Visual ArtsQ&A by dot point

Analysing artists and artworks using the formal elements and context, moving from description to analysis and critical judgement to inform your own practice.

Understanding art movements, periods and cultural contexts so you can place artists, recognise influences and draw on a wide range of sources for your own practice.

Building a visual vocabulary of formal elements and subject terminology so you can analyse, annotate and write about art with precision.

Using galleries, exhibitions and research methods to gather first-hand contextual sources, record responses and feed analysis into your own practice.

Developing drawing and painting skills, including observation, mark-making, tone, colour and composition, as core media for recording and realising ideas.

Using photography as a tool for primary research and as a creative medium, controlling composition, light and editing to record and develop ideas.

Exploring printmaking processes such as monoprint, relief, intaglio and screenprint to experiment with repetition, layering and surface in your investigation.

The titles and areas of study: the six endorsed AQA Art and Design titles (Art Craft and Design 7201, Fine Art 7202, Graphic Communication 7203, Textile Design 7204, Three-dimensional Design 7205, Photography 7206) and the disciplines and areas of study each covers, all sharing the same four assessment objectives.

Working in three dimensions and mixed media, combining materials and processes such as construction, modelling, assemblage and collage to extend ideas beyond the flat surface.

Developing ideas through sustained investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding, in line with Assessment Objective 1.

Exploring and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops, in line with Assessment Objective 2.

How the marks and components work: how AQA weights Component 1 the Personal Investigation (96 marks, 60 percent) and Component 2 the Externally Set Assignment (96 marks, 40 percent), and applies the four equally weighted assessment objectives across a holistic mark grid.

Presenting a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements, in line with Assessment Objective 4.

Recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses, in line with Assessment Objective 3.

How the Externally Set Assignment works: the question paper of eight starting points released on or after 1 February, choosing and developing one through preparatory work across all four objectives, and producing the final outcome in 15 hours of supervised time, worth 96 marks and 40 percent.

Choosing a theme and shaping a focused personal question for the Personal Investigation (Component 1) that can sustain sustained, original development across both assessment elements.

Selecting, sequencing and presenting a portfolio of work so that development across all four assessment objectives is clear, coherent and well communicated.

Sustaining and developing a project over an extended period, managing time, maintaining momentum and showing continuous development across all four assessment objectives.

Producing the written personal study (a continuous prose element of 1000 to 3000 words) that supports the Personal Investigation, integrating critical analysis with your own practice.