AQA Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Browse all AQA past papers by qualification and subject. Download question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports — all free, no sign-up required.
All AQA Resources
About AQA
AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is the most widely used exam board in England. It sets and marks exams for GCSE and A-Level students across a broad range of subjects. AQA specifications are known for being clearly written and accessible, with a strong support network of teachers and revision resources.
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How to Use AQA Past Papers Effectively
Past papers are one of the most powerful revision tools — but only when used strategically. Follow these steps to maximise your marks.
Start with recent papers
Begin with the most recent AQA papers — these reflect the current specification and question style most accurately. Older papers may cover different content or use a different format.
Simulate exam conditions
Set a timer matching the real exam duration. No notes, no phone, no breaks. This builds stamina and helps you learn to pace yourself under pressure.
Mark yourself honestly
Use the official AQA mark scheme to grade your answers point by point. Be strict — if the mark scheme requires a specific keyword or calculation step, don't give yourself the mark without it.
Track weak topics
Keep a log of which questions you got wrong and which topics they belong to. After 3–4 papers, patterns will emerge — those patterns tell you exactly where to focus your remaining revision time.
AQA Exam Technique Tips
Board-specific strategies to get the most out of your AQA past paper practice.
Learn the command words
AQA mark schemes are built around command words: 'describe', 'explain', 'analyse', 'evaluate', 'discuss'. Each demands a different style of answer — using the wrong approach can cost you marks even when your knowledge is correct.
Use the mark scheme actively
AQA mark schemes often include 'indicative content' — a list of valid points — not just a rigid answer. After every past paper, mark your work point by point against the mark scheme and identify exactly where marks were lost.
Read the examiner reports
AQA publishes detailed examiner reports after every series. These reveal the most common mistakes students made and what high-mark answers included. Reading them is often more valuable than re-doing the paper.
Practise time allocation
AQA papers award marks in proportion to time. Use the rule: 1 mark ≈ 1 minute. If a question is worth 6 marks, spend roughly 6 minutes on it. Students who run out of time leave the most marks on the table.
What AQA Resources Are Available?
We collect and organise every publicly available AQA resource so you can find what you need in one place.
Question Papers
The actual exam papers students sat. Use these to practise under realistic conditions and familiarise yourself with question formatting.
Mark Schemes
Official marking guides showing exactly how marks are awarded. Essential for self-assessment and understanding what examiners expect.
Examiner Reports
Post-exam analysis from senior examiners explaining common mistakes, strong answers, and areas where the cohort struggled.
Grade Boundaries
The raw mark thresholds for each grade in each exam series. Useful for benchmarking your practice paper scores against real outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AQA exams and past paper resources.
When are AQA past papers released?
AQA typically publishes past papers and mark schemes around 1–2 months after each exam series ends. June series papers usually appear in September; November series papers appear in February. Papers are published on the AQA website and are mirrored here.
What is the AQA specification code?
Each AQA subject has a unique specification code (e.g., 8300 for GCSE Maths, 7357 for A-Level Maths). The code appears at the top of your exam paper and on all past papers and mark schemes. It helps you confirm you're using the right papers.
Are AQA GCSE papers tiered?
Most AQA GCSE science and maths subjects use two tiers: Foundation (grades 1–5) and Higher (grades 4–9). English, History, and most humanities subjects are untiered. The tier is decided by your school — check with your teacher if you're unsure.
Does AQA release sample assessment materials?
Yes. When AQA introduces a new specification, it publishes sample assessment materials (SAMs) — practice papers that show the format and style of questions before real papers exist. These are included in the resources here.
How do I appeal an AQA result?
You can request a clerical check or a review of marking through your school or college after results day. Your school submits the appeal on your behalf — you cannot contact AQA directly as a student.