IGCSE Drama Topics by Exam Board: Full List

Revising for IGCSE Drama but not sure exactly what you need to know? You're not alone. Drama syllabuses vary significantly between exam boards, and studying the wrong content can waste precious revision time.

It's frustrating when you can't find a clear breakdown of what your specific exam board actually requires. You might be preparing for performance work, written papers, or coursework – but without knowing the exact topics and assessment structure, how can you revise effectively?

This guide provides the complete topic list for IGCSE Drama. You'll discover exactly what content you need to study, how it's assessed, and practical tips for tackling both performance and written components.

Key Takeaways

• Cambridge International (CIE) is currently the only exam board offering IGCSE Drama (0411)

• The course combines practical performance skills (60%) with written examination (40%)

• You'll study two main areas: moving from script to performance and devising original drama

• Assessment includes coursework (three performance pieces) and a written exam 

• Both individual and group performance skills are assessed, along with knowledge of directing and design

Why You Should Revise Drama Topics by Exam Board

Understanding your exam board's specific requirements is crucial for IGCSE Drama success.

Each board structures courses differently in terms of content focus, assessment weighting, and performance requirements. What counts as "good" performance or written work varies based on assessment criteria specific to your board.

Cambridge IGCSE Drama (0411) (opens in a new tab) emphasises both practical and theoretical understanding. You're expected to demonstrate skills as an actor, director, and designer – not just perform.

Unlike some GCSE Drama specifications that focus heavily on live theatre evaluation, IGCSE Drama centres on your own creative and performance work. You must understand the process of bringing drama to life, not just analyse others' work.

Cambridge IGCSE Drama (0411)

Cambridge International currently offers the only IGCSE Drama qualification (opens in a new tab). Here's the complete breakdown of topics and assessment.

Core Content Areas

From Script to Performance – You'll work with extracts from published plays, exploring how to bring printed scripts alive on stage. This includes understanding character interaction, movement, timing, vocal expression, and directorial interpretation.

Devising Original Drama – You'll create original dramatic pieces from stimuli such as poems, images, songs, historical events, or social issues. This involves developing scenarios, creating believable characters, structuring dramatic material, and reflecting on the devising process.

Elements of Practical Drama – Key concepts include structure and plot, characterisation, dialogue, physicality, pacing, contrast and dynamics, tension, and spatial awareness (proxemics). You'll learn how these elements combine to create effective drama.

Performance Skills – You'll develop vocal and physical techniques, learn to sustain roles throughout performances, use performance space effectively, and communicate with audiences. Both solo and group performance skills are assessed.

Staging and Design – Understanding how costume, set, props, lighting, sound, and stage space contribute to performances. You'll explore how design choices communicate period, style, character, mood, and directorial concepts.

Dramatic Terminology – Familiarity with core terms like ensemble, improvisation, blocking, downstage/upstage, proscenium, thrust stage, articulation, gesture, inflection, and vocal projection.

Assessment Structure

Component 1: Written Examination – 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of total grade (80 marks)

This exam has three sections based on pre-release material (opens in a new tab):

• Section A (30 marks): Short-answer and extended-response questions on Extract 1 from a published play. Questions range from 2-10 marks

• Section B (25 marks): Two extended-response questions on Extract 2 from a different published play. One compulsory 10-mark question and one choice question worth 15 marks

• Section C (25 marks): Two extended-response questions (10 and 15 marks) about an original devised piece you've performed

The pre-release material contains two play extracts released before the exam. You study these practically during your course, exploring them as performance pieces. Clean copies are provided in the exam.

Component 2: Coursework – 60% of total grade (120 marks)

Internally assessed and externally moderated. You submit three practical performance pieces recorded on DVD:

1. Individual performance from a play extract (approximately 2-3 minutes)

2. Group performance from a play extract (approximately 15 minutes total, groups of 2-6 performers)

3. Group devised performance from a stimulus (approximately 15 minutes, groups of 2-6 performers)

Performances are assessed on vocal and physical skills, character creation, use of space, communication with audience, and ability to sustain role.

Assessment Objective Weightings

• AO1 (Knowledge and understanding of repertoire): 40%

• AO2 (Devising original drama): 30%

• AO3 (Performance skills): 30%

Set Texts

Cambridge IGCSE Drama doesn't prescribe specific set texts for coursework. Teachers select appropriate play extracts based on students' abilities and cultural context.

However, the pre-release material for the written exam changes annually. For 2025-2027 exams, extracts are released in December preceding the exam and come from published stage plays representing various genres, styles, countries, cultures, and periods.

Common play extracts used in past pre-release materials include works by playwrights like Willy Russell, Arthur Miller, J.B. Priestley, Tennessee Williams, and Anton Chekhov. These change each examination series, so always check the official pre-release material for your specific exam year.

How to Use This IGCSE Drama Topic List in Your Revision

Now you know what's assessed, here's how to revise effectively.

Organise your notes by component. Create separate revision sections for Component 1 (written exam) and Component 2 (coursework). 

For the pre-release material, explore both extracts practically. Don't just read them – rehearse scenes, try different character interpretations, consider design possibilities. Your written answers must demonstrate practical understanding, not literary analysis.

Practice using drama terminology in written responses. Examiners want specific vocabulary like "proxemics," "vocal inflection," "pacing," "blocking," and "ensemble work." Generic descriptions won't score high marks.

Link theory to practice. When writing about performance skills, reference specific moments from your work. For example: "I used a slower pace and lower pitch to convey my character's grief in the opening scene, creating contrast with the later confrontation."

For devised work, keep a devising journal throughout the process. Record stimulus exploration, character development decisions, structure choices, and reflections on rehearsals. This provides excellent material for Section C answers.

Evaluate past performances using assessment criteria. Watch recordings of your coursework pieces and identify strengths and areas for improvement. Consider: Did you sustain character throughout? Was your vocal delivery clear? Did you use space effectively?

Practice timed writing. Each section needs approximately 50 minutes. Practice writing extended responses within these timeframes, focusing on detailed, specific examples from your practical work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main components of IGCSE Drama?

IGCSE Drama has two components: Component 1 is a written examination (2 hours 30 minutes, 40%) covering pre-release play extracts and devised work. Component 2 is coursework (60%) consisting of three recorded performances – individual performance from a play, group performance from a play, and group devised performance.

Do I have to study set texts for IGCSE Drama?

Not in the traditional sense. There are no prescribed set texts for coursework – your teacher selects appropriate play extracts. However, you must study the pre-release material for the written exam, which consists of two play extracts released before the examination. These extracts change annually and vary by administrative zone.

How is IGCSE Drama assessed?

Assessment combines practical performance (60%) with written examination (40%). 

Your performance work is recorded on DVD and submitted for external moderation. The written exam tests your understanding of the pre-release material and ability to reflect on your devised work. 

Assessment focuses on three objectives: knowledge of repertoire (40%), devising original drama (30%), and performance skills (30%).

Final Thoughts

Knowing your exam board's specific topic structure and assessment requirements transforms your Drama revision from guesswork into focused preparation.

Cambridge IGCSE Drama rewards students who understand the full creative process – not just performing, but also directing, designing, devising, and evaluating. Use the topic list above as your revision checklist, ensuring you've covered all content areas thoroughly.

Remember that Drama is practical. Your written responses must demonstrate hands-on exploration of texts and devising processes, not just theoretical knowledge. The most successful candidates connect their practical experiences directly to exam questions.

Start your revision early, keep detailed notes on your devising process, and practice writing about your work using appropriate drama terminology. Record and review your performances regularly, always considering how you could improve.

With a clear understanding of what's assessed and focused preparation, you'll approach both performance and written components with confidence. Your IGCSE Drama success starts with knowing exactly what to revise – and now you do.

References

1. Cambridge IGCSE Drama (0411) - Cambridge International (opens in a new tab)

2. Cambridge IGCSE Drama 0411 Syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027 (opens in a new tab)