Drama GCSE Exam Information
Drama is a popular option and results are consistently very high.
We follow the Cambridge International IGCSE Drama specification. Drama students develop high level performance skills through work on devised and scripted projects. They study the theatrical possibilities of play texts and examine how they can be taken from page to stage. In addition, Drama students are taken to see a variety of professional live theatre productions and develop knowledge of theatrical styles, genres and theatre practitioners. Parents are invited to Holden Hall to see Coursework Assessed performances in Year 10 and Year 11. The IGCSE course is excellent preparation for those who may wish to continue to A Level Drama & Theatre.
Course Structure
Component 1: Written Examination 40% Externally examined
The written exam consists of a mixture of short answer questions and longer essay style questions about performance, design and technical aspects of play scripts and their own work.
Sections A and B: Questions on extracts from two plays supplied as pre-release material by the exam board at the beginning of Year 11. Teachers do not have any choice as to which texts are taught.
Section C: Questions about the devised performance that students have prepared and performed for coursework.
Component 2: Coursework 60% Internally assessed/ Externally moderated
Students submit three pieces of practical coursework. They are marked as an individual.
- One individual piece (1.30–3 minutes)
- One performance of an extract from a play (monologue)
- Two group pieces (Devised maximum 20 minutes and Scripted maximum 15 minutes)
- one performance of an extract from a play (scripted)
- one original devised piece.
Year 10: Pupils spend the first half term developing devising skills in a short project. They also begin to practise exam style questions. In November, pupils start work on researching, developing and devising their first piece of assessed coursework; the group original devised piece. This is performed and assessed in early February.
They then begin work on their monologues which they will perform in the June of Year 10. Alongside monologue practice they prepare for the end of year exam. The Year 10 Written Exam requires students to answer questions based on the development and evaluation of their practical coursework and on a short extract from a play selected by the department.
Year 11: The first half of the Autumn Term is spent studying Extract 1 for the written exam ready for the Trial Exam in December. Alongside the written work pupils begin preparing for their final piece of assessed coursework. The group script performance takes place just before the Spring half term. The rest of the Spring Term is used to study the second text extract in preparation for the written examination. After the Easter holiday, lessons are focused on revision of all three sections of the written exam.
Exam Board: Cambridge International IGCSE Drama
