How is the AQA GCSE Music composing component assessed?

Composing is Component 3, a non-exam assessment worth 30% of the GCSE. You submit two compositions totalling at least four minutes: one in response to a brief set by AQA (released in the September of the final year) and one free composition in any style. Each must be at least one minute long and submitted with a score or written account plus a recording.

What is the difference between the two AQA GCSE Music compositions?

One composition responds to an externally set AQA brief, so it must follow the brief's purpose, instrumentation and style restrictions. The other is a free composition with no brief, where you choose the style, resources and structure yourself. Both must show clear structure, effective use of the elements, and ideas that are developed rather than just stated once.

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Composing overview: the AQA GCSE Music composition NEA - AQA GCSE Music

A complete overview of the AQA GCSE Music composing component, covering the two compositions, the externally set brief, free composition and the techniques for developing musical ideas.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.88 min readComponent 3: Composing musicUpdated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What Component 3 requires
The three core skills
How compositions are marked
How to prepare
Test yourself

Composing is the second practical component of AQA GCSE Music (8271), called Component 3: Composing music. It is non-exam assessment worth 30% of the GCSE. You submit two compositions totalling at least four minutes, both marked by your teacher and moderated by AQA. This overview maps the requirements and links to a focused page on each.

What Component 3 requires

You write two compositions: one to an AQA-set brief and one free composition of your own choice. Each must be at least one minute long, and together they must total at least four minutes. Each is submitted with a score or detailed written account and a recording, by the AQA deadline.

The three core skills

Composing to a brief: Respond to one of the AQA briefs, released in the September of your final year and usually linked to an area of study. Read the brief carefully, follow its restrictions, and plan a structure that fits.
Free composition: Write a second piece in any style and for any resources, showing imagination alongside technical control.
Developing musical ideas: Turn a short motif into a full piece using repetition, sequence, inversion, augmentation, diminution, transposition, modulation and variation of texture and instrumentation.

How compositions are marked

Examiners reward a clear structure, effective use of the elements, ideas that are developed rather than just stated, technical control of harmony and texture, and accurate notation or a detailed written account.

How to prepare

Start from a strong idea. A memorable motif, riff or chord progression gives you material to develop.
Plan the structure first. Decide the key, instruments and shape before writing in detail.
Develop, do not just repeat. Apply development techniques so the music goes somewhere.
Present it properly. Submit a clear score or written account and a clean recording.

Test yourself

Once you have read the three skill pages, try the composing overview quiz to check your recall.

Sources & how we know this

AQA GCSE Music (8271) specification — AQA (2016)