GCSE Art and Design
There is no written examination and no separate marks for spelling or grammar, but half the marks (AO1 and AO3, 25% each) depend on reading and analysing artworks and on recording annotated reflections as work progresses. Numeracy is marked as pathway dependent and is limited to measuring, scale and proportion, mostly in Three-dimensional design, Textile design and Graphic communication. The single biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is the habit of precise, evaluative annotation using the language of art, written as the work develops.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Portfolio: Non-examination assessment, internally set, marked by centres and moderated by WJEC, 60%, 120 marks
- Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment: Non-examination assessment, preparatory study plus 10 hours sustained focus, 40%, 80 marks
Skills that use Communicating with symbols
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Measuring, scale and proportion in making
The Three-dimensional design pathway covers prototyping and modelling of products and environments, and Appendix A marks the measurement strand as pathway dependent. Learners need accurate measuring, units and scaling when modelling and making.
Numeracy: Measurement, Angle, Strategic competence, Communicating with symbols
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils measure a shoe or mug in millimetres and record the measurements on their observational drawing before making a card maquette.
- Year 8
- Pupils make a clay pot to a set height and base width, measure the finished form and record the shrinkage in millimetres after firing.
- Year 9
- Pupils make a scale model of a sculpture for Aberdare Park at 1:20, calculating model sizes from full size ones and labelling both on the plan.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Three-dimensional design pathway, page 10; Appendix A, page 23
“design, prototyping, and modelling or making of primarily functional and aesthetic consumer products, objects, and environments”
Progression step 3
I can read and interpret scales or divisions on a range of measuring instruments.
I can convert metric units of length to smaller units, e.g. cm to mm, m to cm, km to m.
Progression step 4
I can use the common units of measure, convert between related units of the metric system and carry out calculations.
I can apply understanding of bearings and scale to interpret maps and plans, and to create plans and drawings to scale.
Progression step 5
I can identify, measure or obtain required information to complete the task.
I can use appropriate notation, symbols and units of measurement, including compound measures.
Good to know
- The whole qualification is non-examination assessment: Unit 1 Portfolio 60% and Unit 2 Externally Set Assignment 40% (page 4). There is no written paper.
- No separate marks are awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Written literacy counts through AO3, to "record ideas, observations and insights", worth 25% overall (page 18).
- "There is no restriction on content, format or scale of work" (page 19). Work may be presented as sketchbooks, visual diaries, display sheets or a digital portfolio, so annotation can be handwritten or on screen.
- Unit 2 sustained focus: "Learners have a maximum of 10 hours to produce their outcome, which must begin with a minimum 2-hour session", under direct supervision, with no teacher advice or feedback (page 20).
- In Unit 2 Part 2 learners can use "resources and/preparatory notes produced in Part 1 only" (page 20).
- Numeracy strands are marked "Pathway dependent" for both units in Appendix A (page 23). With no examination, there are no calculator rules.
Links with other qualifications
The scale and proportion work overlaps with Mathematics and Design and Technology, so shared vocabulary for scale factor and ratio helps pupils transfer skills.
Source: WJEC GCSE Art and Design specification, teaching from 2025, for award from 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2024).