AQA A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication specification (7203)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication (7203) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication course provides students with the opportunity to explore communication through visual language. It fosters the ability to design with purpose and creativity using traditional and digital media. The course emphasises critical and contextual understanding alongside practical outcomes, enabling students to convey messages effectively in response to a brief, issue or theme. Learners are encouraged to investigate the function of design in cultural and commercial contexts, and to develop independent ideas informed by research, experimentation, and contemporary and historical sources:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
3.5 Graphic communication
Work in one or more areas including:
- Interactive media (web, app and game design)
- Advertising and packaging
- Design for print and illustration
- Communication graphics and branding
- Multimedia and motion graphics
- Design for film and television
Skills to demonstrate:
- Understand meaning, function, style, scale, colour and content
- Respond to a brief or identified need
- Apply typography (including hand lettering and calligraphy)
- Understand form-function relationships
- Use appropriate graphic media, materials and processes
Required knowledge:
- Materials, technologies and processes relevant to graphic design
- Ways to convey meaning and emotion in visual language
- Historical and contemporary styles and influences
- Social, cultural, environmental and ethical contexts
- Graphic-specific vocabulary and critical terminology:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Component 1: Personal investigation
- Practical project + written material (1000–3000 words)
- Student-led theme, supported by contextual research
- Final outcome or series of related outcomes
- Accounts for 60% of A Level (96 raw marks, scaled to 288)
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
Component 2: Externally set assignment
- Paper released 1 February with eight prompts
- Preparatory period + 15 hours supervised time for final outcome(s)
- Accounts for 40% of A Level (96 raw marks, scaled to 192)
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
Assessment Objectives (each weighted 25%)
- AO1: Develop ideas using contextual sources
- AO2: Explore and refine techniques and media
- AO3: Record observations and reflections
- AO4: Present personal responses and realise intentions
Grading
- Total scaled marks out of 480
- Grades awarded A*–E:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Art & Design: Graphic Communication isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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