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WJEC GCSE English Literature Revision

Explore WJEC GCSE English Literature revision topics. Check the official specification for complete requirements for your exam year and route.

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Course details

WJEC · GCSE English Literature3720QSExam years · 2027

Assessment The assessment includes Unit 1; see the official specification for the full structure.

Tick a point after revising it. Progress is saved on this device and does not measure mastery.

Reviewed course guidance

Revision points, with the explanation beside them

Open a point to read what to know, how to use it in an assessment, a plain-language explanation and a self-check. Answers stay hidden until you choose to reveal them.

Options and source

Unit 1 tier

  • Foundation
  • Higher

§4.2 Grading/entry tiers; Unit 1–2 external units are tiered. Official 3720 entry table lists Foundation and Higher only.

Unit 2 route

  • Unit 2a: Literary Heritage Drama and Contemporary Prose
  • Unit 2b: Contemporary Drama and Literary Heritage Prose

§2.2 Unit 2a/2b alternative written routes.

Unit 2a tier

  • Foundation
  • Higher

§4.2 Grading/entry tiers; Unit 2a external examination entry.

Unit 2b tier

  • Foundation
  • Higher

§4.2 Grading/entry tiers; Unit 2b external examination entry.

Topic group

Reviewed requirements

1 revision points
  • Core

    Scope: Core · 3720QS Unit 1 prose (different cultures): use one extract detail to connect with one supported idea about the centre-selected whole text.

    Open revision guidance

    What to know

    • In the legacy WJEC GCSE English Literature route, the Unit 1 different-cultures prose assessment distinguishes close reading of a printed extract from a response about the text as a whole. Of Mice and Men is one permitted choice, not a compulsory book for every WJEC candidate.

    What to do in an assessment

    • For the extract task, follow the question’s focus and analyse details that are actually present. For a whole-text task, select a separate moment elsewhere in the novel and explain how it develops the same idea. Keep character, setting and events accurate, and use only the set text chosen by the centre.

    In plain language

    One answer zooms in on the passage; the other needs your knowledge of the complete novel. Evidence from one paragraph cannot stand in for both.

    Self-check

    How does a whole-text answer differ from a close extract answer?

    Show the answer

    It makes an argument using the text beyond the printed passage, while still responding directly to the question.

Earlier topic checklist

These earlier topic ticks are separate from the reviewed points above and do not count towards that progress.

English Literature topic list

Tick each item off as you revise. Ticks are saved on this device only.

These ticks keep your earlier topic checklist. They do not count towards the new reviewed requirements above. Its numbering may be internal; use the linked references above for the exact reviewed source requirements.

How OmniStudy helps you revise

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  • Flashcards, quizzes and revision games generated for every topic.
  • Practise real past papers with mark schemes.
  • A study planner with an exam countdown, built around your weakest topics.
  • Everything works in English and Welsh.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg): Welsh (Cymraeg) guide

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