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AQA Level 1 English Past Papers

Download AQA Level 1 Certificate in English past papers. Component 1 Reading and Component 2 Writing. 115 resources for foundation-level English learners.

Papers Overview Paper Structure Key Info Key Topics Command Words Grade Boundaries Revision Tips Try AI Tutor ✦

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Year

150 of 150 resources — page 1 of 6

June 2023

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – June 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – June 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – June 2023

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March 2023

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – March 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – March 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – March 2023

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January 2023

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – January 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – January 2023

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – January 2023

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January 2022

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – January 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – January 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – January 2022

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June 2022

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – June 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – June 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – June 2022

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November 2022

2 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – November 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – November 2022

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March 2022

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – March 2022

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – March 2022

Question Paper

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – March 2022

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November 2021

3 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – November 2021

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – November 2021

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – November 2021

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January 2020

2 files

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 2 Writing – January 2020

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Functional Skills English – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Level 1) : Component 1 Reading – January 2020

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Accessible Reading Comprehension, Everyday Writing, and Foundation Literacy Skills

AQA Level 1 Certificate in English supports learners who are developing their literacy below GCSE standard and need a recognised qualification to evidence their reading and writing abilities. It is widely used in further education, community learning, and adult education settings, often as a stepping stone toward Level 2 English qualifications and eventual GCSE success. Component 1: Reading presents learners with accessible non-fiction texts — a short article, notice, leaflet, or information page — with questions designed to test progressively deeper comprehension. Earlier questions focus on retrieving specific facts directly stated in the text: "according to the text, at what time does the centre open?" Later questions ask learners to infer meaning or identify the writer's purpose: "what impression does the writer give of the town in the second paragraph?" The texts are carefully chosen to reflect contexts familiar to adult and post-16 learners, such as employment, health, community services, and public information. Component 2: Writing asks learners to produce a short piece of writing for a specific purpose and audience. Tasks typically include a short letter of complaint or enquiry, a brief report, an informal email, or a short personal account. Marks are awarded for content (saying the right things for the audience and purpose), organisation (presenting information in a logical order with appropriate paragraphing), and technical accuracy (correct spelling of common words, accurate use of basic punctuation, and grammatically clear sentences). The qualification confirms that learners can read and understand everyday written material and communicate in writing for common social and workplace purposes — the foundation of functional literacy.

Exam Paper Structure

Component 1No calculator

Reading

⏱ Timed examination🎯 marks📊 50% of grade

Retrieving explicit information from textInferring meaning from writer's choicesIdentifying purpose and audienceFollowing information across a textUnderstanding the effect of language choices

Component 2No calculator

Writing

⏱ Timed examination🎯 marks📊 50% of grade

Writing for specific purposes and audiencesFormal and informal registerOrganising writing into paragraphsSpelling of high-frequency wordsBasic punctuation (full stops, capital letters, commas)

Key Information

Exam Board	AQA
Qualification	Level 1 Certificate
Standard	Below GCSE — foundation literacy
Component 1	Reading (accessible non-fiction, retrieval and inference)
Component 2	Writing (letters, reports, personal accounts)
Audience	Adult learners; post-16 FE students; pre-GCSE literacy development
Total Resources	115

Key Topics in English

Topics you need to know

Retrieving facts and details from textsInferring implied meaningIdentifying writer's purpose and audienceWriting letters, reports, and personal accountsMatching register to audienceOrganising ideas in paragraphsAccurate punctuation and spelling of common words

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
What	Retrieve a specific piece of information from the text — look for it explicitly stated
Why	Explain a reason or motivation — this may require inference from the text
How	Describe the way something is communicated or the method used to achieve an effect
Give	Provide one or more examples directly from the text
Write	Produce a short text for the stated purpose — check purpose, audience, and form before starting

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Distinction	82%+
Merit	65-81%
Pass	50-64%

⚠️ AQA Level 1 English is graded Pass/Merit/Distinction. Session-specific boundaries are published by AQA after each examination.

Direct Evidence Use, Clear Communication, and Sentence-Level Accuracy

For Component 1, always read the question before reading the text. Knowing what you are looking for makes the reading more purposeful and focused. For retrieval questions, find the answer in the text and copy or closely paraphrase it — do not write from memory or general knowledge. For inference questions, look for clues in the writer's word choices: if the writer describes a place as "bustling" and "vibrant", they are suggesting it is lively and active, even though neither word says this directly. For Component 2, always identify the audience and purpose before writing a single sentence. A letter to an employer requires formal language, structured paragraphs, and a clear purpose stated in the opening paragraph. A personal account can be more relaxed in tone, with details and descriptions that bring the experience to life. The most common errors are: forgetting to include key content (mentioning the purpose of a complaint but not what outcome you are seeking), writing in the wrong register (too informal for a formal letter), and neglecting to paragraph at all. Spelling accuracy is assessed on high-frequency words — the most common words in English that appear in most written texts. If you are uncertain about a word's spelling, choose a synonym you can spell confidently rather than risking a misspelling that might undermine your writing. Using a wide range of vocabulary you can spell correctly is better than attempting sophisticated vocabulary with consistent errors.