AQA A Level Drama and Theatre specification (7262)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Drama and Theatre 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 Drama and Theatre 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 Drama and Theatre (7262) 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
AQA A-level Drama and Theatre encourages students to become independent theatre makers, blending practical creativity with theoretical understanding. The course focuses on students creating, performing, and responding to theatre, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical analysis. Students gain a broad experience of theatrical styles and contexts, learning from both historical and contemporary practices. The specification develops their ability to interpret drama, apply research, and understand the interplay between theory and practice. Through devising original drama, performing, and evaluating live theatre, learners acquire a toolkit of transferable skills, including collaboration, analytical thinking, and confidence in presenting creative ideas, preparing them for further study or diverse career paths:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
3.1 Drama and theatre
- Develop knowledge of theatrical processes, performance conventions, and artistic choices.
- Study performance texts for construction, genre, language, style, and context.
- Explore two set plays: one from List A (historical) and one from List B (20th/21st century).
- Learn to evaluate live theatre productions, considering collaborative aspects and audience impact.
3.2 Creating original drama
- Specialise as performer, designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets), or director.
- Create devised drama influenced by a prescribed practitioner.
- Understand the practitioner’s context, practice, intentions, and style.
- Develop ideas collaboratively, apply research, and refine practical work.
- Produce a Working notebook documenting the devising process.
- Perform the devised drama to an audience.
3.3 Making theatre
- Specialise in one or more roles (performer, designer, director).
- Explore three key extracts from different plays, each from a distinct genre or context.
- Apply a practitioner’s methodology to the final extract’s performance.
- Analyse and evaluate theatrical interpretation in a Reflective report.
- Demonstrate the connections between theory and practice in performance.
- Understand the collaborative process in theatre-making.
3.5 Prescribed practitioners
- Choose from a broad list of influential figures and companies in directing, design, physical theatre, political theatre, and innovative practice (e.g., Brecht, Artaud, Frantic Assembly, Kneehigh Theatre, Complicite):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Component 1: Drama and theatre (Written Exam)
- 3 hours, 80 marks, 40% of A-level.
- Section A: One essay on a set play from List A (25 marks).
- Section B: Three-part question on an extract from a set play from List B (30 marks).
- Section C: One essay on a live theatre production (25 marks).
- Open book exam with specified editions for List B texts.
Component 2: Creating original drama (NEA)
- 60 marks, 30% of A-level, teacher marked and AQA moderated.
- Working notebook (40 marks) and devised performance (20 marks).
- Must be influenced by a prescribed practitioner.
- Students specialise in one role only for both tasks.
Component 3: Making theatre (NEA)
- 60 marks, 30% of A-level, marked by AQA.
- Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks) and Reflective report (20 marks).
- Explore three extracts, each from a different play.
- Apply the work of a prescribed practitioner to Extract 3.
- Practitioners for Components 2 and 3 must be different.
- Strict assessment conditions, including recorded evidence and documented intentions.
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Create and develop ideas, making theory-practice connections (20%).
- AO2: Apply theatrical skills in performance (30%).
- AO3: Demonstrate knowledge of theatre processes (30%).
AO4: Analyse and evaluate own work and that of others (20%).
- The qualification is linear with exams and assessments completed in the same series.
- NEA components require strict supervision, risk assessment, and clear evidence of student contribution.
- Live theatre attendance is mandatory with formal confirmation required from centres:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Drama and Theatre 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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