AQA GCSE Drama specification (8261)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE Drama 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 Drama 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 Drama (8261) 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
The AQA GCSE Drama specification engages students as confident performers, designers, and reflective practitioners by developing a balance of practical and theoretical skills. It enables learners to explore drama as a collaborative art form through devising original work, interpreting texts, and analysing live performance. Emphasis is placed on understanding social, historical, and cultural contexts, and encouraging critical thinking. Through a choice of specialisms such as performing, lighting, sound, set, costume, or puppetry, students build key theatrical competencies and transferable life skills. The course supports progression to further study and careers in the arts and wider industries:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 Understanding drama
- Study one set play from a specified list (e.g. Blood Brothers, Romeo and Juliet, The Crucible)
- Learn key performance elements: character, style, sub-text, mood, rhythm, staging
- Understand historical, social, and cultural contexts of texts
- Evaluate live theatre: acting, design, technical impact, audience response
- Explore roles of theatre makers (playwright, designer, technician, director, etc.)
3.2 Devising drama
- Choose one specialism: performer or designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppet)
- Develop and rehearse original drama using stimulus (e.g. image, text, theme, music)
- Apply theatre conventions, performance styles, genre
- Maintain a Devising Log (response to stimulus, collaboration, evaluation)
- Present a group or duologue performance
3.3 Texts in practice
- Perform or design two extracts from one play (not the set text studied in Component 1)
- Choose same or different specialism as in Component 2
- Demonstrate interpretation, characterisation or design communication
- Develop and justify artistic choices through a statement of dramatic intentions
3.4 Guidance on theatrical skills
- Performer: vocal/physical skills, characterisation, audience engagement
- Lighting designer: lighting states, rigging, positioning, transitions
- Sound designer: music, sound effects, amplification, soundscapes
- Set designer: staging, props, scene changes, materials and spatial awareness
- Costume designer: garments, accessories, period detail, movement and function
- Puppet designer: construction, functionality, visual and performance impact:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Assessment structure
Component 1: Understanding drama
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 80 marks
- 40% of GCSE
- Section A: multiple choice on roles and terminology
- Section B: questions on a set play extract (choice of performer or designer perspective)
- Section C: one question on a live theatre production seen
Component 2: Devising drama
- Non-exam assessment
- 80 marks
- 40% of GCSE
- Devising log (60 marks) and devised group/duologue performance (20 marks)
- Internally marked and AQA moderated
Component 3: Texts in practice
- Non-exam assessment
- 40 marks
- 20% of GCSE
- Performance of two extracts from one contrasting play (20 marks each)
- Assessed by AQA visiting examiner
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Create and develop ideas – 20%
- AO2: Apply theatrical skills in live performance – 30%
- AO3: Demonstrate knowledge/understanding – 30%
- AO4: Analyse and evaluate – 20%:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE Drama 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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