GCSE Music: Teacher online standardisation (Component 3) and example work index

As students prepare to submit their non-exam assessment (NEA) in May, for Component 3, we recommend reviewing your marking against the lead moderator’s samples using  AQA’s Teacher online standardisation (T-OLS) tool.

Using T-OLS before you begin marking or during internal standardisation helps you build confidence, ensures greater consistency and reduces the risk of moderation adjustments.

T-OLS is available on Centre Services and provides clear examples that reflect the marking standard. Engaging with this resource will help ensure you and your team are fully aligned with the expected marking approach before assessment marking and internal standardisation take place.

Log in or register for myAQA to get started. When you register, your exams officer will need to review your registration, then you’re ready to go.

Standardisation index

To help you find the examples you need and identify the marked work, use our standardisation index found on our website under Assessment resources.

• GCSE Music (8271/C)

NEA submission

For summer series you will need to upload NEA sample files and corresponding admin documentation to us digitally on Centre Services using Centre Marks Submission, so the same place where you submit your NEA marks.

Find detailed guidance on how to upload NEA sample files, including the candidate record forms, centre declaration sheet and corresponding paperwork for components 2 and 3 for the requested sample once marks have been submitted. The guidance documents on our NEA pages also have helpful questions and answers to support you.

Component 2 Performing: In all cases, the recording of the performances uploads must be included by one or more of the following documents, as appropriate to the type of performance: notated score, lead sheet, guide recording and/or annotation.

Component 3 Composing: In all cases the audio recording of the composition uploads must include the programme note and one or more of the following documents: staff notated score, lead sheet and/or aural guide.

We have guidance on the NEA requirements for GCSE Music Components 2 and 3. The guides can be found in Assessment resources on our GCSE Music pages.

• Email a copy of the performance duration declaration form and NEA, fieldwork, live performance and practical declaration form to us separately at NEAdeclaration@aqa.org.uk by 15 May
• The deadline to submit NEA marks for GCSE Music is 7 May.

If you have any questions, you can contact our customer support team at music@aqa.org.uk.