Specifications that use this resource:

Switching to AQA from OCR

To save you time and help you compare our GCSE Art and Design with the OCR specification, we’ve created some comparison tables.

These tables highlight the content and requirements side by side, so you can make the right choice for your students.

Let us know if you’d like to hear from us, we’ll send you everything you need to get started.

Assessment comparison

Component one

AQA – GCSE Art and Design

OCR ­ ­– GCSE Art and Design

Component 1

Component 1

Portfolio

Portfolio

No time limit

 

96 marks (60% of GCSE)

120 marks (60% of GCSE)

Component 1 – portfolio

A portfolio that, in total, shows explicit coverage of the four assessment objectives. It must include a sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the student’s course of study.

(Non-exam assessment set and marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA during a visit. Moderation will normally take place in June).

Students produce a portfolio of practical work showing their personal response to a set starting point, brief, scenario or stimulus. The portfolio may be presented in appropriate formats for the specification title they are following and chosen area of study, including sketchbooks, digital presentations, mounted sheets, maquettes, prototypes, animated work, scale models or illustrated written work.

The portfolio must provide evidence that the student has met all four assessment objectives.

Component two

AQA – GCSE Art and Design

OCR – GCSE Art and Design

Component 2

Component 2

Externally set assignment

Externally set assignment

Preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time

10-hour supervised time period

96 marks (40% of GCSE)

80 marks (40% of GCSE)

Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to their subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives.

(Non-exam assessment set by AQA; marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA during a visit).

Students respond to one of five themes, each with a range of written and visual starting points and stimuli. Students research, plan and develop ideas for their response to the option they have chosen, which they must then realise within the ten-hour supervised time period.

Subject content comparison

AQA – GCSE Art and Design

OCR – GCSE Art and Design

3.1 Knowledge and understanding

Art, craft and design

3.2 Skills

  • drawing
  • written annotation.

Fine art

3.3 Titles – students must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills in the subject content in ways appropriate to their chosen title:

  • art, craft and design
  • fine art
  • graphic communication
  • textile design
  • three-dimensional design
  • photography.

Graphic communication

 

Photography

3.4 Art, craft and design

Textile design

3.5 Fine Art

Three-dimensional design

3.6 Graphic communication

Critical and contextual studies

3.7 Textile design

 

3.8 Three-dimensional design

 

3.9 Photography

Further details

Art and Design progression

For GCSE Art and Design there are no prior learning requirements. However, the specification allows for progression from KS3 whilst providing a strong foundation for further study at AS and A-level, as well as vocational pathways. To support this progression, the assessment objectives, structure and titles are very similar to those detailed in the AS and A-level Art and Design specification.