AI guidance for NEA components
29 June 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).
On 28 May 2026, we added AI guidance to the following specifications and teacher guides: 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).
On 2 June 2026, we added AI guidance to the specifications for A Level Chemistry A (H432), A Level Chemistry B – Salters (H433) and A Level Design and Technology (H404-H406).
We've now added AI guidance to the specification for GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (J309) and to the specifications and teacher guides for GCSE Design and Technology (J310), A Level History A (H505), A Level English Language (H470) and A Level English Language and Literature EMC (H474). 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 Design and Technology (J310)
For the teacher guide ‘Design and Technology Guide – Internal marking guide’, on page 6 we've added the section ‘AI use in the NEA’. You can view and download this guide from the NEA/Coursework > NEA/Coursework support > Teacher guides for NEA 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 Language (H470)
For the teacher guide ‘Independent investigation of language in use’, we've added ‘AI use in the NEA’ details on page 5. You can view this guide on our website and in the Assessment> NEA/Coursework> NEA/Coursework support section of Teach Cambridge.
A Level English Language and Literature EMC (H474)
For the teacher guide ‘Theme: Independent study: analysing and producing texts non-exam assessment guide (Component 04)’, we've added ‘AI use in the NEA’ details on page 23. You can view this guide in the Assessment> NEA/Coursework> NEA/Coursework support section of Teach Cambridge.
A Level English Literature (H472)
For the delivery guide ‘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 our website and the Assessment > NEA/Coursework > NEA/Coursework guides section of Teach Cambridge.
A Level History A (H505/Y100)
For the ‘Coursework guide: Guide to Unit Y100’, we've added an ‘AI use in the NEA’ section on page 15. You can view and download this guide from our website and the Assessment > NEA/Coursework > NEA/Coursework support 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)
- Design and Technology (9-1) - J310 (from 2017)
- Drama (9-1) - J316 (from 2016)
- English Language (9-1) - J351
- Food Preparation and Nutrition (9-1) - J309 (from 2016)
- 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)
- Chemistry A - H032, H432 (from 2015)
- Chemistry B (Salters) - H033, H433 (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 Language - H070, H470 (from 2015)
- English Language and Literature (EMC) - H074, H474 (from 2015)
- English Literature - H072, H472 (from 2015)
- Film Studies - H010, H410 (from 2017)
- Geology - H014, H414 (from 2017)
- History A - H105, H505 (from 2015)
- 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