Edexcel A level Music and Music Technology: April 2019 update

Under length performance penalty and submitting scores for summer 2019 assessments

Ofqual announced that it was no longer an automatic 0 marks for performances that were under the required duration, 8 minutes for A level and 6 minutes for AS level. Our approach will be to apply a proportional penalty to marks during the marking process. There will be further details of this announced later this week to explain the process fully.

We have also decided to take the same approach to Composing. This means that if a submission is under the required duration a proportional penalty will be applied.

Ofqual also included in the consultation the requirement to include a notated score for performances, if one exists. Where a written score or lead sheet exists then this must be submitted with the recording of the performance. If a piece has been learnt aurally then a professional reference recording may be submitted in addition.

If a written score or lead sheet does not exist then a professional reference recording, written commentary, stimulus for improvised performances, track sheets, tables or diagrams must be submitted.

What does this mean for you?

You should complete the PAS/CAS forms with accurate timings and submit the work to your examiner. In the event of an under length performance/composition an examiner will mark the submission and then apply a proportional adjustment depending on how far under the required duration the submission is.

You must ensure that a notated score is submitted with all performances, if it exists, from May 2019 onwards. If a notated score doesn't exist then alternative forms as detailed in the specification can be submitted.

Final dates for submission of coursework and controlled assessment

The final date for submitting work for the summer 2019 series is 15 May 2019.

By 15 May 2019, you must have submitted your coursework/controlled assessment to the examinerr. Your examiner’s name and address will be available on Edexcel online from mid-April.

The administrative support guide gives details of how to present the work for the examiner.

For each music candidate you will need to complete a Performing Authentication Sheet (PAS) and a Composing Authentication Sheet (CAS).

For each music technology candidate you should ensure that the logbook is completed and that the authentication statements are signed.

Music Technology

What are the grade boundaries?

The controlled assessment and coursework grades will be awarded at the end of each examination series using the standard code of practice awarding process.

Grade boundaries, which are subject to change each exam series, are published on the website on the grade boundaries page. For summer 2019, they'll be available to download from results day: 15 August 2019 for AS and A levels.

To receive a result for a linear qualification, all of the marks achieved from different components are added together and the candidate receives a grade for the qualification. There is no need for a uniform mark scale - a single grade is issued to each candidate.

Who is my examiner and what is their address?

Examiners are randomly allocated to centres. You will be able to find out your examiner’s name and address from early April via Edexcel Online.

Your centre will receive a stationery send which will contain envelopes suitable for sending controlled assessment to the moderator.

Order more stationery online

When are the summer exams (UK centres)?

This information is also available on our exam timetables page. International centres should consult the international exam timetables which are available on the international exam timetables page.

Key dates