How do the four assessment objectives map onto the creative process, and how are the marks and grades worked out?
How the four assessment objectives map onto the creative process (a cyclical record, develop, refine and realise journey rather than four separate tasks), the fact that the AOs are equally weighted at 25 percent each and applied to both units, that work is marked holistically against bands and totalled across the units, and that the qualification is graded on the 9 to 1 scale.
How the four assessment objectives map onto the creative process in WJEC GCSE Art and Design (a cyclical record, develop, refine and realise journey), how the equally weighted AOs are applied to both units and marked holistically, and how the qualification is graded 9 to 1.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point ties the framework together. You need to know how the four assessment objectives map onto the creative process (a cyclical record, develop, refine and realise journey rather than four tick-box tasks), that the AOs are equally weighted at 25 percent each and applied to both units, and how the work is marked holistically and graded on the 9 to 1 scale. This is what lets you see why the whole body of work matters, not one strong piece.
The four objectives as a creative process
Equal weighting across both units
Holistic, banded marking
Grading on the 9 to 1 scale
Try this
Q1. How do the four assessment objectives relate to the creative process? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. They describe a cyclical record (AO3), develop (AO1), refine (AO2) and realise (AO4) journey, overlapping and looping rather than four separate tasks, with all four equally weighted at 25 percent and applied to both units.
Q2. Explain how the marks and grades work. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The four equally weighted objectives are marked holistically against bands by the centre across both units, moderated by WJEC, totalled across Unit 1 (60 percent) and Unit 2 (40 percent), and graded on the 9 to 1 scale, with no written exam contributing marks.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC specification4 marksDescribe how the four assessment objectives relate to the creative process.Show worked answer →
A knowledge task. Reward the link between the AOs and a cyclical creative journey.
Mapping. AO1 (develop ideas through investigation) and AO3 (record observations) start and feed the enquiry; AO2 (refine through experiment) develops it; AO4 (present a personal response) resolves it. Together they describe a record, develop, refine and realise journey.
Cyclical. The objectives are not four separate tasks done in order; they overlap and loop, so recording feeds development, development raises questions for more recording, and refinement leads towards the outcome.
Top marks. Note that the AOs are equally weighted (25 percent each) and applied to both units, so all four must be evidenced throughout.
WJEC (technique)4 marksExplain how the marks and grades work in WJEC GCSE Art and Design.Show worked answer →
A short explanation of the assessment model.
Equal weighting. The four assessment objectives are equally weighted, each worth 25 percent of the qualification, and are applied to both Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Holistic banding. Work is marked holistically against mark bands for each objective by the centre, then externally moderated by WJEC, and the marks are totalled across the two units.
Grading. The totalled marks place the candidate on the GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale.
A strong answer adds that because marking is holistic and against all four objectives, the whole body of work matters, not a single strong piece.
Related dot points
- The two-unit structure of WJEC GCSE Art and Design for Wales (Unit 1 Portfolio at 60 percent and Unit 2 Externally Set Assignment at 40 percent), the fact that it is a wholly practical, coursework qualification with no written exam, that both units are internally set or marked by the centre and externally moderated by WJEC, and the endorsed titles such as Art, Craft and Design and Fine Art.
A clear guide to how WJEC GCSE Art and Design for Wales is structured: two practical units (the Portfolio at 60 percent and the Externally Set Assignment at 40 percent), no written exam, internally marked and moderated by WJEC, and the endorsed titles available.
- AO1, Critical understanding, develop ideas through investigations demonstrating critical understanding of sources: building a focused line of enquiry from contextual and first-hand sources, weighing and responding to each source rather than copying it, and letting the investigation keep deepening across the project. AO1 is one of four equally weighted objectives (25 percent each).
What AO1 (Critical understanding) rewards in WJEC GCSE Art and Design: developing ideas through investigation and critical understanding of sources, built into a focused line of enquiry that weighs and responds to sources rather than copying, and keeps deepening across the project.
- AO2, Creative making, refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes: trying media purposefully, reviewing what each attempt teaches you, and selecting and improving towards a stronger outcome rather than repeating one safe technique. AO2 is one of four equally weighted objectives (25 percent each).
What AO2 (Creative making) rewards in WJEC GCSE Art and Design: refining work by exploring ideas and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing what each attempt teaches, and selecting and improving towards a stronger outcome.
- AO3, Reflective recording, record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses: recording first-hand and continuously through drawing, photography, notes and annotation, keeping it relevant to the intention, and using annotation to capture reflection and decisions. AO3 is one of four equally weighted objectives (25 percent each).
What AO3 (Reflective recording) rewards in WJEC GCSE Art and Design: recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses, recording first-hand and continuously, and using annotation to capture reflection and decisions.
- AO4, Personal presentation, present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language: producing a final outcome that resolves the project, connects clearly to the development that led to it, and uses the formal elements deliberately to carry meaning. AO4 is one of four equally weighted objectives (25 percent each).
What AO4 (Personal presentation) rewards in WJEC GCSE Art and Design: presenting a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language, resolving the project and connecting clearly to the development that led to it.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Art and Design (Wales) specification (from 2016) — WJEC (2016)
- GCSE subject content for art and design — Department for Education (2015)