Every method used contributes to the meaning the writer communicates. Find them, name them, explain them and their effects, then link them to your argument – great marks will follow!

You might also find the examples of good practice contained in the reports of the Chief Examiner and Principal Moderator useful to have a look at.

Revise specific English literature texts

Student using a wheelchair in a library reading a book.

If practising with past papers has highlighted a particular text you need help with, then further assistance is available.

You can go straight to the most relevant Bitesize study guide for CCEA GCSE English Literature and refresh your knowledge.

All novels in Unit 1: The Study of Prose are covered and there is advice on tackling the unseen prose question in your exam. Six of the seven plays (the exception being Thornton Wilder's Our Town) and a handful of poems from each of the three anthologies in Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry are covered. There is also guidance on completing the controlled assessment in Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare.

Follow the links to the text or guidance of your choice. For the texts, you'll find easy-to-understand revision materials on plot summary, characters, themes and form, structure and language, as well as some sample questions and quick quizzes. The guidance on the controlled assessment and the unseen prose exam question contain countless hints, tips and tricks to help get you through.