AQA GCSE Art & Design: Art, Craft and Design specification (8201)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE Art & Design: Art, Craft and 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 AQA GCSE Art & Design: Art, Craft and 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 AQA GCSE Art & Design: Art, Craft and Design (8201) 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
This GCSE in Art & Design: Art, Craft and Design offers students a vibrant and flexible programme that encourages the development of personal work across multiple disciplines. It supports creativity and imaginative thinking while developing skills in problem-solving, research, and practical making. The specification is designed to inspire students to explore and communicate personal ideas, preparing them for further study or a career in the creative industries. It encourages breadth in approach and provides opportunities to work across at least two specialisms, blending fine art, craft and design practices.Subject content breakdown
3.4 Art, craft and design
- Promotes a broad-based approach using various experiences, processes, tools, techniques, materials and resources.
- Emphasises the context of practice to determine if work is art-based, craft-based or design-based.
- Students must explore and create work from at least two areas of study:
- Fine art (e.g. painting, sculpture, printmaking, lens-based media)
- Graphic communication (e.g. typography, advertising, illustration)
- Textile design (e.g. fashion, constructed textiles, surface pattern)
- Three-dimensional design (e.g. product design, interior design)
- Photography (e.g. portraiture, experimental imagery, photojournalism)
- Component 1 must show evidence from two or more areas; Component 2 can use one or more.
- Practical work must be informed by contextual sources and critical engagement.
- Students must apply relevant knowledge and skills to communicate personal ideas and intentions through chosen media and processes.
Assessment structure
Component 1: Portfolio
- A non-exam assessment set and marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA.
- Includes a sustained project and further work showing full coverage of the assessment objectives.
- No time limit.
- 96 marks.
- 60% of the GCSE.
Component 2: Externally set assignment
- AQA sets the paper with seven starting points; students choose one.
- Includes a preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time.
- Must show full coverage of the assessment objectives.
- 96 marks.
- 40% of the GCSE.
- Marked by the school/college and moderated by AQA.
Assessment objectives
- AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, showing critical understanding of sources.
- AO2: Refine work through exploring and experimenting with media, materials, techniques and processes.
- AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.
Each objective is weighted equally across both components. Component 1 contributes 60% and Component 2 contributes 40% to the final grade.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE Art & Design: Art, Craft and 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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