“Hey guys, I’m the GCSE and A-Level Goblin, and if anyone has any spare change I’m collecting donations for my escape fund. Please place them under the log.

Today I want to talk to you about what I think is the best Student Textbook for GCSE English (for AQA anyway, I might find a different one for Edexcel and IGCSE). That textbook is the GCSE AQA English Language and Literature Complete Revision and Practice book by CGP. There is also an extremely useful online version, which I recommend for more techy people and anyone who likes to print things off for revision.

Why Do I Recommend GCSE AQA English Language and Literature?

There are a lot of good reasons but I will list the main ones here:

• Cheat Sheets (Knowledge Organisers) for every set text with all the most important information together on one page.

• Exam strategy recommendations.

• Graded sample exam answers so you can see what it takes to get each grade.

• Advice for unseen poetry.

• How to structure your answers to poetry anthology questions.

• How to format your writing for purpose answers for different media like newspapers, letters, speeches, and more.

• How to Give PEAL answers to exam questions (Point - Evidence - Analysis - Link).

• Practice papers.

• Knowledge Quizzes.

• The online version comes with video guides for exam strategy that guide you each question.

This is just some of what is available, and you can see why I think it’s good now!

What Do I Do for Invidivual Set Texts?

I still recommend getting separate guides for each set text, and that varies by text (not all my recommendations are CGP). I will be adding this and other book recommendations for GCSE under GCSE English Materials, along with audiobooks and other materials. This is just an excellent guide to everything English GCSE, and it can be a lifesaver if you don’t work very well with your school teacher.

Are You Getting Paid for This?

No. I want to get paid for this though. Does anyone know someone who works for CGP? I’d really like to get out of here. I’ve been here a long time and my feet are going pruney from the damp.”