GCSE Music exam boards and assessment structure
Your child’s school exam board matters. AQA, Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge OCR, Eduqas/WJEC and CCEA all involve practical and appraising skills, but they do not use identical component names, percentages, set works or paperwork. Tell the tutor the board at the first enquiry so lessons match the right specification and deadlines.
- AQA, Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge OCR examples use a 40% written/listening paper plus two 30% practical or creative components.
- Eduqas and CCEA use their own wording and areas of study, so the page should not treat every board as identical.
- For private candidates or unusual circumstances, exam-entry and NEA arrangements must be checked with the approved centre.
- AQA GCSE Music 8271
- Understanding Music is a 1 hour 30 minute exam worth 40%; Performing Music is NEA worth 30%; Composing Music is NEA worth 30%.
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music 1MU0
- Performing is 30%, Composing is 30%, and Appraising is a 1 hour 45 minute written exam worth 40%.
- Cambridge OCR GCSE Music J536
- Integrated portfolio is 30%, Practical component is 30%, and Listening and appraising is a 1 hour 30 minute written paper with audio recording worth 40%.
- Eduqas / WJEC
- Eduqas describes an integrated approach to performing, composing and appraising, with areas of study such as Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music and Popular Music.
- CCEA
- CCEA’s GCSE Music lists Performing and Appraising, Composing, and Listening and Appraising as its three components, with skills such as communication, self-management and problem-solving.
