The Externally Set Assignment (Component 2) - AQA A-Level Art and Design
An overview of the Externally Set Assignment (Component 2) for AQA A-Level Art and Design: the question paper of eight starting points released on or after 1 February, developing preparatory work across all four objectives, and producing the final outcome in 15 hours of supervised time, worth 96 marks and 40 percent.
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The Externally Set Assignment is Component 2 of AQA A-Level Art and Design, worth 96 marks and 40 percent. Unlike the Personal Investigation, the starting point is set by AQA, and the final outcome is made under supervised conditions. It is still marked against the same four assessment objectives, so the same creative process and the same independence apply.
What the Externally Set Assignment is
It has two parts, both marked against the four assessment objectives.
- Preparatory work developed over a centre-set period from one of AQA's starting points.
- A final outcome produced in 15 hours of supervised time.
The question paper
AQA releases the paper to centres on or after 1 February of the final year. The paper for each title contains eight broad starting points open to wide interpretation. You choose one and make a personal response to it.
Develop the preparatory work like a Personal Investigation
The preparatory work carries most of the component. Develop it across all four objectives: investigate the theme through contextual sources (AO1), explore and refine media (AO2), record first-hand (AO3), and plan toward a resolved response (AO4). End it with a clear, worked-out plan for the final piece.
The supervised period is for making
The 15 hours is for realising your planned outcome, not for deciding what to do. You can refer to your preparatory work, but the outcome is made there, unaided. Thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in a strong supervised period.
Why preparation decides the grade
Because the preparatory work carries AO1, AO2 and AO3 heavily, its depth largely sets the component mark, and a clear plan is what lets the supervised time succeed. The classic failure is entering the supervised period undecided and spending the hours deciding rather than making.
The detail, in the dot point
For the full mechanics, with worked examples and exam-style questions, see the dot point:
You may also want the marking model for both components:
For the official specification
AQA publishes the full Art and Design specification (7201 to 7206) and Externally Set Assignment guidance at aqa.org.uk. Always work from the current specification and the current set assignment, because the starting points change each year.