AS and A Level Music: Minimum time and score requirements

Following consultation, Ofqual has updated the subject conditions and requirements for GCSE, AS and A Level Music. Under length performances will no longer result in students being awarded 0 marks for their performance. Instead, we will apply a proportional penalty.

Ofqual has also confirmed, for instances where a score or lead sheet for a performance does not exist, alternative reference material can be submitted.

For AS and A Level Music, submit the performance recordings for assessment to us as usual, with the duration filled in on the cover sheets. Any penalty will be applied as part of the assessment process. A notated score or lead sheet is still required for all performances and you should guide your students to choose pieces that have an obtainable score or lead sheet. 

Where a written score or lead sheet is unavailable because it does not exist, the only other types of evidence permissible are: 

• The chord pattern used 
• The note pattern/raga used 
• A recording of the piece by the original commercial performer 
• A recording by a commercial artist in the style of the learner’s performance.

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