Pearson Edexcel GCSE Music: March 2025 update
Read the latest information on Edexcel GCSE Music, including key dates and latest news in the March 2025 update.
You will need to complete either the PDF version of the PAS and CAS forms or the Excel file version of the PAS and CAS forms.
If you have any candidates that have a performance submission or composition submission that doesn't meet the time requirements then you must complete the under-length submission form and submit this too.
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 2025, they'll be available to download from results day: 21 August 2025 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.
What happens if I make an error when submitting controlled assessment marks?
If you have already submitted a mark but it needs to be amended (eg because of an administrative error), please email courseworkmarks@pearson.com with details of the student and amended point score.
When will I be able to access Edexcel Online to submit marks and see the requested sample?
You should be able to start submitting marks now but you won’t be able to view the requested sample until the beginning of April 2024.
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.
Educational Recording Licence
The ERA Licence provides seamless access to television and radio recordings, offering a single point of clearance for the rights needed to create and use authentic media resources in your classroom. With ERA’s free video streaming platform, licensed institutions can explore a rich library of curriculum-mapped TV and radio clips tailored to GCSE, AS, and A-level teaching.
To access this free resource registration is required - but is quick and simple. State schools in England are licensed under a central agreement with the DfE and the vast majority of independent schools also hold a current ERA Licence.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2025 | Deadline for entries in the June 2025 exam series |
| 15 May 2025 | Final date for submission of coursework marks and moderation samples |
| 16 June 2025 | Component 3: Appraising exam |
| 20 August 2025 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 21 August 2025 | Results released to learners |
Subject advisor
Jeffery Hole
Music and Music Technology
