Reminder of the arrangements for the introduction of four new texts on AS and A level English Literature
This is a reminder of the arrangements for the introduction of four new texts on AS (8ET0) and A level English Literature (9ET0) as we move closer to first assessment for 8ET0 in summer 2023. The below link takes you to our original announcement from November 2021.
Arrangements for AS 8ET0
The four new texts will be first assessed in summer 2023.
The texts which were added and the four that were removed are also listed at the start of the issue 3 specification.
Since February 2021, you have been able to access the ‘New texts SAMs-Drama and Prose’ issue 1. These provide sample questions and marks schemes for the four new texts only.
Access 'New texts SAMs-Drama and Prose'
We have made available a new ‘secure mock’ which is a composite paper made up of the June 2022 question papers, including the replacement of questions on the old texts with questions on the new texts, from the new SAMs. These are located under the specimen paper and mark scheme filter of the web page.
AS level English Literature Paper 1: Poetry and Drama 8ET0 01
Section B: Drama
We have introduced two new texts:
- Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberry
- Sweat, Lynn Nottage
These new texts are for first teaching from September 2022 and first assessment in Summer 2023.
We have removed:
- The Home Place, Brian Friel
- The Pitman Painters, Lee Hall
As mentioned above, we have created two new mock papers that include the new question numbering and questions on the new texts.
We have removed the tragedy/comedy labels for the drama texts in the SAMs and live question papers. The new question order and question numbering from the 2023 assessment series onward will be:
| Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberry | Questions 3 and 4 |
| Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe | Questions 5 and 6 |
| The Duchess of Malfi, John Webster | Questions 7 and 8 |
| The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde | Questions 9 and 10 |
| The Rover, Aphra Behn | Questions 11 and 12 |
| A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams | Questions 13 and 14 |
| Sweat, Lynn Nottage | Questions 15 and16 |
| Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett | Questions 17 and 18 |
AS level English Literature Paper 2: Prose 8ET0 02
The questions are set thematically, and the new texts have been slotted into their ‘themes’, replacing the two removed texts. As a result, there is no change to the question numbering.
As a reminder – please see the texts we have added and removed for this component below.
We have introduced two new texts:
- Home Fire, Kamila Shamsie
- The Cutting Season, Attica Locke
These new texts are for first teaching from September 2022 and first assessment in Summer 2023.
We have removed:
- A Passage to India, EM Forster
- The Murder Room, PD James
Arrangements for A level 9ET0
The four new texts will be first assessed in summer 2024.
The texts which were added and the four that were removed are listed at the start of the issue 7 specification.
Since February 2021, you have been able to access the ‘New texts SAMs-Drama and Prose’ issue 1. These provide sample questions and mark schemes for the four new texts only.
Access ‘New texts SAMs-Drama and Prose’
We have made available a new ‘secure mock’ which is a composite paper made up of the June 2022 question papers, including the replacement of questions on the old texts with questions on the new texts, from the current SAMs. These are located under the specimen paper and mark scheme filter of the web page.
A level English Literature Paper 1: Drama 9ET0 01
Section B: Other Drama
We have introduced two new texts:
- Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberry
- Sweat, Lynn Nottage
These new texts are for first teaching from September 2022 and first assessment in Summer 2024.
We have created two new mock papers that include the new question order and questions on new texts.
After summer 2023, the following texts will be removed:
- The Home Place, Brian Friel
- The Pitman Painters, Lee Hall
We will be removing the tragedy/comedy labels for the drama texts in the SAMs and live questions papers. Therefore, the new question order and question numbering from the summer 2024 assessment series onward will be:
| Les Blancs, Lorraine Hansberry | Questions 17 and 18 |
| Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe | Questions 19 and 20 |
| The Duchess of Malfi, John Webster | Questions 21 and 22 |
| The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde | Questions 23 and 24 |
| The Rover, Aphra Behn | Questions 25 and 26 |
| A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams | Questions 27 and 28 |
| Sweat, Lynn Nottage | Questions 29 and 30 |
| Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett | Questions 31 and 32 |
A level English Literature Paper 1: Prose 9ET0 02
The questions are set thematically, and the new texts have been slotted into their ‘themes’, replacing the two removed texts. As a result, there is no change to the question numbering.
As a reminder – please see the texts we have added and removed for this component below.
We have introduced two new texts:
- Home Fire, Kamila Shamsie
- The Cutting Season, Attica Locke
These new texts are for first teaching from September 2022 and first assessment in Summer 2024.
We have removed:
- A Passage to India, EM Forster
- The Murder Room, PD James
There are no changes to 9ET0 03 and 9ET0 04.
At this time, we would also like to take the opportunity to remind you that there is no advance information and no other adjustments for these qualifications in summer 2023. We will assess all of the content on specifications during their lifetimes.
If you need any clarifications of this information, please feel free to get in touch with Clare Haviland, English Subject Advisor, from details below.
Best wishes
Liz Slade
Senior Product Manager, English and MFL
Subject advisor
Clare Haviland
English
