Strengths in one or more aspects may balance relative weaknesses elsewhere.
Compositions will be marked according to the following six bands of assessment in combination with the musical aspects listed above.
30–26
The composition is musically stimulating, interesting and satisfying.
The candidate demonstrates the successful and imaginative creation of musical ideas in relation to the Areas of Study selected.
There is a sense of completeness in the music and there is evidence of development of the musical ideas.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources is idiomatic.
The score is accurate and contains detailed performance directions appropriate to the chosen style of the music.
25–21
The composition is imaginative and largely satisfying.
The candidate demonstrates a sound sense of understanding of musical ideas in relation to the Areas of Study selected.
There is a sense of wholeness in the music with some development of the musical ideas presented.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources demonstrates understanding of the techniques required.
The score contains sufficient detail to reflect the candidate’s intentions, though some details may be missing.
20–16
The composition is largely effective.
The candidate demonstrates some understanding of the musical ideas in relation to the Areas of Study selected.
There is a competent handling of the musical ideas.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources demonstrates some understanding of the techniques required.
The score shows some accuracy but may contain some omissions and/or inaccuracies.
15–11
The candidate demonstrates limited understanding of the musical ideas in relation to the Areas of Study selected.
There are some limitations in the handling of the musical ideas.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources may present inconsistencies in their deployment.
The score shows some musical ideas clearly.
10–6
The composition is partially effective.
The composition works but at a basic level.
The candidate demonstrates a basic understanding of the musical ideas presented in relation to the Areas of Study selected.
There may be some incoherence in the handling of musical ideas.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources appears simplistic and may lack finish.
The score shows inconsistencies and is not accurately presented.
5–1
The candidate demonstrates a rudimentary understanding of the ideas in relation to the Areas of Study.
Musical ideas lack coherence and may appear incomplete.
Writing for instruments, voices and sound sources lacks understanding.
The score is inaccurate and incomplete.
0 The candidate’s work shows no evidence of the skills being assessed. The composition is very rudimentary.
