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2016 onwards For GCSE exams in 2018 onwards |\n\nVersion 1.10 June 2026  \nContents  \n1 Introduction 5  \n1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Music 5  \n1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 5  \n2 Specification at a glance 9  \n2.1 Subject content 9  \n2.2 Assessments 9  \n3 Subject content 11  \n3.1 Understanding music 11  \n3.2 Performing music 20  \n3.3 Composing music 24  \n4 Scheme of assessment 27  \n4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 27  \n4.2 Assessment components 28  \n4.3 Assessment objectives 32  \n4.4 Assessment criteria 33  \n5 Non-exam assessment administration 51  \n5.1 Supervising and authenticating 51  \n5.2 Submitting NEA evidence and marks to AQA 51  \n5.3 Avoiding malpractice 52  \n5.4 Teacher standardisation 52  \n5.5 Internal standardisation 52  \n5.6 Factors affecting individual students 53  \n5.7 School and college consortia 53  \n5.8 After moderation 53  \n6 General administration 55  \n6.1 Entries and codes 55  \n6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 55  \n6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 55  \n6.4 Resits and shelf life 56  \n6.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 56  \n6.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 56  \n6.7 Working with AQA for the first time 57  \n6.8 Private candidates 57  \n[Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8271](Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 3  \nAre you using the latest version of this specification?  \n• You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at  \n[aqa.org.uk/8271](aqa.org.uk/8271)  \n• We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification.  \n[4](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[ Visit](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8271](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8271 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration  \n1 Introduction  \n1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Music  \nMusic is constantly evolving, inspiring creativity and expression in a way that no other subject can. That's why we have designed a relevant and contemporary GCSE qualification that offers your students the chance to study a wide range of musical genres, with more opportunities for practical learning. Our GCSE brings theory, listening and composition to life in new and engaging ways, and links to the world around us like never before.  \nWe know that every student has different learning styles and musical tastes, which is why our GCSE values all music styles, skills and instruments. Broaden your students’ minds and foster a love of all music with a qualification that students of all abilities and backgrounds will enjoy. You can find out about all [our Music qualifications at](our Music qualifications at aqa.org.uk/music)[ ](our Music qualifications at aqa.org.uk/music)[aqa.org.uk/music](our Music qualifications at aqa.org.uk/music)  \nA specification designed for you and your students  \nOur specification and assessments have been designed to the highest standards, so that your students and parents can be confident that an AQA award provides an accurate measure of achievement.  \nThe specification supports progression to further and higher education in music and related subjects, and provides all students with a platform to inspire a lifelong interest and enjoyment of music.  \n1.2 Support and resources to help you teach  \nWe’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.  \nTeaching ","cbCaio5k2KCHDQ9R","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaio5k2KCHDQ9R","pdf",890239,58,"English","# Introduction\n## Why choose AQA for GCSE Music\n## Support and resources to help you teach\n# Specification at a glance\n## Subject content\n## Assessments\n# Subject content\n## Understanding music\n## Performing music\n## Composing music\n# Scheme of assessment\n## Aims and learning outcomes\n## Assessment components\n## Assessment objectives\n## Assessment criteria\n# Non-exam assessment administration\n## Supervising and authenticating\n## Submitting NEA evidence and marks to AQA\n## Avoiding malpractice\n## Teacher standardisation\n## Internal standardisation\n## Factors affecting individual students\n## School and college consortia\n## After moderation\n# General administration\n## Entries and codes\n## Overlaps with other qualifications\n## Awarding grades and reporting results\n## Resits and shelf life\n## Previous learning and prerequisites\n## Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion\n## Working with AQA for the first time\n## Private candidates","[{\"question\":\"What time period does this GCSE Music (8271) specification cover?\",\"answer\":\"It is for teaching from September 2016 onwards and for GCSE exams in 2018 onwards.\"},{\"question\":\"What key subject areas are included in the GCSE Music course?\",\"answer\":\"The specification includes understanding music, performing music, and composing music.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the document address non-exam assessment administration?\",\"answer\":\"It covers supervising and authenticating, submitting NEA evidence and marks to AQA, avoiding malpractice, and standardisation processes such as teacher and internal standardisation.\"}]","GCSE MUSIC (8271) - Specification | PDF",1792464627,146]