WJEC A-Level Art and Design the three units overview quiz quiz

Entirely by non-exam portfolio units, with no written exam

By two written examination papers sat under timed conditions at the very end of the course

By one written theory paper together with one practical portfolio of coursework

By a single timed practical examination completed in one supervised session with no coursework

Two units, both sat at the very end of the course as written papers

Three non-exam units: one AS unit and two A2 units

Four units, evenly weighted across two years of timed examinations

One large portfolio submitted as a single undivided unit

The Externally Set Assignment, responding to a WJEC paper in 15 supervised hours

A written theory examination on the history and context of art

The Personal Creative Enquiry, a broad exploratory project worth 40 percent of the A level

The Personal Investigation, a candidate-led project worth 36 percent of the A level

20 percent

24 percent

36 percent

40 percent

Critical, practical and theoretical work

Drawing, painting and sculpture only

Research, examination and revision

Photography, printmaking and textiles

A written examination worth 36 percent, sat at the end of the course

The Externally Set Assignment, set by WJEC and worth 24 percent

An optional extra project submitted for additional credit

The Personal Investigation, a sustained candidate-led project worth 36 percent and 160 marks

Exactly 500 words

Between 1000 and 3000 words

At least 5000 words

There is no written element

The Personal Investigation, the candidate-led project worth 36 percent

The Externally Set Assignment, worth 24 percent and 100 marks

A written examination worth 24 percent on art history and theory

The Personal Creative Enquiry, the broad AS-year project

WJEC

The individual candidate, freely

The candidate's parents or guardians

An external art gallery chosen by the school

AO4 only

None; it is not assessed

AO1, AO2 and AO3

AO1 only

10 hours

12 hours

15 hours

20 hours

It can be freely changed and added to throughout the supervised period

It must be thrown away before the supervised period begins

It is the only thing that is marked, so the outcome does not count

It is fixed: it supports the outcome but cannot be further developed

The four equally weighted assessment objectives (AO1 to AO4)

A single mark for technical neatness only

Three separate written examinations

The number of finished pieces submitted, regardless of process

Marked externally by WJEC examiners who never see the candidate's centre

Internally assessed by the centre and externally moderated by WJEC

Self-assessed by the candidate with no external check

Marked only by a visiting examiner during a single timed exam

Because it is the only unit with a written exam

Because the A2 units are optional extras

Because the unitised WJEC structure has the AS contribute to the full A level

Because it is marked by WJEC rather than the centre