How is Eduqas Component 2 assessed by a visiting examiner, and what do the performer and designer routes require in this component?
Text in Action assessment: external assessment by a visiting examiner who marks the two live performances, the performer and designer routes, and how the process and evaluation report combines with the practical work across AO1, AO2 and AO4.
How Eduqas Component 2 is assessed: a visiting examiner externally marks the two live performances, the performer and designer routes apply as in Component 1, and the process and evaluation report combines with the practical work across AO1, AO2 and AO4 over 120 marks.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
Component 2 is externally assessed by a visiting examiner who comes to the centre and marks the two live performances. As in Component 1, you may take the performer or the designer route. The process and evaluation report is assessed alongside the practical work, so the component covers AO1, AO2 and AO4 across 120 marks. This page is about how the assessment works and what each route requires, so you know where the marks come from.
The answer
The visiting examiner
A visiting examiner appointed by Eduqas comes to the centre and externally assesses the two live performances. This is different from Component 1 (internally assessed, externally moderated): here the external examiner sees and marks the work directly, where possible.
Performer and designer routes
As in Component 1, you choose a route:
- Performer: realise the devised piece and the scripted extract through vocal and physical acting skills.
- Designer: realise them through one design discipline (set, costume, lighting or sound).
The route applies to both pieces, and both routes are assessed on realising artistic intention (AO2).
How the marks combine
The component carries three objectives. The live performances are the main AO2 evidence; the process and evaluation report carries AO1 and AO4. Together they cover creating and developing (AO1), realising in performance (AO2), and analysing and evaluating (AO4).
If a centre's group performs a devised piece and a scripted extract for the visiting examiner, the examiner marks the realisation live (AO2), while the report submitted with the work supplies the AO1 and AO4 evidence. A designer would be assessed on the realised design for both pieces in the same way.
Try this
Q1. Who assesses Component 2, and what do they mark? [2 marks]
- Cue. A visiting examiner appointed by Eduqas, who externally marks the two live performances at the centre.
Q2. Name the two routes in Component 2 and what each realises the pieces through. [2 marks]
- Cue. The performer route (vocal and physical acting) and the designer route (one design discipline: set, costume, lighting or sound); the route applies to both pieces.
Q3. Explain how Component 2 is assessed and how the practical work and the report contribute. [8 marks]
- What the marker wants. A visiting examiner assesses the two live performances (main AO2 evidence); the process and evaluation report carries AO1 and AO4; together they cover AO1, AO2 and AO4 across 120 marks (AO1, AO2 and AO4).
A note on application
This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed. The assessment arrangements, routes and criteria are set by Eduqas and reviewed periodically, so always confirm the current Component 2 assessment requirements with your centre and the Eduqas specification.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas A690 guidance8 marksExplain how Component 2 is assessed and how the practical work and the report contribute. [8]Show worked answer →
An explanation task on the assessment of Component 2 (AO1, AO2 and AO4).
Method. State that a visiting examiner externally assesses the two live performances (AO2), and that the process and evaluation report carries AO1 and AO4 alongside, the whole worth 120 marks (40 per cent).
Develop. The top band explains how the live performance and the written report together cover AO1, AO2 and AO4, and that the examiner sees the work live where possible. Weak answers omit the report or the examiner.
Eduqas A690 guidance8 marksExplain the difference between the performer route and the designer route in Component 2. [8]Show worked answer →
An explanation task on the two routes (AO1).
Method. Define the performer route (realising the pieces through vocal and physical acting) and the designer route (realising them through a design discipline), noting both meet the same demands and are assessed on realising artistic intention.
Develop. A strong answer notes the routes apply to both the devised piece and the scripted extract and share the AO2 focus. Weaker answers describe acting and design generically.
Related dot points
- Component 2 Text in Action: two performances from a WJEC stimulus (a devised piece influenced by a different practitioner and an extract from a professionally produced text in a contrasting style) plus a process and evaluation report, assessed by a visiting examiner (AO1, AO2 and AO4).
An Eduqas A-Level Drama and Theatre guide to Component 2 Text in Action: a devised piece influenced by a different practitioner and a performance of an extract from a professionally produced text, both from a WJEC stimulus, plus a process and evaluation report, assessed by a visiting examiner over 120 marks (40 per cent) against AO1, AO2 and AO4.
- Devising from the set stimulus: interpreting the WJEC stimulus, generating and shaping original material through a different practitioner's working methods, and developing it into a coherent devised performance with a clear intention for the audience (AO1 and AO2).
How to devise the Eduqas Component 2 piece from a WJEC stimulus: interpreting the stimulus, generating and shaping original material through a different practitioner's methods, and developing it into a coherent devised performance with a clear audience intention, to earn AO1 and AO2.
- The scripted extract from a professional text: choosing and performing an extract from a professionally commissioned or produced text in a style contrasting with the devised piece, realising a clear interpretation as a performer or designer (AO1 and AO2).
How to perform the Eduqas Component 2 scripted extract: choosing an extract from a professionally commissioned or produced text in a style that contrasts with the devised piece, and realising a clear interpretation through performance or design choices, to earn AO1 and AO2.
- The process and evaluation report for Component 2: documenting how the devised piece was created and developed, and analysing and evaluating your own work and the work of others, connecting theory and practice, so the written evidence supports AO1 and AO4.
What the Eduqas Component 2 process and evaluation report must contain: documenting the creation and development of the devised piece, and analysing and evaluating your own and others' work while connecting theory and practice, written as evidence of process to earn AO1 and AO4.
- The assessment objectives and weightings: AO1 (create and develop), AO2 (apply skills in performance), AO3 (knowledge of how theatre is made), AO4 (analyse and evaluate), their headline weightings, and how each is distributed across the three components.
The four Eduqas A-Level Drama and Theatre assessment objectives (AO1 create and develop, AO2 apply skills in performance, AO3 knowledge of how theatre is made, AO4 analyse and evaluate), their headline weightings of 20, 30, 30 and 20 per cent, and how they map onto the three components.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas A Level Drama and Theatre specification (A690) — Eduqas (WJEC) (2023)
- Eduqas A Level Drama and Theatre assessment grids — Eduqas (WJEC) (2025)