Short answer first: English Language Paper 2 (GCSE) is typically 1 hour 45 minutes long, including both Reading and Writing sections, and is out of 80 marks in total. The exact timing breakdown across questions can vary by exam board and year, but a common allocation is around 10–15 minutes for Reading to answer several questions, followed by about 30–40 minutes for writing the extended response, with shorter questions interspersed. Details and common structure

• Overall duration: 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes) for most GCSE English Language Paper 2 exams. This is the standard for AQA and many boards, though you should check your specific board’s specification for any recent changes.

• Section A: Reading
  • Typically includes two linked non-fiction passages. You read both passages and then answer questions that test comprehension, analysis of language, and comparison of viewpoints.
  • Common question types in Section A include multiple-choice or short answer factual questions, and a longer comparative or analytical prompt.
  • Time guidance often cited is around 10–15 minutes for initial reading and 30–40 minutes total for the reading questions, depending on how many items and marks are allocated.

• Section B: Writing
  • A persuasive or argumentative writing task, often requiring a clear viewpoint, supported with evidence or reasoning. The writing task is typically worth a substantial portion of the 80 marks (often around 40 marks).
  • Time guidance for the writing portion is commonly around 40–45 minutes, including planning and drafting. Some guidance suggests a first pass planning phase of about 5–10 minutes, then drafting and editing within the remaining time.

• Typical marks distribution
  • Reading: roughly 40 marks, covering comprehension, language analysis, and comparison.
  • Writing: roughly 40 marks, covering content, structure, accuracy, and use of language features.

• Common tips
  • Budget time early: start with a quick planning pass for the writing task to outline aim, audience, and structure.
  • For reading, practice PEEL or PETAL structures in responses to efficiently articulate point, evidence, and analysis.
  • Ensure you address both texts in Section A if you must compare; keep track of values like purpose, audience, and writer’s methods.
  • Use quotation and textual evidence from the passages to support analysis, and explain how language choices affect meaning and viewpoint.

Board variations to verify

• While 1 hour 45 minutes is standard for many boards (e.g., AQA English Language Paper 2), some boards or specific specifications may have slightly different timings or section breakdowns. Always confirm with your exact specification document or your teacher. For example, some revision guides and past notes list similar timelines and emphasize the two-section format with equal emphasis on reading and writing.

If you’d like, I can tailor the timing breakdown to your particular exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, etc.) and provide a question-by-question study plan with a suggested time budget and practice prompts.