What are the assessment Objectives for GCSE Drama?
Is quality of written communication assessed in Drama?
How should I organise the teaching of the units?
Where can I access information and tips for CCEA GCSE Drama?
What will the examination test?
How are the internally assessed units assessed?
What should be recorded in the candidate notebook?
Are there any suggested plays teachers can use in all-boys schools?
Do you have any suggestions for plays teachers can use in co-ed schools?
What are the assessment Objectives for GCSE Drama?
There are four Assessment Objectives:
AO1: Candidates demonstrate the ability to make and devise a performance through selecting a, as appropriate, a range of drama texts (including texts from different times and cultures), drama forms, rehearsal methods and drama strategies and through making appropriate technical and design decisions.
AO2: Candidates demonstrate their ability to sustain a role through the appropriate use of performance skills.
AO3: Candidates demonstrate their ability to appraise their own and others’ contributions to (making and) performance.
AO4: Candidates demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of drama texts, in terms of costume, set, props, staging, rehearsal and performance.
Is quality of written communication assessed in Drama?
Quality of written communication refers to the candidate’s ability to:
- Present information in a form that meets its purpose
- Ensure that text is legible and that spelling , grammar and punctuation are accurate so that meaning is clear
- Use a suitable structure and style of writing.
Quality of Written Communication will be assessed through the externally assessed component (written examination).
How should I organise the teaching of the units?
Teachers are free to organise the teaching of the content as they think appropriate but should be aware that this specification has been designed, where possible , to allow work done in the Internally Assessed Components to contribute as preparation for the Externally Assessed Component.
Where can I access information and tips for CCEA GCSE Drama?
Information and tips for GCSE Drama can be found in GCSE Drama Examination Support Package for Teachers.
What will the examination test?
Question (a): Candidates will be presented with a 15 line extract from their set text. They will be asked to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of costume or set by producing a clearly annotated sketch of a costume for a specified character from the extract or a clearly annotated ground /plan of a set for the extract. The annotated sketches should be accompanied by a short paragraph explaining and justifying their choices.
Question (b): Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by writing performance notes for an extract from their set text. They will be asked to imagine that they are the director of the play and will be asked to write notes on every line of the extract to help their actors play their roles in a way that is appropriate to the action, period and setting of the play. The notes should refer to voice, movement, gesture, facial expressions, mood and atmosphere.
Question (c): candidates will be expected to give and justify examples of how they used/would use rehearsal methods and drama strategies to explore an aspect of their set text (eg suspense, humour, a particular character). The question will refer to the whole play.
Question (d): In this closed book examination candidates will be asked to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by referring to their text in explaining how some of voice, movement, gestures, facial expression, costume and props contributed to their portrayal of the character(s).
How are the internally assessed units assessed?
For each internally assessed unit candidates will prepare a performance and perform it to an audience. Candidates must keep a notebook recording and appraising the work they do during the course of each unit. The internally assessed units target AO1, AO2 and AO3 and are assessed in terms of: Preparation, Development, Performance and Final Appraisal.
What should be recorded in the candidate notebook?
The candidate notebook should be used to record a brief account of activities undertaken by candidates and an evaluation of their own and others’ contributions. It should be at least the equivalent of one side of A4 and no more than the equivalent of three sides. The notebooks of all candidates should be available at the time of moderation. The candidate notebook can be used to support the mark awarded for AO3 but will not be assessed as a piece of work on its own.
Where can I find a list of suggested plays suitable for use in All-Boys schools?
Some teachers have suggested these texts.
Where can I find a list of suggested plays suitable for use in Co-Ed schools?
Some teachers have suggested these texts.