AQA Assessment
Welcome to the exam
Over the next few months you will be completing your exam prep, as we enter the final phase of your A level we would like to again highlight hoe your work will be assessed.
You will submit two project this year for your
60%
Component One:
Personal Study
coursework unit with both practical and written work
40%
Component Two:
Externally Set Assignment
Similar to the GCSE Art & Design examinations, but includes 15 hours of work under exam conditions at the very end of the course.
Project Model
Starting point
Research links and analytical drawings. Analysis should investigate the theme of the project. Studies should be objective, well observed and of a high technical standard. Think about what you want to concentrate on – form, colour, texture, enlarged sections and viewpoint etc. but do not waste time on studies that don’t add to your knowledge or repeat what you have already done in another media. Your own high quality photographs will add significantly to your research, but will not replace drawing completely, except in the Photography course.
Links and Initial Research
Initial research and critical links inform the development of your project, and eventually, the final piece. In Component One only, one of these links is made into an extended written piece of work called the Personal Study.
Written Personal Study (Component One only)
This is a very elaborate and extended critical link, which includes written work of between 1000 and 3000 words. It must be written in your own words and is informed by reading and primary source research. You will receive more details about this when you return from study leave.
Development
Development is the most important part of any project and should focus on ideas and elements that you have observed in your analytical studies and at some point will be informed by the critical link/s. Development must: show experimentation with media, explore ideas, could manipulate images, crop and enlarge images, try out composition ideas, investigate alternative designs. Interesting, personal and lively work of a high standard is expected.
Final piece
The final piece will show informed influence of the link/s and your own creativeideas. This should be a very highly finished and substantial piece of work, which logically and successfully concludes the project. You should plan to spend a minimum of 15 hours on this (for Component One, Component Two is set by the exam board).
Assessment
The Assessment Objectives for A Level are similar to those for GCSE. They are used for the marking of all units. When work is assessed each objective is given a mark out of 24, making a total out of 96 for each unit.
AO1
Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
AO2
Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
AO3
Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
AO4
Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
Homework +
Deadlines + Support
As you will have noted through out the year it is essential that you stay up to date and meet deadlines, producing good quality work throughout. As all of the work counts towards your final mark any missing coursework will simply result in a lower grade.
All students are expected to spend a minimum of five hours per week on their homework. This must be completed to the best of your ability and handed in on time. Students who fail to do this will be required to work in the department during their free time to complete the work. Students who cannot cooperate with this will incur the college’s intervention procedures and may be asked to leave the course.
Balance your workload. Do not let your part time job affect your work at college. Having good attendance and being on time is essential to your success. Ensure your work is well planned and ideas thought out. Organise yourself and the materials you need. Set high standards; do not accept anything less than your best this year.
Expand your skills. Try out new ideas and processes. Listen to advice. Feedback from staff will comment on strengths but will also highlight weaker areas and ways to improve. Attend support sessions if you are advised to do so. Use the facilities of the department in free time to extend coursework. Do all work set and keep to deadlines.
Art & Design support sessions will be on Tuesdays 3.45 - 4.45pm. During busy periods, or around dead- line dates, these may be extended to include other evenings, but this will be at the discretion of your teacher. There may also be additional support sessions for specific classes or activities.
Working with enthusiasm and dedication has helped many students to make huge developments during the second year.