How to Revise for A Level English Language

Revising for A Level English Language can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can break it down into manageable steps. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching English at all levels, I have helped many students navigate the demands of A Level exams successfully. 

This guide will walk you through 10 key revision strategies to help you prepare effectively.  Whether you’re sitting AQA, OCR, Edexcel or WJEC exams, these strategies will help you prepare effectively and perform at your best.

Understand the exam structure

Each exam board structures its A Level English Language course differently, but most syllabuses include:

• Language analysis: analysing spoken and written texts using linguistic frameworks

• Language diversity and change: exploring accents, dialects, gendered language, and historical language shifts

• Original writing and commentary: writing creatively and reflecting on stylistic choices

• Language investigation: researching a linguistic topic and writing an academic-style report

Exam board differences:

• AQA includes a language investigation and original writing coursework

• Edexcel focuses more on language variation and child language acquisition

• OCR has a comparative and contextual analysis section

• WJEC includes a data-driven approach to language analysis

My top tip is to familiarise yourself with your specific exam papers early in your revision so you know exactly what to expect.

Break down the assessment objectives (AOs)

To score highly, you need to understand what examiners are looking for and which questions test which assessment objective. Most A Level English Language exams assess the following:

• AO1: apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology

• AO2: demonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use

• AO3: analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning

• AO4: explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods

• AO5: demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways

Many students lose marks by not balancing AO1 and AO2 — don’t just identify features, explain why they matter in context.

Create a revision schedule

Effective revision is about consistency, not cramming. Here’s how to build a solid schedule:

• Prioritise weaker areas: if you struggle with grammar frameworks, dedicate more time to them

• Set weekly targets: break revision into smaller tasks (e.g. one past paper per week)

• Use a mix of revision techniques: rotate between reading, writing and discussing linguistic concepts

• Review regularly: schedule spaced repetition to retain key theories

In my experience, students who start revising early and consistently perform significantly better than those who cram at the last minute.

Master key linguistic frameworks

Examiners expect you to use precise linguistic terminology in analysis. The main linguistic frameworks include:

Flashcards with examples of each framework in context will help you recall terminology faster in exams.

Practise text analysis with unseen extracts

Unseen text analysis is a key part of A Level English Language exams. To improve, try the following:

• Annotate widely: practise analysing advertisements, political speeches, transcripts and articles

• Use a structured approach: identify genre, audience, purpose and linguistic features

• Compare texts: look at how a variety of texts shape meaning differently

• Apply theories: link language use to gender, power, technology or historical changes

Examiners love responses that go beyond basic feature-spotting, so remember to always discuss the effect on the reader.

Know your language theories and case studies

Linguistic theories often appear in essay questions. Key theories include:

My advice is to use real-world examples, such as political speeches or social media trends to support your arguments. This shows examiners you can apply theories, not just memorise them.

Use past papers and examiner reports

Past papers are one of the most effective revision tools. Here’s how to use them:

• Identify patterns: look for common question structures

• Write under timed conditions: build exam stamina

• Use mark schemes: compare your answers to top-band responses

• Check examiner reports: learn from previous mistakes students have made

Peer-marking past papers with friends can help you see what makes an answer strong or weak.

Here at Save My Exams, we have past papers available for the following A Level English Language courses:

AQA A Level English Language Past Papers

CIE A Level English Language Past Papers

Edexcel A Level English Language Past Papers

OCR A Level English Language Past Papers

WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language Past Papers

Practise essay writing under timed conditions

A Level English Language exams require structured, concise, and well evidenced essays. Improve your writing by:

• Planning first: spend 5 minutes structuring your response

• Using clear topic sentences: every paragraph should link to the question

• Embedding examples: use real data and linguistic features

• Writing practice essays weekly: set a timer to simulate exam conditions

Students who write multiple drafts and refine their essays tend to score in the highest bands.

Revise actively — don’t just read notes

Passive revision (just reading notes) won’t help you retain information. Instead you could try:

• Creating mind maps: link theories, frameworks and examples

• Using flashcards: test yourself on key theorists and terms

• Teaching someone else: explaining a concept boosts understanding

• Making voice recordings: listening back helps reinforce information

Research shows active recall is the best way to retain information, so test yourself regularly.

For more help on creating a revision schedule, check out our article on creating a perfect revision timetable, including a template you can download.

Stay positive and exam-ready

Revision can be stressful, so it’s important to take care of yourself.

• Take breaks: avoid burnout by using techniques like the Pomodoro Method

• Get enough sleep: sleep improves memory retention

• Stay hydrated and eat well: a healthy brain performs better

• Manage stress: use mindfulness or breathing exercises to stay calm

A Level English Language is a skills-based subject, so confidence comes from practice, not just memorisation. For more tips to manage stress, check out our free Exam Anxiety Relief Kit.

With nearly 20 years of experience teaching English, I’ve seen that the most successful students are those who practise consistently, use past papers effectively, and actively engage with language theory. By following these strategies, you’ll be in a strong position to achieve top grades in your A Level English Language exam.

Improve your grades with Save My Exams

At Save My Exams, we have made sure that our past papers are as up to date as possible, and we are working hard at producing more specification-aligned A Level resources to help you with your studies:

A Level English Language Resources