GCE A Level Advanced Art and Design - Photography Component 1 - Sep 2016 Assessment Marking Criteria

Oct 20, 2026

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Advanced Art and Design photography component marking criteria for GCE A Level, showing total marks split into AO1–AO4 (including PS and overall score). The document presents performance-level taxonomies (Level 1 to Level 6) for the A level practical and personal study, describing expected abilities from limited to exceptional. It details how candidates develop ideas, explore and select resources and techniques, record observations and insights, and present meaningful responses, including how each AO contributes to the final totals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages129

Reading Time5 h 25 min

AccessFree to download

Photography Component 1

Total marks and AO breakdown

Performance calculator (A Level practical - Sept 2016)

AO1–AO4 descriptors across levels

Performance calculator (A Level personal study - Sept 2016)

GCE A LevelAdvancedArt and Design PhotographyComponent 1 MEGAN Total Mark 15(11+PS4) AO1AO2AO3AO4PersonalDevelopExplore andRecordRealiseStudySelect | Mark | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Performance
Level | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | | | | | | Total
out of 90 | 15 | | | | | | | | | PERFORMANCE
CALCULATOR | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A LEVEL
PRACTICAL
-SEPT 2016 | LIMITED ABILITY | BASIC ABILITY | EMERGING COMPETENT ABILITY | COMPETENT AND CONSISTENT
ABILITY | CONFIDENT AND ASSURED
ABILITY | EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY | | | Taxonomy | partial,inconsistent,literal,
elementary,minimal,rushed,
sporadic,naive,little creative
intent,disjointed,pedestrian,
credible,lacks control over the
formal elements,vague aims | straightforward,deliberate,just
adequate,methodical,superficial,
unrefined,crude visual language,
simplistic reflection,plays safe,
unresolved,contextual references
explored but lack relevance,
defines aims with some
understanding,developing control
over the formal elements | predictable,broadening,makes
progress,relevant,description not
explanation,demonstrates
intentions,appropriate,sufficient
control,emerging individuality,
thorough,adequate control over
the formal elements,contextual
references inform journey,pursues
aims with understanding | diverse,effective,purposeful,
consistent,skillful,coherent,
imaginative,informed,some
perception,satisfies creative intent,
engaged,consistent control over
the formal elements,contextual
references inspire creativity,
realises some aims, | independent,realised,sensitive,
creative,sustained,highly
inventive,critical,perceptive,
comprehensive,in-depth,
insightful,original,genuine creative
journey,refined,in-depth
reflection,exciting,comprehensive
control over the formal elements,
contextual references shows some
personal insight,fully realises all
aims and objectives | inspired,surprising,unique,
authoritative,genuine discovery,
adventurous,accepting of the
unexpected,challenging,fully
informed,questioning,dexterous,
erudite,highly intuitive,daring,
insightful and comprehensive
exploration of contextual
references,ideas synthesised into
highly sophisticated realisations,
goes beyond aims to produce
surprising realisations,control over
the formal elements demonstrate
fluent sensitivity and understanding | | | AO1
Develop ideas
through sustained
and focused
investigations
informed by
contextual and
other sources,
demonstrating
analytical and
critical
understanding | 3
2
1 | 6
5
4 | 9
7
8 | 12
11
10 | 15
13
14 | 18
17
16 | AO1 total:
2 | | | LIMITED
Literal
disjointed
little creative intent | BASIC | EMERGING COMPETENT | COMPETENT AND CONSISTENT | CONFIDENT AND ASSURED | EXCEPTIONAL | | | AO2
Explore and select
appropriate
resources,media,
materials,
techniques and
processes,
reviewing and
refining ideas as
work develops | 3
2
1 | 6
5 | 9
7
8 | 12
10
11 | 15
14
13 | 18
17
16 | AO2 total:
4 | | | LIMITED | BASIC
simplistic reflection,
methodical
just adequate | EMERGING COMPETENT | COMPETENT AND CONSISTENT | CONFIDENT AND ASSURED | EXCEPTIONAL | | | A03
Record ideas,
observations and
insights relevant to
intentions,
reflecting critically
on work and
progress | 1

FAQs

What does the document’s total mark (15) refer to for Photography Component 1?

It provides the total mark for Photography Component 1 and indicates how marks are allocated across assessment objectives AO1–AO4, including the additional PS portion shown in the total expression.

How are candidates assessed across AO1 to AO4?

AO1 focuses on developing ideas through sustained, focused investigations; AO2 on exploring and selecting appropriate resources and refining work; AO3 on recording ideas and reflecting critically; AO4 on presenting a personal and meaningful response and making connections where appropriate.

What do Level 1 through Level 6 mean in the performance calculator?

They represent increasing capability from limited/basic ability up to exceptional ability, with descriptors specifying how well the candidate controls formal elements, uses contextual references, and fulfils aims within each AO.

Oct 20, 2026

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