The Externally Set Task paper and preparatory period: the question paper released on or after 1 February, choosing a starting point, and developing preparatory work across all four objectives before the supervised time.

What this dot point is asking

The Externally Set Task is Component 02 of OCR A-Level Art and Design, worth 80 marks and 40 percent. It begins with a question paper released on or after 1 February, from which you choose one starting point and develop preparatory work, before making a final outcome in supervised time. This dot point is about the paper, the timing, and how to develop strong preparatory work across all four objectives, so you enter the supervised sessions with a clear plan.

The Externally Set Task in outline

The Externally Set Task is the second, smaller component, but it is still 40 percent of the A-Level and is assessed against all four objectives, exactly like the Personal Investigation. The difference is that the starting point is set by OCR rather than chosen by you, and the final outcome is made under supervised conditions. It has two parts: a preparatory period and the supervised time.

The question paper and choosing a starting point

The question paper contains a number of broad thematic starting points (single words or short phrases, sometimes with suggestions or quotations) designed to be open to many interpretations and all the endorsed titles. You choose one and make it your own. The choice matters: pick a starting point that genuinely interests you and that you can develop richly through both contextual study and practical work, because you will live with it through the whole preparatory period and the supervised time.

Developing the preparatory work

The preparatory work is where most of the component's development happens, and it is developed exactly like a Personal Investigation, across all four objectives. You investigate your chosen starting point through contextual sources (AO1), experiment with and refine media (AO2), record first-hand from primary sources (AO3), and plan toward a resolved final response (AO4). The preparatory work should build a focused line of enquiry from the starting point toward a clear plan for the final piece.

Why the preparatory work matters most

The preparatory work carries three of the four objectives heavily (AO1, AO2 and AO3 are largely evidenced there), and it determines the quality of the final outcome. Because the 15 hours of supervised time is for making the planned piece, not for deciding, the depth and focus of the preparatory work is what makes the supervised sessions succeed. A candidate who arrives with a thorough, focused preparatory portfolio and a clear plan can spend the supervised time realising a strong outcome; one who arrives undecided wastes the time deciding.

Try this

Q1. When is the Externally Set Task paper released, and what does the component comprise? [Knowledge recall]

• Cue. The paper is released on or after 1 February of the final year, with several broad starting points; the component (80 marks, 40 percent) comprises preparatory work over a centre-set period plus a final outcome made in 15 hours of supervised time, assessed against all four objectives.

Q2. Explain why thorough preparatory work is essential before the supervised time. [Short explanation]

• Cue. The preparatory work carries AO1, AO2 and AO3 heavily and must end with a clear plan; the 15 hours of supervised time is for making the planned outcome, not for deciding, so a focused, well-developed preparatory portfolio is what lets the supervised sessions realise a strong piece.