AO1 — read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.
(Verbatim spec text private side only — © Pearson Education Limited 2025)
Tests canonical
Where assessed
Component 1 Section A. A mixture of short- and long-answer questions related to a non-fiction text from Part 1 of the Anthology and one previously unseen extract.
Cross-overlay equivalents
- AQA GCSE 8700 AO1 (close equivalent — also covers synthesis across two texts, which Edexcel’s AO1 doesn’t)
- FS English L2 Reading (functional-comprehension equivalent)
Awarding-body notes
Tested through both the anthology text (with which students will have prepared) and one previously unseen extract. Onscreen assessment is available for this component from 2023.