← 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 investigation and demonstrate critical understanding of sources for AO1?

AO1: develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources, across both the Portfolio and the Externally Set Task, worth a quarter of the marks in each.
How to satisfy OCR GCSE Art and Design AO1: develop ideas through investigations and demonstrate critical understanding of sources, building a line of enquiry across the Portfolio and Externally Set Task, worth 30 marks in the Portfolio and 20 in the set task.
14 min answer →

How do you refine work by exploring ideas and experimenting with media for AO2?

AO2: refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes, worth a quarter of the marks in each component.
How to satisfy OCR GCSE Art and Design AO2: refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining as work develops, worth 30 marks in the Portfolio and 20 in the set task.
13 min answer →

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

AO3: record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses, through first-hand recording and reflection, worth a quarter of the marks in each component.
How to satisfy OCR GCSE Art and Design AO3: record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses, through first-hand observation and critical reflection, worth 30 marks in the Portfolio and 20 in the set task.
13 min answer →

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

AO4: present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language, worth a quarter of the marks in each component.
How to satisfy OCR GCSE Art and Design AO4: present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language, the resolved outcome of the line of enquiry, worth 30 marks in the Portfolio and 20 in the set task.
13 min answer →

How do the marks, bands and 9 to 1 grades work in OCR GCSE Art and Design?

How the marks and grades work: the 120 plus 80 mark total, the equal split across the four objectives, marking against banded criteria, internal marking and external moderation, and how marks become a 9 to 1 grade.
How OCR GCSE Art and Design is marked and graded: 120 marks for the Portfolio and 80 for the set task, an equal split across the four objectives, banded criteria, internal marking with external moderation, and how the total becomes a 9 to 1 grade.
13 min answer →