Awarding marks to performances under the minimum time requirement
An update to GCSE Drama and AS and A level Drama and Theatre concerning the award of zero marks for performances under the minimum time requirement.
You may already be aware of recent changes to Music and Dance. In both subjects Ofqual are removing the requirement to award zero marks for performances that do not reach the minimum time requirements. Given the change of position in Music however, we felt it was improtant to review how we deal with these instances.
Therefore, from 2019 onwards, we will be removing the necessity to automatically award zero marks to any performance under the minimum time requirements.
Our revised approach
We will soon be changing our specifications to reflect the new change of approach and this will affect the following components:
| Qualification | Component | Code | Assessment | |
| GCSE Drama | Component 1: Devising | 1DR0/01 | Internally marked by teachers and externally moderated
|
|
| GCSE Drama | Component 2: Performance from text
|
1DR0/02 | Marked externally by visiting examiner | |
| AS Drama and Theatre | Component 1: Exploration and Performance | 8DR0/01 | Internally marked by teachers and externally moderated
|
|
A level Drama and Theatre |
Component 1: Devising | 9DR0/01 | Internally marked by teachers and externally moderated | |
| A level Drama and Theatre | Component 2: Text in Performance
|
9DR0/02 | Marked externally by visiting examiner |
Our approach to any performance that falls under the minimum time requirements will now be to mark these based on the professional judgement of the marker using the assessment criteria.
The assessment criteria strongly supports the application of professional judgement based on what the student has presented for assessment. Please note that significantly shorter performances may not allow students to evidence their skills fully in order to access all levels of the assessment criteria - particularly as in Level 3 the onus is on demonstrating evidence of competent, consistent, sustained, appropriate performance skills.
2019 approach for Component 1 (GCSE, AS and A level)
For any students that have been awarded zero marks for work under the minimum time requirement, we would ask that, before you submit marks by 15 May, you re-watch the performance and review the marks given against the revised approach to judge if the students can achieve any marks against the assessment criteria.
If you have any issues with doing this then please contact us.
2019 approach for Component 2 (GCSE and A level)
The examiners and assessment teams have kept a record of any zero marks awarded during the visiting examiner window, and these will be reviewed in accordance with the revised approach and any changes to marks will be recorded. We will ensure that the marking of any minimum time infringements are checked by a senior examiner.
We have prepared some FAQs and if you have any queries you can contact us.