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GCSE Music8271

Non-exam assessment (NEA) for summer 2025

NEA work samples for this subject are now submitted online using Centre Marks Submission on Centre Services. Read the guidance on submitting NEA.

2.0 Specification at a glance

This qualification is linear which means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

2.1 Subject content

Core content

2.2 Assessments

Component 1: Understanding music

What's assessed

  • Listening
  • Contextual understanding

How it's assessed

Exam paper with listening exercises and written questions using excerpts of music.

Questions

  • Section A: Listening – unfamiliar music (68 marks)
  • Section B: Study pieces (28 marks)
The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks (96 marks).

Component 2: Performing music

What's assessed

Music performance

How it's assessed

As an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or via technology:

  • Performance 1: Solo performance (36 marks)
  • Performance 2: Ensemble performance (36 marks) .

A minimum of four minutes of performance in total is required, of which a minimum of one minute must be the ensemble performance.

This component is 30% of GCSE marks (72 marks) .

Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA. Performances must be completed in the year of certification.

Component 3: Composing music

What's assessed

Composition

How it's assessed

  • Composition 1: Composition to a brief (36 marks)
  • Composition 2: Free composition (36 marks) .

A minimum of three minutes of music in total is required.

This component is 30% of GCSE marks (72 marks) .

Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA.