WJEC Eduqas A Level Art & Design: Photography specification (A656)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC Eduqas A Level Art & Design: Photography 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 WJEC Eduqas A Level Art & Design: Photography 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 WJEC Eduqas A Level Art & Design: Photography (A656) 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 WJEC Eduqas specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Eduqas A Level in Art & Design: Photography encourages learners to develop a personal, creative voice through the exploration of photographic media. The course spans traditional and digital approaches, offering students the freedom to investigate still and moving images while building technical skills and critical understanding. With a strong focus on contextual study and reflective practice, learners explore photographic genres and techniques in response to themes that have personal and cultural relevance. The qualification supports progression to higher education and creative industries by fostering curiosity, visual literacy, and independent thinking:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
Art and Design (Photography)
- Covers both traditional and contemporary light-based imagery.
- May include pinhole cameras, digital imaging, camcorders, scanners, and mobile phones.
- Work can be film- or digital-based, still or moving images, and may combine with other art forms.
Areas of Study:
- Photographing people
- Photographing places
- Still-life photography
- Documentary photography
- Photojournalism
- Experimental imagery
- Photographic installation
- Fashion photography
- Digital imaging
- Moving image (video, film, animation)
AO1: Contextual Understanding
- Study past and present photographic and visual sources (e.g. film, graphic design, fine art).
- Consider genre, aesthetic, purpose and context.
- Evaluate personal work using comparisons with established photographers.
AO2: Creative Making
- Use lighting, shutter speed, aperture, lenses, filters, software, and combined media.
- Balance technical control with creative development.
- Record key process steps and refine via editing and manipulation.
AO3: Reflective Recording
- Select and annotate key imagery and references; avoid unnecessary duplication.
- Use sketching, storyboarding, photography and notes to document insights.
- Reflect critically to clarify meaning and progression.
AO4: Personal Presentation
- Present meaningful final responses such as:
- Poster campaigns
- 3D installations with projections
- Animated sequences
- Connect written, visual, and practical elements.
- Consider audience engagement and presentation formats:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Component 1: Personal Investigation
- 60% of qualification (120 marks).
- Internally assessed, externally moderated.
- Includes:
- In-depth practical portfolio.
- 1000-word extended written element with contextual connections.
- Theme or brief developed by learner and teacher.
- Assessed holistically across AO1–AO4.
- Submission format is flexible (e.g. digital portfolios, installations).
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
- 40% of qualification (80 marks).
- Released 1 February.
- Includes:
- Preparatory study period.
- 15-hour supervised sustained focus session.
- Candidates select one stimulus and produce a personal, unaided response.
Assessment Objectives (each 25%)
- AO1: Develop ideas through sustained, contextual investigation.
- AO2: Select and refine materials, techniques, and approaches.
- AO3: Record observations and insights with critical reflection.
- AO4: Present personal responses with coherent links between components:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC Eduqas A Level Art & Design: Photography 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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