AQA A-Level Art, Craft & Design is a dynamic course that encourages exploration across a wide range of media, techniques, and artistic forms. It not only fosters technical skills but also cultivates critical thinking and personal expression, making it essential for budding artists aiming to pursue further education or careers in creative fields.
AQA A-Level Art and Design past exam papers. AQA exam papers are provided for Art and Design (7201-7206, 7241-7246) and History of Art (2250). You can download the papers and marking schemes by clicking on the links below.
AQA Art and Design Specimen papers (7201-7206, 7241-7246)
A-Level – Art, Craft and Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
A-Level – Fine Art – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
A-Level – Graphic Communication – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
A-Level – Photography – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
A-Level – Textile Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
A-Level – Three-Dimensional Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Art, Craft and Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Fine Art – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Graphic Communication – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Photography – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Textile Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
AS – Three-Dimensional Design – Externally Set Assignment – Download assessment material
June 2018 AQA A-Level Histroy of Art (2250) past exam papers and mark schemes
Unit 1 – Visual Anaylsis and Interpretation – Download Insert – Download Paper – Download Mark Scheme
Unit 2 – Themes in History of Art – Download Paper – Download Mark Scheme
Unit 3 – Investigating and Interpretation 1 – Download Paper – Download Mark Scheme
Unit 4 – Investigating and Interpretation 2 – Download Paper – Download Mark Scheme
Examiner report – June 2023 New
Published 12 Jul 2024 | PDF | 167 KB
Standardisation: example work index
Published 11 Apr 2024 | PDF | 170 KB
Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 74 KB
Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOC | 520 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 1 NEA – personal investigation 2025
Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 90 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment 2025
Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 90 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 1 NEA – personal investigation 2025
Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 362 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment 2025
Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 361 KB
Notes and guidance: practical guidance for non-exam assessment
Published 20 Sep 2023 | PDF | 161 KB
Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 179 KB
Notes and guidance: Marking guidance spidergrams
Published 5 Apr 2023 | PDF | 1017 KB
Published 7 Mar 2023 | DOC | 283 KB
Published 7 Mar 2023 | PDF | 114 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 1 NEA – personal investigation 2024
Published 7 Mar 2023 | PDF | 160 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment 2024
Published 7 Mar 2023 | PDF | 161 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 1 NEA – personal investigation 2024
Published 7 Mar 2023 | DOCX | 256 KB
Candidate record form (A-level): Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment 2024
Published 7 Mar 2023 | DOCX | 254 KB
NEA task (A-level): Photography: Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment – Sample set 1
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 196 KB
NEA task (A-level): Textile design: Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment – Sample set 1
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 196 KB
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 223 KB
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 228 KB
NEA task (A-level): Fine art: Component 2 NEA – externally set assignment – Sample set 1
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 209 KB
Published 24 Apr 2015 | PDF | 210 KB
The Significance of AQA A-Level Art, Craft & Design
AQA A-Level Art, Craft & Design is a dynamic course that encourages exploration across a wide range of media, techniques, and artistic forms. It not only fosters technical skills but also cultivates critical thinking and personal expression, making it essential for budding artists aiming to pursue further education or careers in creative fields.
Why Past Papers are Crucial
1. Understanding Evaluation Standards
Past papers provide insight into the grading criteria and standards expected by AQA, which helps students align their projects with examiners’ expectations.
2. Exploring a Variety of Artistic Responses
Examining the work of previous students through past papers can inspire and broaden one’s approach to art, offering new perspectives and techniques to consider in their own practice.
3. Grasping Thematic Breadth
Past exam papers reveal the range of themes that may be explored in assessments, aiding students in preparing for the breadth of conceptual inquiries that might be posed.
Leveraging Past Papers for AQA A-Level Art, Craft & Design Mastery
1. Start with Structure
Begin by understanding the structure of the exam and the types of projects that have been assigned in past years. This foundational knowledge will guide your preparation from an informed perspective.
2. Thematic Analysis
Regularly review past papers to analyze the themes and prompts used. This will help you develop a strategy for quickly conceptualizing and responding to various artistic challenges.
3. Critique and Compare
Use past papers to critique previous works, comparing them against the marking schemes to understand how certain responses achieved higher grades. This critical practice will refine your evaluative skills and artistic judgment.
4. Simulated Exams
Create your own responses to past exam themes as if in an actual exam setting. This simulation will enhance your ability to manage time and develop coherent artistic solutions under pressure.
5. Feedback Loop
After creating your artworks, seek feedback from educators or peers. This input is invaluable as it provides different perspectives on your work, offering opportunities for improvement and refinement.
6. Iterative Improvement
Use the insights gained from feedback and self-assessment to make iterative improvements to your artwork. This process of revision and enhancement is crucial for growth and development in art.
7. Technical Skill Enhancement
Identify the technical skills frequently showcased in top-scoring past paper submissions and dedicate time to mastering these skills through practice and experimentation.
8. Balanced Wellbeing
While preparing for your exams, maintain a balanced lifestyle that supports both mental and physical health. Creative output is at its best when the artist feels well and energized.
9. Portfolio Development
Use the diversity of responses found in past papers to guide the development of a varied and robust portfolio that showcases your range and adaptability as an artist.
10. Leveraging Digital Resources
Complement your study with online resources such as video tutorials, virtual art galleries, and digital art tools. These resources can provide additional inspiration and technical guidance.
Conclusion
Utilizing past papers in AQA A-Level Art, Craft & Design is more than a preparation strategy; it is a critical pathway to understanding the nuances of artistic assessment and elevating your own creative practice. By integrating these insights into your artistic development, you position yourself for success not only in examinations but in your future artistic endeavors.