Component adjustments

If it is not possible to complete the Product Realisation stage for the component, the candidate should try to produce a prototype or model of the product they were planning to make. If it is not possible to produce a model or prototype, the candidate should be able to complete all other aspects of the project. You should send photos of each candidate’s prototype only, rather than the actual prototype, when you submit the candidate’s work. Each candidate should, as part of their portfolio, make sure they show detailed designs and photos of them making the prototype, annotating their work. Although it may not be possible to test the actual product, each candidate should consider any findings through the production of their model or prototype that could lead them to propose further modifications, suggest alternative materials, or identify strengths and weaknesses. In their evaluation, each candidate should mention points of reflection/issues arising and how they would propose solutions to these issues. They can refer back to their initial specification or designs.

When marking the work and preparing paperwork to send to us, please give a mark for the parts of the project the candidate has completed. Give a mark of 0 for the parts of the project they have not completed. We will determine the candidate’s mark for these sections during external moderation.

Candidates should make full use of the materials available to them when developing and creating their product. This includes materials they may have at home or outside of the centre, such as textiles. However, it must be possible to assess the outcome using the coursework assessment criteria in the syllabus.

Candidates should still be able to identify a need or opportunity with an analysis leading to a design brief. If relevant, candidates can identify a need or opportunity based on the current situation. If a candidate cannot access the resources they need to do their research, you can provide them with research materials to choose from.

Paper 1 Written Examination

If it has not been possible for candidates to complete any group devised work in your centre, please apply for permission not to respond to the questions in Section C: Devised piece. If you receive permission to do this, the candidate should not respond to the two questions in Section C on devised drama. We will work out the candidate’s mark for these questions during marking. If you receive permission to do this, candidates who are not responding to Section C should have their exam time reduced to a length of 1 hour 50 minutes. You will receive more information about this if you apply for this component adjustment.

Paper 2 Coursework

For the individual piece, candidates can be recorded performing at home or in a setting outside 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 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 can 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 can 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 can submit a second Individual Piece.

We recognise that in some cases candidates may not be able to fulfil the following requirement for component 02 (Performing):

(ii) sing or play in an ensemble – either one piece or two short contrasting pieces (which should be on the same instrument – but this does not need to be the same instrument as that offered for individual performing).

In specific cases where candidates are not able to fulfil this requirement, they may complete part (i) of the component requirements only:

(i) sing or play individually – either one piece or two short contrasting pieces (which should be on the same instrument).

The total playing time for parts (i) and (ii) should be between 4 and 10 minutes. Where candidates are only able to complete part (i) of this component, it is not necessary to extend the duration of part (i) to reach the usual minimum playing time of 4 minutes. However, in these cases the total playing time should not be less than 2 minutes.

When marking the candidate’s task and completing paperwork, please only provide a mark for the performance the candidate has completed. This means that if the candidate has only completed the individual performance, you should record a mark out of 25 for this performance. Do not record a mark for the ensemble performance. We will adjust the candidate’s mark during external moderation to account for this.

Candidates should complete one physical activity only from those listed in the syllabus. There is therefore no requirement for the candidate to cover two areas. Teachers should mark the one physical activity according to the marking criteria. Do not adjust the mark to account for other physical activities or for reduced evidence. This means that you should record one physical activity and its mark out of 25 on the Coursework Assessment Summary Form and submit this mark for the component.

The teacher can assess activities outside the centre’s curriculum (where students have developed ability through other providers, for example a local club). However, in all cases the activity must be on the list of activities in section 2 of the Coursework Guidelines. You can find the Coursework Guidelines on the syllabus page of our website.

A person who is not the candidate’s teacher may record them completing the physical activity. However, the recording must be completed according to the requirements of the Coursework Guidelines. It must include all the information we specify is needed in the recording.

In all cases, the teacher is responsible for monitoring, assessing and standardising the candidate’s work according to the criteria in the Coursework Guidelines.

You must provide evidence of all the work of all candidates using the component adjustment. You must send this in addition to the usual sample.

If it is not possible to complete Product Realisation stage for the component, the candidate should try to produce a prototype or model of the product they were planning to make. If it is not possible to produce a model or prototype, the candidate should be able to complete all other aspects of the project. You should send photos of each candidate’s prototype only, rather than the actual prototype, when you submit the candidate's work. Each candidate should, as part of their portfolio, make sure that they show detailed designs and photos of them making the prototype, annotating their work. Although it may not be possible to test the actual product, each candidate should consider any findings through the production of their model or prototype that could lead them to propose further modifications, suggest alternative materials, or identify strengths and weaknesses. In their evaluation, each candidate should mention points of reflection/issues arising and how they would propose solutions to these issues. They can refer back to their initial specification or designs.

When marking the work and preparing paperwork to send to us, please give a mark for the parts of the project the candidate has completed. Give a mark of 0 for the parts of the project they have not completed. We will adjust the candidate’s mark for these sessions during the external moderation.

Candidates should make full use of the materials available to them when developing and creating their product. This includes materials they may have at home or outside of the centre, such as textiles. However, it must be possible to assess the outcome using the coursework assessment criteria in the syllabus.

Candidates should still be able to identify a need or opportunity with an analysis leading to a design brief. If relevant, candidates can identify a need or opportunity based on the current situation. If a candidate cannot access the required resources to do their research, you can provide research material for them to choose from.

Candidates can produce one investigative item or piece of coursework, instead of three pieces. You should still submit an accompanying folder demonstrating the candidate’s research, planning, implementation and evaluation for this item (approximately 1000 words).

Wherever possible, candidates should complete both parts (i) and (ii) of the component, using the guidance below. If the candidate is not able to complete both parts of the component, you should apply for permission to complete one of the parts only. When you are marking the component and completing the forms, you should only mark the part the candidate has been able to complete. Do not provide marks for parts of the component that the candidate has not been able to complete.

For part (i) Performing, there is no compulsory requirement to perform in an ensemble. Candidates may therefore perform solo work if ensemble work is not possible. They may use a backing track.

For part (ii) Composing, handwritten scores are accepted and free composition or music notation software is readily available for candidates to download. Candidates could record the composition using a mobile phone or auto-playback generated by their computer. Submit the recording to us in a file type specified on the samples database.

Candidates may complete one physical activity only from those listed in the syllabus as available for the component. Candidates must also complete an Action Plan (see below). There is therefore no requirement for the candidate to cover two areas. Teachers should mark the one physical activity according to the marking criteria. They should not adjust the mark to account for other physical activities or for reduced evidence.

On the Coursework Assessment Summary Form, you should record one physical activity and its mark out of 30. Also give a mark out of 30 for the Action Plan. You should submit a mark out of 60 for the component: combine the mark for the physical activity out of 30 and the mark for the Action Plan out of 30.

A person who is not the teacher may record candidates completing this physical activity. However, the recording must be completed according to the requirements of the Coursework Guidelines. It must also include all the information we specify. You can find the Coursework Guidelines on the syllabus page of our website.

In all cases, the teacher is responsible for monitoring, assessing and standardising the candidate’s work according to the criteria in the Coursework Guidelines.

Candidates may complete their Action Plan based on any of the physical activities listed in the syllabus as available for this component, apart from Weight Training.

You must provide evidence of all the work of all candidates using the component adjustment. You must send this in addition to the usual sample.

Candidates can complete one physical activity only from any of those listed in the syllabus as available for the component. Candidates must also complete an Evaluation and Appreciation of Performance (see below). There is therefore no requirement for the candidate to cover two areas. Teachers should mark the one physical activity according to the marking criteria. They should not adjust the mark to account for other physical activities or for reduced evidence.

On the Coursework Assessment Summary Form, you should record one physical activity and its mark out of 30. Also record a mark out of 30 for the Evaluation and Appreciation of Performance. You should submit a mark out of 60 for the component: combine the mark for the physical activity out of 30 and the mark for the Evaluation and Appreciation of Performance out of 30.

A person who is not the teacher can record candidates completing this activity. However, the recording must be completed according to the requirements of the Coursework Guidelines. It must also include all the information we ask for. You can find the Coursework Guidelines on the syllabus page of our website.

In all cases, the teacher is responsible for monitoring, assessing and standardising the candidate’s work according to the criteria in the Coursework Guidelines.

Candidates can complete their Evaluation and Appreciation of Performance based on any of the physical activities listed in the syllabus as available for this component.

Candidates can if necessary complete their Evaluation and Appreciation of Performance based on a pre-recorded performance. The pre-recorded performance should be one that the candidate has not seen before, e.g. a recording of another candidate. Centres should include a note in their coursework submission to explain that this was necessary. Centres should also include a copy of the pre-recorded performance. The candidate should be recorded by the teacher during their oral presentation in the usual way.

You must provide evidence of all the work of all candidates using the component adjustment. You must send this in addition to the usual sample.