Music Component 1 code: 8271/W

• Understanding music

• Listening

• Contextual understanding

• Exam paper with listening exercises and written questions using excerpts of music.

Section A: Listening – unfamiliar music (68 marks)

Section B: Study pieces (28 marks).

The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

This component is worth 40 % of GCSE marks (96 marks).

Music Component 2 code: 8271/P

• Performing music

• As an instrumentalist and/ or vocalist and/or via technology:

• Performance 1: Solo performance (36 marks)

• Performance 2: Ensemble performance (36 marks).

A minimum of four minutes of performance in total is required, of which a

minimum of one minute must be the ensemble performance.

This component is 30 % of GCSE marks (72 marks).

Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA. Performances must be completed in the year of certification.

Music Component 3 code: 8271/C

• Composing music

• Composition 1: Composition to a brief (36 marks)

• Composition 2: Free composition (36 marks).

A minimum of three minutes of music in total is required.

This component is 30 % of GCSE marks (72 marks).

Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA.