Visual ArtsQ&A by dot point

WJEC Art and Design is offered across endorsed titles, including Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-Dimensional Design and Photography, plus the broad Art, Craft and Design, which share the same assessment but set the focus of practice.

WJEC requires learners to include evidence of working with processes and media associated with more than one title, with the final resolution drawn from a single endorsed title or a combination of disciplines.

Analysing sources and artists means examining how and why artworks are made, using contextual and other sources critically to inform a personal direction, which is the contextual understanding at the heart of AO1.

Recording and observational skills mean capturing ideas, observations and insights first-hand in visual and other forms relevant to intentions, reflecting on them, which is the practical heart of AO3.

The extended written element of the Personal Investigation is a piece of continuous critical prose, between 1000 and 3000 words, exploring the contextual sources behind the practical work and integrated with it.

AO1 requires developing ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

AO2 requires experimenting with and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

AO3 requires recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions in visual and other forms as work progresses, reflecting critically on work and progress.

AO4 requires presenting a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language, drawing together the investigation, experimentation and recording.

Each unit is marked against the four equally weighted assessment objectives using mark bands, internally assessed by the centre and externally moderated by WJEC, with weighted unit marks combining into the A* to E grade.

WJEC A-Level Art and Design (Wales) is a unitised, portfolio-only qualification of three non-exam units: AS Unit 1 Personal Creative Enquiry (40 percent), A2 Unit 2 Personal Investigation (36 percent) and A2 Unit 3 Externally Set Assignment (24 percent), all judged against four equally weighted assessment objectives.

AS Unit 1 Personal Creative Enquiry is a broad, exploratory non-exam project worth 40 percent of the A level that integrates critical, practical and theoretical work on a personally meaningful theme, assessed against all four objectives.

A2 Unit 2 Personal Investigation is a sustained, candidate-led practical project on a self-chosen theme worth 36 percent and 160 marks, including an extended written element of 1000 to 3000 words, assessed against all four objectives.

A2 Unit 3 Externally Set Assignment is a non-exam unit worth 24 percent and 100 marks in which learners respond to a WJEC-set starting point through a preparatory period and a final outcome made in 15 hours of sustained focus under supervised conditions, assessed against all four objectives.