AQA vs Edexcel A-level Drama and Theatre: How the Two Specifications Compare

What do both specifications require?

Both AQA (specification code 7262) and Edexcel (specification code 9DR0) require students to:

• Devise original theatre — create and perform a piece of theatre developed from a stimulus
• Perform in a scripted piece — take part in a rehearsed performance of a dramatic text
• Study theatre practitioners — research and apply the methods of influential theatre directors or practitioners (such as Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, or Berkoff)
• Analyse and evaluate live theatre — attend and write about professional productions

Both qualifications are assessed through a mix of practical performance (assessed by the teacher and a visiting examiner) and written examination.

How is each specification structured?

The 60/40 split between practical and written assessment is the same for both boards. Both boards assess devising at 40%, scripted performance at 20%, and written work at 40%.

How does the devising component compare?

Devising (Component 1 for both boards) is the single largest component in both specifications.

AQA Component 1 requires students to devise a piece of theatre in the style of a chosen practitioner. The process is documented in a portfolio or working notebook, and the final devised piece is performed and assessed by a visiting examiner. Students must demonstrate understanding of the practitioner's methods in how the piece is created and presented.

Edexcel Component 1 also requires devising, but Edexcel frames it around a stimulus provided by the board. Students interpret the stimulus, develop a devised response, and submit a process and evaluation report alongside the performance. The link to a specific named practitioner is not required in the same explicit way as in AQA — though students should still demonstrate awareness of theatrical styles.

For students who enjoy the practitioner-research dimension, AQA's explicit requirement to work in a practitioner's style gives clear focus. For students who prefer more open creative freedom in devising, Edexcel's stimulus-based approach may appeal.

How does the written examination compare?

AQA Component 3 is a written examination covering: study of two set texts (one studied from the perspective of a director, one as a performer), knowledge of a theatre practitioner, and analysis of live theatre. The paper requires students to answer questions drawing on all three areas.

Edexcel Component 3 (Theatre Makers in Practice) is also a written examination requiring analysis of set texts, practitioner study, and live theatre evaluation. Edexcel explicitly frames all written work around the idea of students as theatre makers — interpreting texts as a director, designer, or performer would. Questions ask students to plan and justify creative choices, not just describe what happens in a play.

Both examinations require sustained analytical writing. Extended written answers on both boards should demonstrate precise use of theatrical terminology, specific textual reference, and evaluative judgement.

Which set texts are studied?

Both AQA and OCR publish a set text list updated periodically. Set texts typically include plays from different periods and theatrical traditions — for example, a classical text, a modern text, and a contemporary or international text. The specific plays differ between boards and change across specification cycles.

Checking the current set text list on each board's website is important, as schools select plays from choice columns. A student cannot assume their school's set text will be the same as a friend at a school using a different board.

Frequently asked questions

Is A-level Drama assessed mostly through performances?

Both AQA and Edexcel A-level Drama allocate 60% of marks to practical components (devising and scripted performance). The remaining 40% comes from the written examination. This makes it different from many A-level subjects, where written examinations carry more weight. Students who are confident performers but find written exams difficult should note that 40% still depends on written analytical skill.

Do I need acting experience before starting A-level Drama?

No formal acting experience is required, but enthusiasm for theatre and willingness to work collaboratively are essential. Both boards assess performance quality, but the criteria also reward understanding of theatrical intention, awareness of audience, and the ability to reflect critically on creative choices. Students who attend theatre, read plays, and think analytically about performance are well prepared regardless of prior acting classes.

How important is it to see live theatre for A-level Drama?

Both AQA and Edexcel require students to attend professional productions and write analytically about what they have seen. The written examination includes questions on live theatre, so seeing productions is a curriculum requirement, not merely an enrichment activity. Schools typically organise theatre visits as part of the course.

Does A-level Drama help with applications to drama school or theatre studies degrees?

A-level Drama is useful background for drama school applications, but most drama schools (including RADA, Guildhall, and LAMDA) base entry primarily on audition performance, not academic qualifications. For theatre studies or drama degrees at universities, A-level Drama alongside English Literature or History is a recognised combination. Audition training and practical experience outside school typically matter more for drama school applications than the specific board's A-level.

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