Paper 1 Written Examination
General guidance
You should continue to prepare for the exam, including the group devised work required to answer all questions on the exam paper. We know that it might be more difficult to complete the group work needed for preparing for this exam because of current circumstances. Please see ‘General guidance on practical drama preparation and performance’ below for advice on this.
Following feedback from centres, we will now allow candidates to answer in the written exam on any piece of group devised drama they have completed and performed during the course. If candidates cannot complete the component, apply for permission to use the following adjustment:
If it has not been possible to complete any group devised work in your centre, please apply for permission not to respond to the questions on the paper asking candidates to reflect on their performance of group devised work. If you receive permission to do this, the candidate should not respond to the affected questions (7, 8, 12, 13, 14). We will work out the candidate’s mark for these questions during marking.
Paper 2 Coursework
General guidance on practical drama preparation and performance
In circumstances where group interaction is restricted due to Covid-19, it may be possible to prepare and perform drama work by observing the following guidelines:
- The minimum group size for Cambridge IGCSE and IGCSE 9–1 is two candidates. Where the group size is two, candidates should aim for the lower end of the given time range for each piece. This would be roughly 8 to 10 minutes.
- Candidates may discuss and rehearse scripted and devised material wearing face shields rather than masks if necessary. These allow for better vocal expression and communication. However, where local regulations require students to wear face masks, these should be observed.
- Candidates may need to avoid pieces which require strongly physical-based performance and close interaction between performers.
- Pieces that require use of hand props should be rehearsed and performed with hand sanitiser available off stage, or with the performers wearing gloves. Props should be cleaned after use.
- Skilful use of proxemics may allow candidates to turn social distancing on stage into an element of artistic expression.
- Performances wearing face shields or masks can be accepted. However, if wearing face shields, make sure lighting does not result in glare completely obscuring facial expression. If candidates are wearing masks, teachers should not reduce the mark because of poor vocal projection. Moderators will take the difficulties candidates experience when performing in masks into account.
- If weather conditions permit, it may be possible to assess open air performances. Take care to define the performing space as for an indoor performance and make sure background noise is kept to a minimum. Actors will need to project more clearly, and sound recording will need to be checked for consistent levels.
- Submit the recordings to us in a file format specified on the Samples Database www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples for the component.
You need to apply for permission to use any of the following adjustments:
For the individual piece, candidates can be recorded performing at home or in a setting outside of the centre. The teacher must be able to authenticate the candidate’s work and see the candidate at all times during the performance. They must confirm that the candidate did not have access to any materials not normally permitted, such as a script. The performance can be pre-recorded, without an audience, but the camera must be static, with no editing of the footage. The recording of the performance cannot be repeated.
For the group piece, if candidates have not been able to complete both pieces, they may perform one of the group pieces only. Submit either the scripted or devised performance, depending on what they have covered. For the piece candidates have not performed, you should enter a mark of 0 on the Individual Candidate Mark Sheet. We will adjust the candidate’s mark when we moderate the work.
If it is not possible for a candidate to complete any group piece for coursework, they may complete a second Individual Piece. This should be a second scripted piece from a published play representing a different genre, style or period of drama from the first piece.
We will also not accept group performances where candidates are working remotely, whether live streamed or separately recorded. Candidates who are working remotely and unable to participate in any group performance may submit a second Individual Piece.