Edexcel GCSE Art, Craft & Design specification (1AD0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel GCSE 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 GCSE 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 GCSE Art, Craft & Design (1AD0) 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.
Download specificationSpecification overview
This GCSE in Art, Craft & Design enables students to explore the creative process through diverse two- and three-dimensional media. Learners are encouraged to investigate contemporary and historical sources firsthand, take personal approaches in making art, and develop skills in curating their best work. The course promotes creativity, independence, critical thinking and confidence in expressing ideas. It offers flexibility for centres to tailor courses based on their expertise, and its structure aligns with A level for smooth progression. Students build transferable skills such as problem-solving, risk-taking and reflective analysis.Subject content breakdown
Art, Craft and Design
- Develop appreciation of the creative process through practical work using varied media, materials and techniques
- Explore historical and contemporary work across diverse cultures and societies
- Develop knowledge, understanding and skills through integrated practice
- For Component 1, select at least two areas from Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-dimensional Design, Photography
- For Component 2, select at least one area of study
- May not combine sculpture from Fine Art and Three-dimensional Design or installation from Fine Art and Photography
Areas of Study (select from across the endorsed titles):
- Fine Art: drawing, installation, lens/light-based media, mixed media, land art, printing, painting, sculpture
- Graphic Communication: advertising, communication graphics, design for print, illustration, interactive design, multimedia, packaging, signage, typography
- Textile Design: constructed textiles, digital textiles, dyed fabrics, printed fabrics, fashion design, installed textiles, soft furnishings, stitched/embellished textiles
- Three-dimensional Design: architectural, interior, product, exhibition, environmental/landscape, sculpture, theatre/TV/film design, jewellery/body adornment, ceramics
- Photography: documentary, photo-journalism, studio, location, experimental imagery, installation, moving image (film/video/animation)
Assessment structure
Component 1: Personal Portfolio
- 60% of qualification; 72 marks
- Internally set, marked and externally moderated
- Students explore a theme through a portfolio of supporting studies and personal responses
- Must show evidence of all four Assessment Objectives
- Work created across 120 guided learning hours
- First assessed in May/June 2018
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (ESA)
- 40% of qualification; 72 marks
- Theme released on 2 January
- Includes preparatory studies and a 10-hour sustained focus period under exam conditions
- Students produce unaided final responses during the 10 hours
- Internally marked and externally moderated
Assessment Objectives (Each 25%)
- AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources
- AO2: Refine work by exploring and experimenting with media, materials, techniques, and processes
- AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response demonstrating understanding of visual language
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel GCSE 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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