Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design specification (9AD0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design 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 Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design 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 Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design (9AD0) 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 Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design course enables students to engage with a broad-based programme of study exploring diverse creative disciplines. It fosters intellectual, imaginative, experimental, and critical skills through practical and contextual work. Learners are encouraged to work in at least two disciplines in Component 1 and may choose to specialise for Component 2. The course prepares students for further education or careers in the creative sector by developing their confidence, independence, technical ability and understanding of cultural, social, historical and ethical contexts:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
Art, Craft and Design (9AD0)
- Encourages a multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach
- Component 1: Must include work from at least two disciplines across Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-dimensional Design or Photography
- Component 2: May specialise in one or more disciplines
Available disciplines include:
- Painting and drawing
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Lens-based image making
- Advertising and branding
- Illustration and information design
- Textiles for interiors, fine art textiles, fashion textiles
- Spatial and product design, design crafts
- Film-based photography, digital photography, film and video
Students will:
- Record experiences using visual forms and undertake contextual research
- Explore and refine ideas using a wide range of techniques and media
- Develop understanding of formal elements like colour, texture, tone, and form
- Investigate historical, cultural, social and environmental influences
- Communicate personal responses and realise intentions through visual outcomes:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Component 1: Personal Investigation
- 60% of A Level (90 marks, scaled to 108)
- Internally set and assessed; externally moderated
- Includes: supporting studies, practical work, and personal study (min. 1000 words)
- Personal study must critically connect to students' practical investigations
- All work marked against four Assessment Objectives
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
- 40% of A Level (72 marks, unscaled)
- Theme and starting points released 1 February
- Includes: preparatory studies + 15-hour sustained focus period under exam conditions
- Assessed on AO1–AO4 only
Assessment Objectives (25% each)
- AO1: Develop ideas through focused investigations and contextual understanding
- AO2: Explore, select and refine resources, media and techniques
- AO3: Record observations and reflect critically
- AO4: Present meaningful responses that connect visual and contextual elements
Grading
- Overall grade based on total 180 raw marks (scaled to 180)
- Grades awarded from A* to E
- All work must be authenticated and submitted in May/June of the assessment year:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Art, Craft & Design 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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