There are changes to this qualification based on the outcomes of the Ofqual consultation on NEA arrangements for summer 2022. The changes are designed to reduce the pressure on teachers and students in the 2021/22 academic year, and to safeguard against ongoing public health concerns. Please read this information alongside the specification.

Overview of changes for GCSE (9–1) Music

Ofqual have confirmed that students taking GCSE Music in summer 2022 will have a reduction in NEA requirements for performing and composing.

• The practical component is being removed.
• The integrated portfolio will remain.
• Only one performance piece and one composition are now required as part of the integrated portfolio.
• There will no longer be a requirement for an ensemble performance piece, although they may still be submitted.
• The minimum durations will be reduced for both performance and composition.

If you have concerns about an individual candidate’s ability to complete their NEA as required, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact us as soon as possible at general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk

Advance information

This is now available for the assessment of this qualification for summer 2022:

• Advance information finder

GCSE (9–1) Music for academic year 2021/22

Students must complete Integrated portfolio (01 or 02) and Listening and appraising (05) to be awarded GCSE in Music in summer 2022.

There are two submission options, postal submission or electronic upload via the OCR repository. Repository option: Learners must take (01) and (05).

Postal option: Learners must take (02) and (05).

Content overview	Assessment overview
Performance on the learner’s chosen instrument. Composition to a brief set by the learner.	Integrated portfolio (01 or 02) 60 marks Non-exam assessment 60% of total GCSE
Listening and appraising. A written paper, with CD. Aural recognition and context unheard/unfamiliar music from within areas of study 2, 3, 4 and 5.	Listening and appraising (05) 80 marks 1 hour and 30 minutes written paper 40% of total GCSE

• We have removed practical component (03) and (04).
• The integrated portfolio will be weighted up to be worth 60% of the qualification rather than 30%.
• The total length of performance required is a minimum of 1.5 minutes. If including ensemble, it must be 2 minutes.
• Learners may perform several short pieces to meet the minimum duration.
• The total length of composing required is a minimum of 2 minutes.

What has changed?

Specification

Integrated portfolio

The integrated portfolio is now the only NEA component required, consisting of one performance and one composition of the learner’s choice.

There are no changes to the form of assessment or marking criteria – please mark the work out of 60 as normal. Use the integrated portfolio marking criteria and guidance in the specification.

Score/lead sheet requirements remain as normal.

We will weight up the mark to 60% rather than 30% of the overall qualification.

Practical component

This component has been removed. We will not be releasing a board set brief.

Minimum performance durations reduced

Performance: 1.5 minutes (2 mins if including ensemble).

Learners may still perform multiple pieces to meet the performance minimum duration.

Composition: 2 minutes. As the integrated portfolio is the sole NEA component for summer 2022, this is a learner choice composition.

Students must still meet these reduced minimum durations.

The component codes have been removed for both of the practical components 03 and 04 that will not be assessed in 2022.

Forms

The candidate cover sheet and minimum duration statement will be updated for 2022 to reflect the changes being made.

Contact us

You can contact us by email music@ocr.org.uk, on Twitter @OCR_PerformArts or call on 01223 553998.