Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music: April 2026 update
Read the latest information on Edexcel GCSE Music, including key dates and latest news.
You should complete the Excel file version of the PAS and CAS forms.
Centres must declare any under length submissions for Component 1: Performing and Component 2: Composing ahead of the submission deadline on 15 May 2026, and ahead of submitting marks on Edexcel Online.
Failure to declare under length submissions using the form ahead of the submission deadline could result in a request for the centre to upload all candidate work to LWT to allow us to complete time checks for all candidates.
Do I need to carry out internal standardisation?
In large centres with multiple teachers, it's essential that you carry out internal standardisation before you finalise the NEA marks. You should sample double-mark, selecting mark points within the same band from different teaching sets. The double marking should continue until you are satisfied that you have achieved comparability. Small schools with only one teacher need not carry out internal standardisation.
What are the grade boundaries?
You should not attempt to grade the work; you should be marking the work by applying the marking criteria in a consistent manner.
Grade boundaries, which are subject to change each exam series, are published on the website on the grade boundaries page. For summer 2026, they'll be available to download from results day: 20 August 2026 for GCSE.
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.
A score of zero should only be used if a candidate has submitted work that is found to meet none of the assessment criteria. An X should be used for any candidate who is absent.
Submitting marks to Edexcel
All marks must be submitted online via Edexcel Online.
Important: You may need to amend your Edexcel Online access to allow you to submit controlled assessment marks online. To do this your exams officer will need to go into your Edexcel Online account and under ‘profiles’ tick the box next to ‘Coursework and Portfolio’. If they also tick the ‘Results’ box you will be able to view your E9 moderator report on results day.
When will I be able to access Edexcel Online to submit marks and see the requested sample?
You’ll need to submit your centre marks before we release the list of students selected for the moderation sample.
Once you’ve made your entries, submit your centre marks through Edexcel Online. Learner Work Transfer opens on 13 April 2026. If your centre marks are submitted before this date, your moderation sample will be available in Learner Work Transfer from 13 April, and you can upload student work for moderation straight away.
If you submit your centre marks on or after 13 April, your moderation sample will appear in Learner Work Transfer within 6 hours.
See the communication sent about this change
How do I identify the sample of work that needs to be sent to the moderator?
When you log in to Edexcel Online and go to the controlled assessment mark submission screen there will be a tick next to the candidates' names that need to be sent for moderation. You also need to send the work of the highest- and lowest-scoring candidates if they are not part of the requested sample.
If, for some reason, you're unable to send the work for a particular student, you should send the work of an equivalent student with a similar mark.
How do I submit the sample?
How to present the material is detailed in the Administrative Support Guide. You will need to upload all material through the Learner Work Transfer (LWT) portal. There are guides on how to use the LWT system.
E9 Moderator Report
While moderating your centre's controlled assessment, the moderator will write an E9 report which will give you detailed feedback on your marking and administration. You will be able to download this report on results day.
I will provide further guidance on how to access your centre's E9 Moderator Report in my results day update.
Ofqual Blog - Talking to students about AI in coursework: why the conversation matters
Ofqual has published a new blog highlighting the importance of open, honest conversations with students about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coursework.
AI tools are now part of everyday life for many young people. But it’s important that students understand where the boundaries are. Using AI to generate coursework without proper disclosure is cheating, and the consequences can be serious - including the loss of a qualification.
The blog is designed to help you start those conversations with confidence. It includes:
A ready‑to‑use lesson plan to support classroom discussion about AI and assessed work. A senior leadership team briefing pack to help schools and colleges develop a clear, whole‑school approach to AI in coursework.
Together, these resources can help ensure students are informed, supported and clear about expectations - before assessment pressures begin
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 May 2026 | Final date for submission of coursework marks and moderation samples |
| 5 June 2026 | Component 3: Appraising exam |
| 19 August 2026 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 20 August 2026 | Results released to learners |
Subject advisor
Jeffery Hole
Music and Music Technology
