What 9280/W (Paper 2) assesses
A written exam with four writing tasks that increase in challenge and in marks. Each of the first three tasks is based on one of the named themes, and the final task lets candidates draw on one or more themes. It assesses how clearly and appropriately the candidate writes in English (AO2).
- Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks: 60
- Weight: 30% of OxfordAQA 9280 (Specification, Version 7.2 (exams May/June 2018 onwards))
- How it is assessed: External (written examination)
- Who takes it: All candidates
9280/W (Paper 2) is worth 30% of the 9280 grade and carries 60 marks. Each mark moves the qualification by about 0.50%. The qualification is graded 9–1.
What the examiners reward in 9280/W (Paper 2)
Writing
- W3: Make accurate use of vocabulary and grammatical structures; spell and punctuate accurately
This is one of the objectives. The 9280 overview lists the full set.
The reading paper rewards a candidate who reads purposefully. That means skimming for the gist and scanning for precise detail. It also means reading closely enough to separate fact from the writer's opinion.
Candidates must infer meaning that is implied rather than stated. Good answers select only the information the question asks for and put it in the student's own words where required. The writing paper rewards clear communication aimed at a purpose and audience, logical paragraphing and cohesion, and accurate, varied language.
Strong work sounds like the form it imitates: an email opens and closes appropriately, and an article engages a reader. It also controls tense, agreement, articles and punctuation. We teach your child to plan quickly, answer exactly what is asked, and check their own accuracy before time runs out.
For more detail, see 9280 reading and writing in the syllabus.
Preparing for OxfordAQA 9280/W (Paper 2)? The paid trial hour can start with a timed look at that paper.
Question types we practise for 9280/W (Paper 2)
- ESL email: Writing an email in the right register for its purpose. Skills guide · annotated model response · practice
- ESL report or article: Writing an organised report or article for a set audience. Skills guide · annotated model response · practice
A timing plan for 9280/W (Paper 2)
The syllabus gives 60 marks and 1 hour 15 minutes for 9280/W (Paper 2). That is about 1.3 minutes per mark. A 10-mark answer therefore earns about 12.5 minutes.
At the halfway point of 37.5 minutes, check that you have covered about 30 marks' worth of the paper. This is a practice guide built from the stated totals. The paper's own instructions come first.
Where marks are lost on 9280/W (Paper 2)
Writing a report: Wrong register. The report is written like an article, with voice and flourish. Read the full guide.
Writing a review: A summary in disguise. The review retells everything in order and never judges. Read the full guide.
Preparing for 9280/W (Paper 2) with us
A teacher works through 9280/W (Paper 2) question types with your child under timed conditions, against the criteria in the mark scheme. See English as a Second Language tuition for how a session runs.
9280/W (Paper 2) is one component of OxfordAQA 9280, graded on the 9–1 scale. Check the current arrangement for your exam year with your school or the board.