Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature (9ET0) is structured around four components that together cover the full sweep of literary study — drama, poetry, prose fiction, and independent coursework. The specification requires students to read widely across periods, genres, and literary movements, with a strong emphasis on contextual understanding and critical perspectives. Paper 1: Drama (2 hours 15 minutes, 60 marks, 30%) examines two plays. Section A requires analysis of one Shakespeare play — students answer one question, analysing a printed extract and then discussing it in relation to the play as a whole. Section B requires a critical essay on a second drama text studied during the course, without the text present in the exam. Both sections assess the candidate's ability to analyse dramatic technique, stage craft, and the relationship between text and performance. Paper 2: Prose (1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks, 20%) presents a passage-based question on one prose fiction text. Students analyse the printed extract and discuss its significance within the wider novel, demonstrating understanding of narrative technique, characterisation, and how the writer shapes meaning through language choices. Paper 3: Poetry (2 hours 15 minutes, 60 marks, 30%) has two sections. Section A examines a studied poetry collection — students analyse a printed poem and connect it to other poems in the collection. Section B is an unseen poetry comparison — two poems on a related theme must be compared, testing the student's ability to analyse poetic technique without prior preparation. The NEA (20%) is a 2,500-3,000 word comparative essay on two texts, at least one of which must be written before 1900. This component rewards genuine independent literary scholarship and the ability to sustain an argument across extended analytical writing. 217 resources in this archive span both the current specification and legacy unit papers, giving extensive practice material across Shakespeare, modern drama, prose fiction, and poetry analysis.