A Level 3D Design

How is the course externally examined?

Unit 1: Personal Investigation 60%

The personal investigation consists of two integrated constituent parts: a major in-depth critical, practical and theoretical investigative project/portfolio and outcome/s based on themes and subject matter that have personal significance; an extended written element of 1000 words minimum, which may contain images and texts and must clearly relate to practical and theoretical work using appropriate working vocabulary and specialist terminology

Unit 2: The Externally Set Assignment 40%

The Externally Set Assignment consists of two parts:

Part 1: Preparatory study period

• The externally set assignment materials are to be released to learners from 1 February (in the second year of the course) and will consist of a series of visual and written stimuli, which are to be presented to the learner at the start of the preparatory study period. One of the stimuli is to be selected by the learner and used as a starting point from which to elicit a personal response.
• Responses are developed during the preparatory study period. They should take the form of critical, practical and theoretical preparatory work/supporting studies which inform the resolution of ideas in the 15 hours sustained focus study.
• The start of the preparatory study period is defined as the date upon which the externally set assignment materials are presented to the learner. The preparatory study period may commence on or after 1 February. The preparatory study period finishes upon commencement of the sustained focus work.

Part 2: 15 hour period of sustained focus work

• The resolution of learners’ ideas from the preparatory work must be completed during the designated 15 hours and they must show how their planning relates to the outcome/s.
• The period of sustained focus work must be completed under supervised conditions.

How is the course internally assessed?

Coursework is marked every half term where students receive a score and an estimated grade set by the grade boundaries from the exam board set from the previous year. Students are given the opportunity to make progress by working on feedback to ensure they achieve the estimated grade awarded or to work to the next grade.