A-Level Spanish AQA A-Level Spanish Paper 3 Speaking
(7692/3T/3V) Marking Scheme 2026
1. According to the AQA A-level Spanish specification (7692), Paper 3 is worth:
- A) 20% of the A-level
- B) 25% of the A-level
- C) 30% of the A-level
- D) 40% of the A-level
Answer: C
Paper 3 (Speaking) is worth 60 marks, which constitutes 30% of the total A-level marks. The oral exam
lasts for 21–23 minutes, including 5 minutes’ preparation time. The other components are Paper 1
(Listening, Reading and Writing) worth 40% and Paper 2 (Writing) worth 30%.
2. The maximum length of the AQA A-level Spanish Paper 3 Speaking exam (including preparation time)
is:
- A) 18 minutes
- B) 21 minutes
- C) 23 minutes
- D) 25 minutes
Answer: C
The speaking test lasts 21–23 minutes, which includes 5 minutes of supervised preparation time. The
active speaking part of the exam usually takes 16–18 minutes. The examiner must strictly adhere to
these timings, as they are stipulated in the AQA specification for Paper 3.
3. During the preparation time for Paper 3, candidates are provided with:
- A) The stimulus card for Part 1 of the exam only
- B) The stimulus card and the IRP form
- C) The stimulus card and a dictionary
,- D) Nothing; the preparation is done mentally
Answer: A
During the 5‑minute supervised preparation period, candidates receive the AQA stimulus card (which
includes one main question and two bullet points) for Part 1 of the exam. They may also write notes on
a blank sheet of paper to refer to during the discussion. The IRP (Individual Research Project) discussion
is not covered by this preparation time, although candidates should have researched their chosen topic
well in advance.
4. How many marks are available for pronunciation in the AQA A-level Spanish speaking exam?
- A) 3 marks
- B) 4 marks
- C) 5 marks
- D) 6 marks
Answer: C
The AQA mark scheme awards up to 5 marks for pronunciation alone. This covers intonation, accent,
and clarity of spoken Spanish. Clear, natural, and accurate pronunciation that is easy for a sympathetic
native speaker to understand will achieve the highest level, while poor pronunciation that impedes
communication will be penalised accordingly.
5. How many marks are available for range and accuracy of vocabulary (lexical range and accuracy) in
the speaking exam?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: D
According to the official AQA mark scheme, lexical range and accuracy carries 8 marks. Candidates are
expected to use a broad range of vocabulary appropriate to an A‑level context, select precise words to
convey meaning, and avoid repetition of common words. Accuracy refers to spelling, gender agreement
and correct usages.
,6. How many marks are available for grammatical range and accuracy?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: D
Grammatical range and accuracy is also worth 8 marks. High‑scoring responses consistently use a variety
of tenses (present, past, future, conditional, subjunctive) correctly and without errors. Errors that do not
hinder communication are penalised less heavily than basic errors that obscure meaning.
7. In the AQA mark scheme, how many marks are available for response to questions and cultural
knowledge (knowledge and understanding of the Hispanic world)?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: C
Response to questions and cultural knowledge (often called ‘cultural knowledge and understanding’) is
worth 7 marks. Examiners look for answers that go beyond mere description and include well‑informed
facts, figures, examples and statistics relating to Spanish‑speaking countries to support arguments and
opinions.
8. How many marks are awarded for fluency and spontaneity (interaction and fluency)?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 32 marks
, Answer: B
Fluency and spontaneity is worth 6 marks. A fluent response is delivered at a natural pace with little
hesitation or repetition. Candidates who can speak without long pauses, self‑correct appropriately, and
engage reciprocally with the examiner (e.g. answering follow‑up questions naturally) will achieve the
higher levels of this criterion.
9. The maximum total mark for Paper 3 (Speaking) is:
- A) 40 marks
- B) 50 marks
- C) 60 marks
- D) 70 marks
Answer: C
Paper 3 has a total of 60 marks. This is made up of 32 marks for the stimulus card discussion (Part 1) and
28 marks for the Individual Research Project (Part 2). Part 1 marks are divided between Knowledge
(AO4: 7 marks), Response (AO2/AO3: 8 marks), Quality (AO1: 17 marks – including 8 for GR/AC, 6 for
FL/SP, 3 for PR). Part 2 marks are: AO1 (12), AO2 (8), AO3 (8).
10. In the AQA speaking exam, what is the recommended distribution of time for Part 1 (stimulus card)
and Part 2 (IRP)?
- A) Part 1: 10 minutes; Part 2: 6 minutes
- B) Part 1: 5–6 minutes; Part 2: 10–11 minutes
- C) Part 1: 8 minutes; Part 2: 8 minutes
- D) Part 1: 12 minutes; Part 2: 4 minutes
Answer: B
The total active speaking time is 16–18 minutes. Part 1 typically lasts 5–6 minutes and is a discussion
based on the stimulus card. Part 2 lasts approximately 10–11 minutes and comprises the candidate’s
presentation of their Individual Research Project (IRP) and a discussion with the examiner about the
topic.
11. The IRP (Individual Research Project) in Paper 3 was introduced to specifically assess which
assessment objective?
(7692/3T/3V) Marking Scheme 2026
1. According to the AQA A-level Spanish specification (7692), Paper 3 is worth:
- A) 20% of the A-level
- B) 25% of the A-level
- C) 30% of the A-level
- D) 40% of the A-level
Answer: C
Paper 3 (Speaking) is worth 60 marks, which constitutes 30% of the total A-level marks. The oral exam
lasts for 21–23 minutes, including 5 minutes’ preparation time. The other components are Paper 1
(Listening, Reading and Writing) worth 40% and Paper 2 (Writing) worth 30%.
2. The maximum length of the AQA A-level Spanish Paper 3 Speaking exam (including preparation time)
is:
- A) 18 minutes
- B) 21 minutes
- C) 23 minutes
- D) 25 minutes
Answer: C
The speaking test lasts 21–23 minutes, which includes 5 minutes of supervised preparation time. The
active speaking part of the exam usually takes 16–18 minutes. The examiner must strictly adhere to
these timings, as they are stipulated in the AQA specification for Paper 3.
3. During the preparation time for Paper 3, candidates are provided with:
- A) The stimulus card for Part 1 of the exam only
- B) The stimulus card and the IRP form
- C) The stimulus card and a dictionary
,- D) Nothing; the preparation is done mentally
Answer: A
During the 5‑minute supervised preparation period, candidates receive the AQA stimulus card (which
includes one main question and two bullet points) for Part 1 of the exam. They may also write notes on
a blank sheet of paper to refer to during the discussion. The IRP (Individual Research Project) discussion
is not covered by this preparation time, although candidates should have researched their chosen topic
well in advance.
4. How many marks are available for pronunciation in the AQA A-level Spanish speaking exam?
- A) 3 marks
- B) 4 marks
- C) 5 marks
- D) 6 marks
Answer: C
The AQA mark scheme awards up to 5 marks for pronunciation alone. This covers intonation, accent,
and clarity of spoken Spanish. Clear, natural, and accurate pronunciation that is easy for a sympathetic
native speaker to understand will achieve the highest level, while poor pronunciation that impedes
communication will be penalised accordingly.
5. How many marks are available for range and accuracy of vocabulary (lexical range and accuracy) in
the speaking exam?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: D
According to the official AQA mark scheme, lexical range and accuracy carries 8 marks. Candidates are
expected to use a broad range of vocabulary appropriate to an A‑level context, select precise words to
convey meaning, and avoid repetition of common words. Accuracy refers to spelling, gender agreement
and correct usages.
,6. How many marks are available for grammatical range and accuracy?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: D
Grammatical range and accuracy is also worth 8 marks. High‑scoring responses consistently use a variety
of tenses (present, past, future, conditional, subjunctive) correctly and without errors. Errors that do not
hinder communication are penalised less heavily than basic errors that obscure meaning.
7. In the AQA mark scheme, how many marks are available for response to questions and cultural
knowledge (knowledge and understanding of the Hispanic world)?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 8 marks
Answer: C
Response to questions and cultural knowledge (often called ‘cultural knowledge and understanding’) is
worth 7 marks. Examiners look for answers that go beyond mere description and include well‑informed
facts, figures, examples and statistics relating to Spanish‑speaking countries to support arguments and
opinions.
8. How many marks are awarded for fluency and spontaneity (interaction and fluency)?
- A) 5 marks
- B) 6 marks
- C) 7 marks
- D) 32 marks
, Answer: B
Fluency and spontaneity is worth 6 marks. A fluent response is delivered at a natural pace with little
hesitation or repetition. Candidates who can speak without long pauses, self‑correct appropriately, and
engage reciprocally with the examiner (e.g. answering follow‑up questions naturally) will achieve the
higher levels of this criterion.
9. The maximum total mark for Paper 3 (Speaking) is:
- A) 40 marks
- B) 50 marks
- C) 60 marks
- D) 70 marks
Answer: C
Paper 3 has a total of 60 marks. This is made up of 32 marks for the stimulus card discussion (Part 1) and
28 marks for the Individual Research Project (Part 2). Part 1 marks are divided between Knowledge
(AO4: 7 marks), Response (AO2/AO3: 8 marks), Quality (AO1: 17 marks – including 8 for GR/AC, 6 for
FL/SP, 3 for PR). Part 2 marks are: AO1 (12), AO2 (8), AO3 (8).
10. In the AQA speaking exam, what is the recommended distribution of time for Part 1 (stimulus card)
and Part 2 (IRP)?
- A) Part 1: 10 minutes; Part 2: 6 minutes
- B) Part 1: 5–6 minutes; Part 2: 10–11 minutes
- C) Part 1: 8 minutes; Part 2: 8 minutes
- D) Part 1: 12 minutes; Part 2: 4 minutes
Answer: B
The total active speaking time is 16–18 minutes. Part 1 typically lasts 5–6 minutes and is a discussion
based on the stimulus card. Part 2 lasts approximately 10–11 minutes and comprises the candidate’s
presentation of their Individual Research Project (IRP) and a discussion with the examiner about the
topic.
11. The IRP (Individual Research Project) in Paper 3 was introduced to specifically assess which
assessment objective?
