Pearson Edexcel A level Music and Music Technology: December 2025 update

In this update

AS and A level Music Technology updates

Curriculum and Assessment Review

Music and Drama Education Expo

Updated AI Guidance

Key dates

AS and A level Music Technology updates

As part of our ongoing commitment to making our assessments as fair and accessible as possible for all candidates, we’ve recently completed a review of our Component 3 exam papers. 

Over the past few exam series, we introduced changes to the structure of certain questions, in our papers, to improve accessibility and ensure an appropriate level of challenge. However, after careful review and feedback from centres, we have concluded that these changes did not achieve the intended outcome. 

We’ve therefore decided to return to the original format and structure of questions, as used in the Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs). This change will take effect starting with the June 2026 question paper and all subsequent exam series. 

We will be sending out a separate support packs (one for AS and one for A Level) in the new year, including updated guidance and examiner commentaries to help you and your students prepare for future exams. 

We are also updating question papers from previous exam series so you’ll have a complete and consistent set of materials to use as mock exams. We’ll be in touch again soon once these are ready to share. 

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Subject Advisor or submit a query through our support portal. 

Component 4 Exam Guidance: Disable "Warping" in Ableton Live

For the Component 4 exam, teachers must ensure that Ableton Live’s Warping feature is switched off when importing audio.

Ableton’s Warping automatically adjusts imported audio to match the Project Tempo, which can distort timing and affect the provided material of the exam. Candidates need accurate playback for their work, so unintended tempo changes could compromise assessment outcomes. 

Action Steps: In Preferences > Record/Warp/Launch, set Auto-Warp Long Samples to Off. 

When importing audio, make sure the Warp button in the Clip View is unchecked. Double-check these settings before candidates begin their exam and when importing material to avoid tempo mismatches. 

Components 1 and 2 Logbook reminder

Centres are reminded that for LWT upload Logbooks must be exported as a .pdf file named as the following:

8MT0_01 - (8MT001_12345_6789_BloggsJ) 

8MT0_02 - (8MT002_12345_6789_BloggsJ) 

9MT0_01 - (9MT001_12345_6789_BloggsJ)

9MT0_02 - (9MT002_12345_6789_BloggsJ) 

Curriculum and Assessment Review

We are now waiting as the Government hold consultations on some of the points raised from the final outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Government response to the CAR.

When we have updates and further news we will share them.

Music and Drama Education Expo

Come and see us at the Music and Drama Education Expo! The Expo is being held at the Business Design Centre, London on 12 and 13 February 2026. Registration is free and you can book your place online. We will have stand B90 at the Expo. If you've got any questions or want to chat about the future of Music qualifications please come and see us. 

I will also be delivering a session with Paul Webster at 10.15am on Thursday 12 February at the Expo in the Exhibitor Showcase Theatre. The session topic is The future of Key Stage 4 and 5 qualifications in Music, Drama and Performing Arts.

Register for the Music and Drama Education Expo

Updated AI Guidance

We have produced an updated AI Guidance document explaining how AI can and can't be used in our qualifications. We hope this will help with any questions you may have from your learners about using AI in their NEA work.

Access the AI Guidance

Key dates