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.

What this dot point is asking

OCR A-Level Art and Design is assessed entirely by coursework, across two components, both marked against the same four assessment objectives. This dot point sets out what each component is worth, how the objectives distribute the marks, and how OCR's performance band grid turns a portfolio into a number. Knowing the marking model is the first practical skill, because it tells you where to spend your effort and how to read your own work against the grid.

The two components

There is no sit-down written exam. Assessment is two coursework components, both internally marked by the centre and externally moderated by OCR.

• Component 01 Personal Investigation is 120 marks (60 percent). It is a sustained, independent practical portfolio on a theme of your choosing, accompanied by a related study of at least 1000 words of continuous writing exploring the context of the practical work. The related study is part of this component, not a separate exam.
• Component 02 Externally Set Task is 80 marks (40 percent). OCR releases a question paper of broad starting points on or after 1 February of the final year; you develop preparatory work, then produce your final outcome in 15 hours of supervised time.

How the objectives distribute the marks

Within each component the four objectives are equally weighted, so each carries a quarter of that component's marks. In the Personal Investigation that is 30 marks per objective (4 by 30 equals 120); in the Externally Set Task it is 20 marks per objective (4 by 20 equals 80). Every piece of work is judged against all four, so a balanced project must give each objective genuine evidence.

The performance band grid

OCR marks each objective against a performance band grid. The bands rise in demand, and the verbs in the descriptors are the test. A lower band describes work that is "limited" or "basic" and largely descriptive; a middle band describes work that is "competent" and "considered"; the top band describes work that is "sustained", "focused", "analytical", "critical" and "fully realised". To place your own work, find the band whose words match what you have done, then make the change the next band up describes.

Why balance beats raw skill

The most common reason a skilful candidate gets a middle grade is imbalance: leaning on a strong skill (often drawing or polished outcomes) and neglecting investigation or experimentation. Because the four objectives are equal, that caps three quarters of the marks. A candidate who draws superbly but never reviews experiments (AO2) or develops a focused enquiry (AO1) cannot reach the top grade, however accomplished the drawing.

Try this

Q1. State the marks and weighting of each component and the A-Level total. [Knowledge recall]

• Cue. Personal Investigation 120 marks (60 percent); Externally Set Task 80 marks (40 percent); A-Level total 200 marks.

Q2. Explain why a candidate who draws superbly but rarely reviews experiments cannot reach the top grade. [Short explanation]

• Cue. The four objectives are equally weighted at 25 percent; superb drawing mainly evidences AO3, so neglecting AO2 (review and refine) and a focused AO1 enquiry caps three quarters of the marks. Balance across all four, not one strength, drives the grade.