English “Paper 1” is usually between about 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the exam board and level. To give a useful answer, it helps to know which exam you mean (IB, HSC, IGCSE, GCSE, etc.).

Typical Paper 1 lengths

  • IB English A (Language & Literature / Literature):
    • SL Paper 1: about 1 hour 15 minutes of writing time.
* HL Paper 1: about 2 hours 15 minutes of writing time (two analyses).
  • HSC English (NSW, Australia) Standard/Advanced Paper 1:
    • Total exam: about 1 hour 40 minutes (10 minutes reading + 1 hour 30 minutes working time).
  • CIE IGCSE English Language Paper 1:
    • Exam: 2 hours, with three main questions based on reading and writing tasks.
  • IB (general guidance sometimes given):
    • Some guides refer to about 1 hour 30 minutes for Paper 1 practice, especially older or informal resources.
  • GCSE English Language Paper 1 (e.g., AQA, Edexcel – UK):
    • Commonly 1 hour 45 minutes for the full paper (reading + writing), though this can vary slightly by board.

Why there is confusion

  • Different systems reuse the phrase “English Paper 1” but mean different exams (IB vs HSC vs IGCSE vs GCSE).
  • Even within one system, Standard vs Higher, or different syllabuses, can change the exact timing slightly.

What you should do next

  • Check your exam board or syllabus name (for example “IB English A HL,” “HSC English Standard,” “CIE IGCSE 0500,” or “AQA GCSE English Language”).
  • Look at the official exam timetable or subject guide from your school or exam board to confirm the exact duration used this year.

If you tell which country, board, and level you are sitting, a much more precise time can be given for your exact English Paper 1.