Exam prep
Timed Practice Questions
Practise under exam conditions to build speed, stamina, and confidence
Why Timing Matters
Most students know their texts well enough to write a good essay — given unlimited time. But the exam gives you strict time limits. Component 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes for 80 marks; Component 2 is 2 hours 15 minutes for 80 marks. If you cannot write a focused response within the time, your knowledge does not translate into marks.
Recommended Timings
| Question Type | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Shakespeare Part (a) — Extract | 15 | 15 minutes |
| Shakespeare Part (b) — Essay | 25 | 25 minutes |
| Post-1914 Essay | 40 | 45 minutes (inc. 5 min planning) |
| 19th-Century Part (a) — Extract | 20 | 25 minutes |
| 19th-Century Part (b) — Wider text | 20 | 25 minutes |
| Poetry Comparison | 20 | 30 minutes |
| Unseen Poetry | 20 | 30 minutes (inc. 5 min reading) |
How to Build Up
- Week 1–2: Practise single paragraphs. Write one analytical paragraph in 5 minutes. Focus on the PEA structure (point, evidence, analysis).
- Week 3–4: Write full responses to individual questions under timed conditions. Use the practice questions on each StudyVault lesson.
- Week 5+: Do a full paper under exam conditions. No notes, strict timing, silent environment. Mark it yourself using the mark scheme.
Self-Assessment
After each timed practice, ask yourself:
- Did I answer the question that was asked, or drift into a pre-prepared response?
- Did I use quotations from across the whole text (not just one scene)?
- Did I embed context or bolt it on?
- Did I finish within the time, or run out?
- Could I improve my planning to write more efficiently?
Common Pitfalls
- Only practising with notes open: The exam is closed-book (except for the extract). You must practise without your text.
- Spending too long on lower-value questions: A 15-mark extract question should not take 30 minutes — that steals time from the 25-mark essay.
- Never reviewing your work: After each timed practice, read your response critically. Identify one thing to improve next time.