H072 · Cambridge OCR AS Level
English Literature - H072 Exam Tips
In the high-pressure environment of the English literature exam, there is a dangerous temptation to open the paper and immediately start writing. Underprepared candidates often fall victim to this, resulting in narrative-driven, descriptive essays that retell the plot rather than…
Source: OCR
Papers
1
Total marks
120
Time limit
3h 15min
Grade scale
ABCDEU
Additional note
Calculator policy
A calculator is not normally required for this subject.
6
Papers
6
Strategies
6
Mistakes
- In the high-pressure environment of the English literature exam, there is a dangerous temptation to open the paper and immediately start writing. Underprepared candidates often fall victim to this, resulting in narrative-driven, descriptive essays that retell the plot rather than construct a thesis. Top-performing candidates do the exact opposite: they spend the first 5 to 7 minutes analyzing the prompt, mapping out an overarching argument, and selecting precise textual evidence. For both Paper 1 and Paper 2, every question is worth 30 marks. Because you have roughly 45 minutes per section (and an hour for the prose comparison on Paper 2), a planned essay with three deeply analyzed points will consistently outscore a five-page unfocused stream of consciousness. Your plan must include: A strong, combative thesis statement that directly answers the specific prompt.A list of key vocabulary and technical terminology (metre, dramatic irony, staging) to integrate into your AO2 analysis.A structured outline where each paragraph starts with an analytical topic sentence rather than a plot point.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.