← Visual Arts syllabus

EnglandVisual Arts

The four assessment objectives

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you develop ideas through sustained and focused investigation informed by contextual sources for AO1?

AO1: develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
How to satisfy OCR A-Level Art and Design AO1: develop ideas through sustained and focused investigation, draw on contextual and other sources, and demonstrate analytical and critical understanding across the Personal Investigation and Externally Set Task.
14 min answer →

How do you explore, select and refine media to satisfy AO2 in OCR Art and Design?

AO2: explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
How to satisfy OCR A-Level Art and Design AO2: explore and select appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes, and review and refine ideas as work develops, with evidence of purposeful experimentation across the portfolio.
14 min answer →

How do you record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions for AO3?

AO3: record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
How to satisfy OCR A-Level Art and Design AO3: record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, through first-hand drawing, photography and notes, while reflecting critically on work and progress.
13 min answer →

How do you present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions for AO4?

AO4: present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
How to satisfy OCR A-Level Art and Design AO4: present a personal and meaningful response that realises your intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements, resolving the project into a coherent outcome.
13 min answer →

How are the components weighted and how does the OCR performance band grid turn a portfolio into a grade?

The marks and bands: how OCR weights the two components (Personal Investigation 120 marks and 60 percent; Externally Set Task 80 marks and 40 percent) and applies the four assessment objectives across a performance band grid.
How OCR A-Level Art and Design is marked: the two components and their weightings (Personal Investigation 120 marks, Externally Set Task 80 marks), how the four objectives are equally weighted, and how the performance band grid turns work into a grade.
13 min answer →