OCR GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art specification (J171)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art 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 OCR GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art 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 OCR GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art (J171) 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 OCR specification PDF.
Specification overview
The GCSE in Art & Design: Fine Art encourages students to express personal, imaginative, and analytical ideas through visual means. It supports the development of creative thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills through traditional and contemporary fine art practices. Students investigate artists, movements, and contextual sources, responding through drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. The course nurtures independent thought and critical reflection, preparing learners for further study such as A Level Fine Art and enabling confident engagement with visual culture.Subject content breakdown
Fine Art (J171)
- Defined as the creation of original artwork for visual rather than functional purposes.
Can include:
- Drawing – using a variety of tools, materials and techniques.
- Painting – oils, acrylics, watercolour and mixed media.
- Printmaking – relief, intaglio, screen, and digital processes.
- Sculpture – additive, subtractive and construction methods.
- Installation – spatial artworks using diverse materials.
- Mixed media – combination of materials and techniques.
- Land art – environmental work using natural forms.
- Digital imagery – computer-generated or manipulated visuals.
Students must:
- Explore formal elements (line, tone, texture, colour, etc.).
- Investigate relevant artists, designers, movements, and contexts.
- Use critical understanding to inform and develop responses.
- Record ideas through various visual and written means.
- Present coherent, informed, and personal final outcomes.
Assessment structure
Component 01: Portfolio (non-exam assessment)
- Worth 60% of total GCSE.
- Set and marked by the centre; externally moderated.
- Includes a sustained project and a selection of additional work.
- Demonstrates evidence of all four assessment objectives:
- AO1: Develop ideas with critical/contextual understanding.
- AO2: Refine work through experimentation.
- AO3: Record observations and ideas.
- AO4: Present meaningful and personal outcomes.
Component 02: Externally Set Task
- Worth 40% of total GCSE.
- Externally set paper issued in January of the examination year.
- Preparation period followed by 10 hours of supervised time.
- Students create a personal final piece informed by preparatory work.
- Must meet all four assessment objectives.
- Marked by the centre and moderated externally.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art 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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