How is AQA GCSE Art and Design assessed?

There is no traditional written exam. Assessment is two components, both marked against the same four assessment objectives. Component 1 is the portfolio, a sustained body of coursework worth 60%. Component 2 is the Externally Set Assignment, worth 40%, a project responding to an AQA-set theme that ends in a 10-hour supervised exam. Both components are internally marked by your teacher and externally moderated by AQA.

What is the portfolio (Component 1)?

The portfolio is a selected, sustained body of work, usually one or more projects, that together demonstrate all four assessment objectives. It is worth 60% of the GCSE. It must include the journey (development, experiments and recording) as well as final outcomes, because the four objectives are equally weighted. A balanced portfolio that shows a clear line of enquiry scores better than a set of polished but undeveloped final pieces.

What is the Externally Set Assignment (Component 2)?

The Externally Set Assignment is worth 40%. AQA releases a question paper of starting points from 1 January of the final year. You choose one and develop a preparatory project covering AO1, AO2 and AO3, then produce a final outcome in a 10-hour supervised exam, usually held over more than one session, which evidences AO4. The preparatory work and the final piece are marked together, so most of the marks are earned before the exam.

How important are the sketchbook and annotation?

Very. The sketchbook is where the four objectives come together and your creative journey becomes visible to a moderator. Annotation is the written explanation alongside the work. Strong annotation analyses, evaluates and plans rather than describing, and it should be written as you work, not added at the end. A well-kept sketchbook with purposeful annotation is the most reliable way to evidence development, experiments, recording and decisions.

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The portfolio and exam (Components 1 and 2) - AQA GCSE Art and Design

An overview of how AQA GCSE Art and Design is assessed: the Component 1 portfolio (60%), the Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (40%) with its 10-hour supervised exam, and how the sketchbook and annotation evidence all four objectives.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.89 min read8201-8206Updated 2026-06-02

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

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The two components
The portfolio
The Externally Set Assignment
The sketchbook and annotation
How to study this area
The topics, one by one
For the official specification

AQA GCSE Art and Design has no traditional written exam. Instead it is assessed by two components, both marked against the same four assessment objectives. Knowing how the portfolio and the Externally Set Assignment are structured, and how the sketchbook ties them together, lets you plan your two years rather than drift through them.

The two components

Component 1 - Portfolio (60%). A sustained body of coursework selected from what you make across the course, covering all four objectives.
Component 2 - Externally Set Assignment (40%). A response to an AQA-set theme, with a preparatory project and a 10-hour supervised exam for the final outcome.

Both are internally marked and externally moderated, and both are judged against AO1 to AO4.

The portfolio

The portfolio is not everything you make; it is a curated selection of your strongest sustained work. Because the four objectives are equally weighted, it must show the journey (development, experiments, recording) as well as final outcomes. A common failure is strong final pieces with thin development, so audit against all four objectives before you submit.

The Externally Set Assignment

The Externally Set Assignment works like a portfolio project on an AQA-set theme. The question paper of starting points is released from 1 January of the final year. You develop a preparatory project covering AO1, AO2 and AO3, then make the final outcome in a 10-hour supervised exam (over more than one session) to evidence AO4. The preparatory weeks carry most of the marks, so the exam is for executing a planned outcome, not inventing one.

The sketchbook and annotation

The sketchbook is where all four objectives can be evidenced together, and annotation is the written proof of your thinking. Annotate as you work, analyse and plan rather than describe, and keep the journey ordered so a moderator can follow it.

How to study this area

Plan across the two years, not project by project in isolation.
Balance the portfolio across all four objectives before submitting.
Use the preparatory period fully for the Externally Set Assignment.
Plan the final outcome so the 10 hours are for making, not deciding.
Keep the sketchbook and annotation current, as evidence of every objective.

The topics, one by one

Each topic has its own dot-point guide with worked examples and exam-style questions:

For the official specification

AQA publishes the full Art and Design specification (8201 to 8206) and assessment guidance at aqa.org.uk. Always work from the current specification, because assessment details are board-specific.

Sources & how we know this

AQA GCSE Art and Design specification — AQA (2016)