Guidance

Art and design: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

Updated 6 September 2017

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1-art-and-design

1. Grade 8

1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate independent critical investigation and in-depth understanding of sources to develop ideas convincingly
  • effectively apply a wide range of creative and technical skills, experimentation and innovation to develop and refine work
  • record and use perceptive insights and observations with well-considered influences on ideas
  • demonstrate advanced use of visual language, technique, media and contexts to realise personal ideas

2. Grade 5

2.1 To achieve grade 5 candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate competent critical investigation and understanding of sources to develop ideas coherently
  • apply a range of creative and technical skills and some experimentation and innovation to develop and refine work
  • record and use clear observations to influence ideas
  • demonstrate competent use of visual language, technique, media and contexts to realise personal ideas

3. Grade 2

3.1 To achieve grade 2 candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate limited critical investigation and understanding of sources to develop ideas simply
  • apply basic creative and technical skills to limited experimentation and innovation
  • record and use simple observations to inform ideas
  • demonstrate basic use of visual language, technique, media or contexts to realise ideas
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