aqa gcse music coursework percentage

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• Education, training and skills
• School curriculum
• Secondary curriculum, key stage 3 and key stage 4 (GCSEs)
• GCSE subject content and requirements
• GCSE subject-level conditions for 2022

GCSE subject-level conditions and requirements for music (2022)

Published 11 November 2021

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2021

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-subject-level-conditions-for-2022/gcse-subject-level-conditions-and-requirements-for-music-2022

Introduction

About this document.

This document is part of a suite of documents which sets out the regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in 2022.

We have developed these requirements with the intention that GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) should fulfil the following purposes:

• to provide evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content;
• to provide a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment; and
• to provide (if required) a basis for schools and colleges to be held accountable for the performance of all of their students.

Requirements set out in this document

This document sets out the GCSE Subject Level Conditions for Music (2022). These conditions will come into effect at 09:30 on 12 November 2021 for all GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Music for Learners completing the qualification in 2022, except where the General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework applies.

It also sets out our requirements in relation to:

• interpretation of the content document - an awarding organisation must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE(Music)1.1(c);
• assessment objectives - awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE(Music)1.2; and
• assessment - awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE (Music) 2.3.

With respect to all GCSE Qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Music in 2022, awarding organisations must also comply with:

• our General Conditions of Recognition , which apply to all awarding organisations and qualifications;
• our GCSE Qualification Level Conditions ; and
• all relevant Regulatory Documents .

With respect to GCSE qualifications in Music taken by Learners completing the qualification in 2023 and after, an awarding organisation must continue to comply with the GCSE Subject Level Conditions and Requirements for Music .

Subject Level Conditions

Gcse subject level conditions for music, condition gcse(music) 1: compliance with content requirements, gcse(music)1.1.

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Music which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must -

• comply with the requirements relating to that qualification set out in the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘Music GCSE subject content’ , document reference DFE-00703-2014,
• have regard to any recommendations or guidelines relating to that qualification set out in that document, and
• interpret that document in accordance with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

GCSE(Music)1.2

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Music which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must comply with any requirements, and have regard to any guidance, relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for that qualification which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Condition GCSE(Music) 2: Assessment

Gcse(music)2.1.

Condition GCSE4.1 does not apply to any GCSE Qualification in Music which an awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available.

GCSE(Music)2.2

In respect of the total marks available for a GCSE Qualification in Music which it makes available, an awarding organisation must ensure that -

• (a) 40 per cent of those marks are made available through Assessments by Examination, and
• (b) 60 per cent of those marks are made available through assessments that are not Assessments by Examination.

GCSE(Music)2.3

An awarding organisation must ensure that in respect of each assessment for a GCSE Qualification in Music which it makes available which is not an Assessment by Examination it complies with any requirements, and has regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Subject content requirements

Requirements in relation to subject content for gcse qualifications in music.

The subject content for GCSE Qualifications (graded 9 to 1) in Music is set out in the Department for Education’s Music GCSE subject content , document reference DFE- 00032-2016 (the ‘Content Document’).

Condition GCSE (Music)1.1(c) requires awarding organisations to interpret the Content Document in line with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, published by Ofqual.

We set out our requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE(Music)1.1(c) below.

Composition

An awarding organisation must interpret paragraph 8 of the Content Document as if a Learner may compose either freely as he or she chooses or in response to a brief or commission supplied by others.

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives - gcse qualifications in music.

Condition GCSE (Music)1.2 allows us to specify requirements relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for all GCSE Qualifications in Music.

The assessment objectives set out below constitute requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE (Music)1.2. Awarding organisations must comply with these requirements in relation to all GCSE Qualifications in Music they make available or propose to make available.

Assessment requirements

Requirements in relation to assessments for gcse qualifications in music.

Condition GCSE (Music) 2.3 allows us to specify requirements and guidance in relation to assessments which are not Assessments by Examination for GCSE Qualifications in Music.

We set out our requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE(Music)2.3 below.

Forms of non-examination assessment

Condition GCSE(Music)2.2(b) states that an awarding organisation must ensure that of the total marks available for a GCSE Qualification in Music, 60 per cent of those marks shall be made available through assessments which are not Assessments by Examination.

In respect of that 60 per cent, an awarding organisation must ensure that -

• (a) 30 per cent of the total marks available for the qualification are made available through tasks which assess a Learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to performance (the ‘Performance Assessment’), and
• (b) 30 per cent of the total marks available for the qualification are made available through tasks which assess a Learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to composition (the ‘Composition Assessment’).

The Performance Assessment

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Performance Assessment is designed and set to -

• (i) one minute and 30 seconds if all pieces are performed solo, or
• (ii) two minutes where including performance as part of an ensemble,
• (b) require each Learner to select, following discussion with the Centre which will deliver the assessment, the pieces of music that the Learner will perform during the assessment,
• (c) be taken by each Learner in the academic year in which that Learner expects to be awarded the qualification,
• (d) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated, and
• (e) assess assessment objective AO1 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must ensure that, in respect of each piece of music performed by a Learner in the Performance Assessment, the Centre which delivered that assessment provides the awarding organisation with -

• (a) a complete and unedited recording of the Learner’s live performance, and
• (b) where available, the score or lead sheet for that performance. [footnote 1]

In paragraph 7 of the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘Music GCSE subject content’ , document reference DFE-00703-2014, it is stated that Learners must make use of musical elements, techniques and resources to interpret and communicate musical ideas with technical control and expression through one or more of the following means -

• (a) playing music,
• (b) singing music,
• (c) improvising, or
• (d) realising music using music technology.

In its assessment strategy, an awarding organisation must demonstrate to Ofqual’s satisfaction that, with respect to each Performance Assessment, it has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the Level of Demand is consistent no matter which of those means is chosen by a Learner.

The Composition Assessment

An awarding organisation must ensure that each Composition Assessment is designed and set to -

• (i) in response to a brief set by the awarding organisation, and/or
• (ii) composed freely as the Learner chooses,
• (b) be taken under conditions specified by the awarding organisation, including, in particular, conditions which ensure that the evidence generated by each Learner can be Authenticated,
• (c) minimise the predictability of such assessments,
• (d) facilitate the comparability of such assessments, and
• (e) assess assessment objective AO2 in its entirety.

An awarding organisation must not communicate the brief(s) that it has set for each Composition Assessment to Centres before 1 September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.

An awarding organisation must ensure that each brief it sets for a Composition Assessment specifies the occasion or audience with reference to which the piece is to be composed.

An awarding organisation must ensure that, in respect of each piece of music composed by a Learner for the Composition Assessment, the Centre which delivered that assessment provides the awarding organisation with -

• (a) a complete recording of the piece, and
• (b) a score, lead sheet or written account of the composition, which has been produced by the Learner.

The Learner does not have to perform the piece of music which he or she has composed.

Marking of assessments

Evidence generated by a Learner in an assessment for a GCSE Qualification in Music which is not an Assessment by Examination may be marked -

• (a) by the awarding organisation or a person connected to the awarding organisation,
• (b) by a Centre, or
• (c) through a combination of (a) and (b).

In any event, the awarding organisation must demonstrate to Ofqual’s satisfaction in its assessment strategy that -

• (a) it has taken all reasonable steps to identify the risk of any Adverse Effect which may result from its approach to marking the assessments (and to moderation where appropriate), and
• (b) where such a risk is identified, it has taken all reasonable steps to prevent that Adverse Effect or, where it cannot be prevented, to mitigate that Adverse Effect.

Where, in circumstances in which a written score is not available, an awarding organisation allows the piece of music to be performed by the Learner, it must require an alternative to a written score to be submitted. Where an awarding organisation allows the performance, the alternative materials must be sufficient to allow assessors to make valid judgements against the marking criteria for the task.  ↩

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Showing 31 results

Scheme of work: pointers for success

Published 28 Sep 2023 | DOCX | 314 KB

Scheme of work: two years

Published 28 Sep 2023 | DOCX | 458 KB

Community link: Black History Month [icancompose.com]

Published 27 Jun 2022

Community link: Black history in music [ism.org]

Community link: helpful resources for music teachers [nateholdermusic.com]

Community link: Diversity & Inclusion in Music Teaching [musiciansunion.org.uk]

Subject specific vocabulary

Published 18 Mar 2022

Teaching guide: area of study 3 (summer 2022 series onwards)

Published 22 Nov 2021 | PDF | 631 KB

Teaching guide: listening library and musical elements

Published 27 Jul 2021 | PPTX | 633 KB

Teaching guide: area of study 2 (summer 2022 series onwards)

Published 29 Apr 2021 | PDF | 245 KB

Teaching guide: area of study 4 (summer 2022 series onwards)

Published 16 Dec 2020 | PDF | 3.3 MB

Teaching guide: area of study 1 (summer 2022 series onwards)

Published 23 Jul 2020 | PDF | 1.6 MB

Resource list: study pieces and listening list

Published 21 Mar 2019

Community link: BBC Bitesize [bbc.com]

Published 22 Aug 2018

Community link: The British Music Experience [britishmusicexperience.com]

Community link: Handel and Hendrix in London [handelhendrix.org]

Community link: Future DJs - services for schools [futuredjs.org]

Community link: BBC Music Ten pieces [bbc.co.uk]

Community link: Royal Opera House - resources [roh.org.uk]

Community link: DJ School UK - resources for schools [djschooluk.org.uk]

GCSE Music AQA – Revision Content

Browse Study Rocket's GCSE Music AQA free revision notes.

GCSE Music AQA – Topics

Which GCSEs Have Coursework?

In GCSE by Think Student Editor September 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

If you’re currently trying to decide which GCSEs you should take, it’s important to know whether the option you’re considering will involve coursework. Coursework is a useful way of showing your ability outside of taking written exams. Coursework can allow you to: take more responsibility for what you study, study a topic in more depth, and have more control over the pace at which you study.

To understand which subjects involve coursework and learn the percentage of coursework and exams in these subjects, keep reading this article.

Table of Contents

Do GCSEs still have coursework?

After new education plans were introduced in 2015, most GCSEs no longer include any coursework that count towards students’ final grades. Before this, there would be coursework tasks even in subjects such as maths and English.

In some subjects coursework was done through long written tasks, whereas in maths this was done through a handling data project and an applying mathematics task. In English Language, 40% of the end grade used to be from coursework. This was through assessment of speaking, listening and written assignments.

Despite the recent changes to the GCSE system, all creative and practical subjects do still have some level of coursework. This is because in certain subjects, like Art for example, coursework is necessary for students to demonstrate their talent at particular skills. The subjects that have coursework are Food Preparation & Nutrition, Drama, Art, Music, DT (Design Technology), and PE (Physical education).

What percentage of creative or practical GCSEs is coursework?

No GCSE is currently 100% coursework. There will always be some weighting placed on final exams. All of these final exams are written, apart from Art which is instead a creative project done under time pressure.

Also, it’s important to note that for the same subject, different exam boards may require different amounts of coursework. Make sure to find out which exam board your school uses for the particular subject you’re considering. If your school offers IGCSEs, have a read of this Think Student article to understand the difference between them and normal GCSEs.

Have a look at the table below which has information outlining what percentage of the GCSEs are coursework and exams. This data is from AQA’s website .

In each of these subjects, the type of task to be completed for coursework is completely different. Most exam boards refer to coursework as a non-exam assessment (NEA).  

What does GCSE coursework involve?

In the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE, the non-exam assessment mainly consists of a cooking practical. Students will have to prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes. The students will then have to write a report about their work and include photographic evidence. To find out more about the Food Preparation and Nutrition course, visit the AQA page .

For the coursework in Drama, there are two different components. One involves performing a group devised mini play and keeping a log of the creation process. The other involves performing two extracts from a play. To find out more about GCSE Drama, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Art, the coursework component consists of selecting and presenting a portfolio representative of their course of study. The portfolio must include one main project as well as a selection of other work from activities such as experiments, skills-based workshops, or responses to gallery visits. To find out more about GCSE Art, visit the AQA page .

In GCSE Music, students must do both an ensemble performance and a solo performance using the instrument of their choice (which can be voice). They must also create two different music compositions. To find out more about GCSE Music, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE DT, students must design and produce a product. This will involve investigating design possibilities, planning, creating their idea, and evaluating the end result. At school, students will have to use special equipment such as machines and saws. To find out more about GCSE DT, visit the AQA page .

For coursework in GCSE PE, students will be assessed through their performance in three different sports or physical activities of their choice. One has to be a team activity, one an individual activity, and the third either a team or individual activity. Students will also be assessed on their analysis and evaluation of their improvements in performance.  To find out more about GCSE PE, visit the AQA page .

Does GCSE Science have coursework?

GCSE Science doesn’t involve any graded coursework. However, there is a list of required practicals that students are supposed to complete. These science practicals will involve following instructions set out by the teacher to investigate materials or scientific principles.  Students will often have to write up the method and conclusion. It’s important that students try their best to understand these practicals as there will be questions about them that are worth several marks in the exams.

Does GCSE English have coursework?

GCSE English technically doesn’t have any coursework that has a weighting on the final grade. However, in English Language there’s a compulsory spoken language assessment that isn’t done at the same time as normal GCSE exams. It’s reported as a separate grade (either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified) and doesn’t contribute to the result of the GCSE English Language qualification. To learn more about the spoken language assessment, have a look at this AQA page .

For English Literature, despite there not being any coursework tasks, there are of course novels and poems that students need to become familiar with in order to pass the GCSE. This will have to be done throughout Year 10 and Year 11. Students might be set the homework of reading a couple of chapters for example.

What are some tips for completing GCSE coursework?

If you’re deciding to do one or multiple GCSE subjects that involve coursework, it’s crucial that you can be organised enough to complete them to the best possible standard. As seen from the table shown previously, coursework makes up a significant proportion of the final grade. To have the best chance at getting a high grade, you’ll need to put an adequate amount of time into the task and not treat it as trivial.

In GCSE Art in particular, there is a lot of work that will need to be completed throughout the two-year course. A lot of homework will end up being graded for coursework as they will go in your portfolio. GCSE Art is often said to be one of the most stressful GCSEs because of this constant pressure of getting work done on time out of school.

If you love art and want to continue studying it, it’s important to manage your time well and not post-pone completing tasks until the last minute. As soon as you start getting behind with work that needs completing, that’s when you’ll really start to struggle and make things harder for yourself. If you want to learn how to get a good grade in GCSE Art in general, check out this Think Student article .

Make sure that you always note down what you’ve got to get done and by what date. This could be in a physical planner, on an app on your phone, or on a digital calendar. Perhaps set a specific time each weekend to complete any remaining work that you didn’t manage to get done during the week. If you remain on schedule, you’ll significantly reduce any stress plus you’ll have a higher chance of producing your best quality work.