AI guidance for NEA components
28 May 2026
This update was first published on 31 March 2026.
On 27 April 2026, we added AI guidance for NEA components to the specifications for A Level Biology A (H420), A Level Biology B (H422), A Level Geography (H481) and GCSE Media Studies (J200), A Level Media Studies (H409), GCSE Music (J536) and A Level Physical Education (H555).
We've now added AI guidance to the following specifications and teacher guides too: GCSE English Language (J351), GCSE Physical Education (J587), AS Level Design and Technology (H004–H006), A Level Computer Science (H446), A Level English Literature (H472) A Level Film Studies (H410), and A Level Physics A (H556). We've added links to these below.
To support teachers, we're adding guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in non-exam assessment (NEA) components to our specifications and teacher guides.
Specifications
In the new section, ‘AI use in the NEA֥’, we link to the JCQ regulations and guidance on the use of AI in assessments. We also remind teachers they must provide sufficient supervision so they can confidently authenticate that the NEA work submitted is the student’s own.
On the summary of updates page at the end of each specification, you can view a description of what we’ve added and where in the specification it appears.
We’ve added the new AI section to the specifications for each of the qualifications below. We'll add to this list as we update our specifications:
These specifications are available to view and download from the qualification pages on our website and Teach Cambridge.
Teacher guides
Extended Project qualification (H857)
For the Extended Project teacher guides 1–4, we’ve added an ‘AI use in the EPQ’ section. You can find these guides on our website and in the Teaching > Teaching delivery > Teaching and delivery guides section of Teach Cambridge.
GCSE English Language (J351)
For the teacher guide ‘Preparing learners for their spoken language assessment’, we've added ‘AI use in the NEA’ details on page 10. You can view this guide in the Teaching > Teaching delivery> Teaching and delivery guides section of Teach Cambridge.
A Level English Literature (H472)
For the delivery guide ‘English Literature: Non Exam Assessment Guide – Component 03: Literature Post-1900’, we've added an ‘AI use in the NEA’ section on page 22. You can view and download this guide from the Assessment > NEA/Coursework > NEA/Coursework guides section of Teach Cambridge.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998, or email us at support@ocr.org.uk.
Qualifications
- Art and Design (9-1) - J170-J176 (from 2016)
- Drama (9-1) - J316 (from 2016)
- English Language (9-1) - J351
- Media Studies (9-1) - J200 (from 2023)
- Physical Education (9-1) - J587 (from 2016)
- Art and Design - H200, H600 (from 2015)
- Biology A - H020, H420 (from 2015)
- Biology B (Advancing Biology) - H022, H422 (from 2015)
- Computer Science - H046, H446 (from 2015)
- Design and Technology - H004-H006, H404-H406 (from 2017)
- Drama and Theatre - H059, H459 (from 2016)
- English Literature - H072, H472 (from 2015)
- Film Studies - H010, H410 (from 2017)
- Geology - H014, H414 (from 2017)
- Media Studies - H009, H409 (from 2023)
- Music - H143, H543 (from 2016)
- Physics A - H156, H556 (from 2015)
- Physics B (Advancing Physics) - H157, H557 (from 2015)
- Physical Education - H155, H555 (from 2016)
- Extended Project qualification - H857