[Stacy_T]

My little sister Alexa has her GCSE English language exams this week (AQA).

She basically feels like she doesn't know enough to pass, so I've told her I'll go home for a few days to help her revise since all my university exams are now over.

I did my GCSEs in 2003, and it seems the format has totally changed now. As well as the writing to persuade section, she said something about the exams being split into media and culture?

I've spied a few links on the forum for good notes etc, but could anyone please give me a breakdown of what the papers are actually like (ie, format, number of questions, choice, what's required etc)? She's on half term at the moment so there is no chance of getting a copy of a mock before the weekend.

She's is not as strong academically as I was at school, and I think that puts her under pressure, especially since she is not particularly confident in her own ability. So I'd really appreciate any help you give me, as would she

[pillygirl]

If you go onto the AQA website, you can view copies of past exam papers. Look at paper 1 mature higher, and paper 2 mature higher if she is, a mature student. If not,then just view paper 1 higher and paper 2 higher. The foundation papers are for students who are not as academic.

good luck

[Kestrel_Lover_Sophie]

I think this is the link:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/eng_a_assess.php

[Nayberay]

Paper 1's not on the AQA website
AQA make me so

A task your sister could do is get a media text such as a newspaper and analyse it by using what she was taught or maybe by something around the form,audience,purpose and language
All the best

[RoadWarrior]

Is your sister doing AQA A or AQA B?