We have updated our AS and A Level Art and Design mark schemes, which will apply for candidates beginning A Level study from September 2026 and AS Level study from September 2027, with first assessment for both AS and A Level in 2028.

Many students, supported by their centres, produce ambitious and high-quality work. We’ve made these changes to support clearer and more consistent marking, particularly when work is being considered for the highest levels. We know that making fine judgements at the top end of the mark scheme can be challenging.

The updated mark scheme wording is intended to give clearer guidance about what is needed for work to meet the highest marks, including where it can be considered exceptional.

What’s changing

The updated mark scheme wording gives more clarity about what is expected at the top and bottom levels. This is intended to help distinguish more clearly between work that is strong, very strong, and exceptional.

The number of marking levels and the number of marks within each level have not changed, so the overall structure of the mark schemes remains the same. 

We’ve also moved the marking level guidance into a new grid format, making it easier to decide where evidence sits within a level and to apply the mark scheme consistently across your students’ work. This is in line with our commitment to making assessment straightforward.

We've published the updated specifications now, ahead of first assessment in June 2028. This means the current and updated specifications will be available side by side for a period of time.

You can view and download the updated Art and Design AS Level and A Level specifications (both version 3.0) from the qualification page on our website and Teach Cambridge.

What this means for your marking

You’ll need to refer closely to the updated wording and guidance for use in your marking for the June 2028 series when making your judgements, particularly at the top end of the mark scheme. Marks must be awarded according to the published assessment requirements in the marking criteria, based on the standard shown in the candidate’s work. 

You should make full use of the available mark range. Previous examination series grade boundaries and outcomes should not influence your marking decisions.

Applying the updated mark schemes carefully and in conjunction with the updated exemplar materials will help you make accurate marking decisions and reduce the risk of marks being adjusted during moderation.

Support available

To support you, we’re providing candidate exemplar materials that focus on applying the updated mark schemes, ready for assessment in 2028. These materials will be published later this term.

We will also offer professional development courses this academic year to support marking for summer 2027, using the current mark scheme. These courses will include new candidate exemplars with marking guidance for summer 2027. The exemplars will also be published with extended commentary.

We encourage you to use the candidate exemplar materials and the professional development training material on Teach Cambridge when applying the assessment criteria and making marking decisions for all our Art and Design qualifications. 

If you have any queries, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email us at art&design@ocr.org.uk.

FAQs

What does this mean for assessment in June 2027?

There is no change to the mark schemes for assessment in June 2027. You should continue to use the current AS and A Level Art and Design mark schemes and guidance for the June 2027 series.

Marks must be awarded according to the published assessment requirements displayed within the marking criteria, based on the standard demonstrated by the candidate's work. Centres should make full use of the available mark range. Previous examination series grade boundaries and outcomes should not influence your assessment decisions. Teachers are encouraged to use the candidate exemplar materials alongside the Professional Development training material on Teach Cambridge when applying the assessment criteria and making marking decisions.

The updated mark schemes will apply from first assessment 2028.

Which version of the specification should we use?

The current specification and mark schemes apply for assessment up to and including June 2027.

We’ll publish the updated specification now, ahead of first assessment in June 2028, so you have time to understand the changes and prepare. During this period, both versions will be available side by side, so please take care to use the correct version for the relevant assessment series.

Does this mean that students won’t perform as well as in previous years?

The standard of the qualification is not changing. However, the updated mark schemes are designed to support more precise and consistent marking, particularly at the top end of the mark range.

This means the raw marks which you give to your students will look different where the updated wording leads to more careful differentiation between strong, very strong and exceptional work. Candidates whose work meets the standard for the highest marks can still be awarded those marks, but the updated wording gives clearer guidance on when that standard has been met. 

Marks must be awarded according to the published assessment requirements and marking criteria, based on the standard demonstrated in the candidate’s work. Previous examination series grade boundaries and outcomes should not influence marking decisions.

This helps maintain the value of the qualification and supports consistent outcomes for all candidates.

What happens if we don’t follow the new mark schemes?

From first assessment 2028, centres must use the updated mark schemes when marking candidates’ work.

If your marks are found to have not been awarded in line with the published assessment requirements and marking criteria, there is a risk that your students’ marks may be adjusted during moderation. Using the updated wording and guidance carefully, and in conjunction with the updated exemplars will help you make accurate marking decisions and reduce the chance of marks being changed.

My students have always performed exceptionally. What happens to them now?

We are not changing the standard of the qualification.

These changes are designed to support teachers in making fine judgements at the top end of the mark scheme and help maintain consistent standards across all centres.

Has the assessment standard changed?

No. The assessment standard has not changed.

The updated mark schemes are intended to make the existing expectations clearer and easier to apply. The number of marking levels and the number of marks within each level remains the same.

Why have you updated the top and bottom levels?

We have updated the wording at the top and bottom levels to make the expectations clearer.

This should help teachers distinguish more confidently between work at different points in the mark range, particularly when deciding whether work meets the standard for the highest marks.

Do we need to change how we teach the qualification?

No. You do not need to change how you teach the qualification.

The updates are focused on how the mark schemes are worded and how the marking level guidance is presented. They are intended to support marking decisions, and do not change the content or structure of the qualification.

Do we need to change our internal standardisation process?

You may want to review your internal standardisation process so that everyone involved in marking is familiar with the updated mark schemes and guidance.

We recommend using the candidate exemplar materials and professional development training materials on Teach Cambridge to support standardisation and marking decisions.

How should we use previous grade boundaries or previous candidate outcomes?

Marks awarded to students should be based purely on the published assessment requirements and marking criteria, based on the standard demonstrated in the candidates’ work for that series.

Previous grade boundaries and candidate outcomes should not be used to inform your marking decisions.

Should we still use the full mark range?

Yes. You should make full use of the available mark range where the candidate’s work supports it.

The updated wording is intended to help teachers place work more accurately within the mark range, including at the highest levels.

What support will be available?

To support you, we’re providing candidate exemplar materials that focus on applying the updated mark schemes, ready for assessment in 2028.

We will also offer professional development courses this academic year to support marking for summer 2027, using the current mark scheme. These courses will include new candidate exemplars with marking guidance for summer 2027. The exemplars will also be published with extended commentary.

To find out more and to book your place, visit our website.

Where can I find the support materials?

You’ll be able to access support materials on Teach Cambridge, including candidate exemplar materials and professional development training materials.

Qualification

• Art and Design - H200, H600 (from 2015)