Here’s our pick of the best recently published GCSE English language and GCSE English literature revision guides (for all major boards, including AQA) for pupils in years 10 and 11 of secondary schools or studying the UK curriculum. We’ve whittled down the suggestions to one page, based on recommendations from students, KS4 teachers, heads of departments in the state and independent sectors, tutors and parents with homeschooling experience. Several publishers and authors dominate the lists – CGP revision guides are easy to follow, precise and accessible. They also work well for parents who want to help. Mr Bruff guides are very thorough and ideal to complement a student’s existing notes from English lessons, the Connell guides are useful as an extension to push the more able, and the William Lloydson kindle/audiobooks are excellent for students who can’t wait for GCSEs to finish.
GCSE English revision books – our recommendations
GCSE English language revision guides and books
GCSE English Language AQA Complete Revision & Practice – Grade 9-1 Course by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Language WJEC Eduqas Complete Revision & Practice by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Language AQA Reading Skills Workbook: Fiction (includes Answers) by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Language AQA Reading Skills Workbook: Non-Fiction (includes Answers) by CGP
New GCSE English Language Edexcel Revision Guide – for the Grade 9-1 Course by CGP
New GCSE English Language Edexcel Workbook – for the Grade 9-1 Course (includes Answers) by CGP
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA English Language Exam by Dominic Salles
Mr Bruff’s Guide to GCSE English Language by Andrew Bruff
Revise AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Revision Cards by Jonathan MorganGCSE English literature revision guides and books
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Language and Literature Complete Revision & Practice by CGP
New GCSE English Literature AQA Complete Revision & Practice – Grade 9-1 by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Literature WJEC Eduqas Complete Revision & Practice by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Literature Edexcel Unseen Poetry Guide by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Literature WJEC Eduqas Unseen Poetry Guide by CGP
Mr Bruff’s Guide to GCSE English Literature by Andrew Bruff
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Literature AQA Unseen Poetry Guide – Book 2 by CGP
The Art of Writing English Literature Essays: For GCSE by Neil Bowen
GCSE English Language and English Literature Grade 9-1 AQA Practice and Revision Guide by CollinsGCSE English literature text guides and revision books
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Text Guide – An Inspector Calls by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – An Inspector Calls Workbook (includes Answers) by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – An Inspector Calls Revision Question Cards by CGP
Mr Bruff’s Guide to ‘An Inspector Calls’ by Andrew Bruff
The Mr Salles Guide to An Inspector Calls: Because You Deserve Top Grades by Dominic Salles
The Connell Short Guide to J.B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls by David Hughes
New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Guide: Power & Conflict Anthology – for the Grade 9-1 Course by CGP
New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Workbook: Power & Conflict Anthology (includes Answers) by CGP
New 9-1 GCSE English: AQA Power & Conflict Poetry Anthology – Revision Question Cards by CGP
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare Text Guide – Macbeth by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare – Macbeth Revision Question Cards by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare – Macbeth Workbook (includes Answers) by CGP
Study and Revise for GCSE: Macbeth by Shelagh Hubbard
MACBETH: A Humorous Revision Guide for English Literature GCSE by William Lloydson. Ideal for pupils who can’t stand Macbeth. Can be put onto a phone or iPad.
Mr Bruff’s guide to ‘Macbeth’ by Andrew Bruff
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – A Christmas Carol Revision Question Cards by CGP
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Text Guide – A Christmas Carol by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – A Christmas Carol Workbook (includes Answers) by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Revision Question Cards by CGP
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Text Guide – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Workbook (includes Answers) by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare – Romeo & Juliet Workbook (includes Answers) by CGP
Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare Text Guide – Romeo & Juliet by CGP
New Grade 9-1 GCSE English Shakespeare – Romeo & Juliet Revision Question Cards by CGP
Mr Bruff’s guide to ‘Romeo and Juliet’by Andrew Bruff
Romeo and Juliet: in Full Colour, Cartoon Illustrated Format by Simon Greaves
Romeo and Juliet: A Humorous GCSE English Literature Revision Guide by William Lloydson
New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Guide: Love & Relationships Anthology – the Grade 9-1 Course by CGP
New GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Workbook: Love & Relationships Anthology (includes Answers) by CGP
New 9-1 GCSE English: AQA Love & Relationships Poetry Anthology – Revision Question Cards by CGPHighly recommended study guide – You Can’t Revise for GCSE English! Yes You Can, and Mark Roberts shows you how by Mark Roberts
A detailed, structured, and very practical method for tackling GCSE revision – both in the long term from the start of year 9 or 10, and once the final summer term begins in year 11. It doesn’t just tackle the curriculum content – there are sections on study skills organisation, how to memorise quotes, and how to cope with stress. The clear and varied layout, featuring easy to read text, tables, diagrams, bullet points, and endless exam-based examples makes this book a winner. Ideal for pupils who find it difficult to motivate themselves for revision.
Essay writing, spelling, and grammar guidance and books
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for Grade 9-1 GCSE Complete Study & Practice by CGP
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for Grade 9-1 GCSE Study Guide by CGP
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar for Grade 9-1 GCSE Workbook by CGP
GCSE English Writing Skills Study Guide – for the Grade 9-1 Courses by CGP
How to Write an Essay (The Connell Short Guide to) by Jonny Patrick
How to Write a Perfect Essay by Jonty PurvisGCSE English language and literature practice papers
New GCSE English Language AQA Practice Papers – for the Grade 9-1 Course by CGP
GCSE English Language and Literature AQA Practice Test Papers: GCSE Grade 9-1 (Letts GCSE 9-1 Revision Success)GCSE study skills advice and books
Revise GCSE Study Skills Guide by Rob Bircher
Revise GCSE Revision Planner by Rob Bircher
How to Revise for GCSE: Study Skills & Planner by CGP
Mind Maps for Kids – Study Skills by Tony Buzan
I Hate Revision: Study Skills and Revision Techniques for GCSE by Robert Blakey
Study Skills Essentials: Oxford Graduates Reveal Their Study Tactics by Patrick McMurrayStruggle with Shakespeare and GCSE literature books? Have a look at our list of graphic novel versions of GCSE English texts.
For GCSE wider reading suggestions, see our Books for KS4
For even more suggestions, see our daily new book recommendations on our Facebook page and our Twitter Feed.
