Exam Rubric

Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

Candidates answer two compulsory questions. The first requires them to describe and evaluate

their skills development over the course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to

Advanced Portfolio. The second asks them to identify one production and evaluate it in relation to

one theoretical concept.

Question 1(a) requires candidates to describe and evaluate their skills development over the

course of their production work, from Foundation Portfolio to Advanced Portfolio. The focus of this

evaluation must be on skills development, and the question will require them to adapt this to one or

two specific production practices. The list of practices to which questions will relate is as follows:

 Digital Technology

 Creativity

 Research and planning

 Post-production

 Using conventions from real media texts

In the examination, questions will be posed using one or two of these categories.

Where candidates have produced relevant work outside the context of their A Level media course,

they are free to additionally refer to this experience.

Question 1(b) requires candidates to select one production and evaluate it in relation to a media

concept. The list of concepts to which questions will relate is as follows:

 Genre

 Narrative

 Representation

 Audience

 Media language

In the examination, questions will be set using one of these concepts only. (but you would need to prepare for all)

In some circumstances, candidates will be expected to select the production that appears to relate

most effectively to the specific concept that arises in the exam question. However, the requirement

for candidates to evaluate one of their productions in relation to a concept does not assume that

the concept will necessarily always fit easily and in an orthodox way. Thus in some cases

candidates will be describing their productions in terms of them not relating straightforwardly to the

concept. For example, a candidate producing three websites over their two portfolios might

describe ways in which websites cannot be understood easily through applying conventional

narrative theory. Whether the candidate applies the concept to the product or uses the production

to challenge the concept, it is essential that candidates are sufficiently knowledgeable about the

concept for either approach. Candidates may choose to write about work undertaken at AS or A2,

main task or preliminary/ancillary.