Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there any prohibited combinations for this award?
A. Yes, in any one series of examinations, a student may not take examinations on this specification with examinations on another governed by the same subject criteria.
Q. Do students need any prior attainment to be able to take this course?
A. Yes, students taking this course should have some basic skills in singing or playing an instrument.
Q. Are students assessed on the quality of their written communication?
A. Yes, examiners assess the quality of students’ written communication in their responses to questions or tasks that require extended writing. In particular, students must:
- select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to their purpose;
- ensure text is legible and that spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate so that meaning is clear; and
- organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
We assess the quality of written communication under AO3. We apply it to students’ answers in the listening and appraising tests where extended responses are required.
Q. What grades can students be awarded for this course?
A. We award GCSE qualifications on an eight grade scale from A*-G, with A* being the highest. For students who fail to attain a grade G, we report their results as unclassified (U).
Q. What Key Skills can students gain through studying this specification?
A. This specification provides opportunities for students to develop the following Key Skills:
- Communication;
- Information and Communications Technology;
- Improving Own Learning and Performance;
- Problem-Solving; and
- Working with Others.
