How Does GCSE Coursework and Controlled Assessment Work?

Most reformed GCSEs introduced in England from 2015 onwards are assessed almost entirely by terminal exams taken at the end of Year 11. However, a number of subjects still include a non-exam assessment (NEA) component — practical work, spoken tasks, or extended projects — that contributes a fixed percentage of the final grade.

What is non-exam assessment (NEA) at GCSE?

Non-exam assessment is the official term used by awarding bodies such as AQA, OCR, and Pearson (Edexcel) for any assessed work that does not take place under full examination conditions. It replaced the earlier terms "coursework" and "controlled assessment" for most subjects when GCSEs were reformed. In everyday conversation, many parents and teachers still use the word "coursework" to describe this type of work — but the formal term is NEA.

NEA can take different forms depending on the subject:

Extended written assignments (e.g. a history source enquiry)

Practical investigations (e.g. a science lab report)

Design portfolios (e.g. in art, design and technology, or textiles)

Spoken language endorsements (e.g. English Language — assessed but not contributing marks to the GCSE grade since 2019)

Performance work (e.g. in music or drama)

Which GCSE subjects include non-exam assessment?

The subjects below typically include an NEA component. The exact percentage varies by awarding body and specification — always check the subject specification on the awarding body's website for the precise figure.

Subject | Typical NEA component | Type of NEA
Art and Design | 60% | Portfolio and final piece
Design and Technology | 50% | Design and make project
Computer Science | 20% | Programming project
Music | 30% | Performance and composition
Drama | 40% | Devised and scripted performance
Geography | 15% | Fieldwork report
History | 20–25%* | Source enquiry or thematic study
English Language | Endorsed only | Spoken language presentation
Physical Education | 30–40% | Practical performance
Media Studies | 30% | Media production
Food Preparation and Nutrition | 50% | Practical food investigation and cooking task

*History NEA availability and weighting varies by awarding body and specification.

Core subjects — English Literature, Mathematics, the sciences (as separate GCSEs), and Modern Foreign Languages — are assessed entirely or almost entirely by terminal exams, with no NEA counting towards the final grade.

How does NEA fit into the overall GCSE grade?

NEA marks are added to exam marks and the total is used to determine the final GCSE grade (9–1). The percentage that NEA contributes is fixed by the subject's Ofqual-approved specification. For example, in GCSE Art and Design, 60 per cent of the marks come from the NEA portfolio and final piece, with the remaining 40 per cent from the externally assessed component. In GCSE Geography, only 15 per cent comes from the fieldwork report.

This means a student's performance in NEA can significantly affect their overall grade in arts and practical subjects, but has a smaller effect in heavily exam-based subjects like geography.

How is GCSE NEA marked and moderated?

NEA is typically marked in two stages:

Internal marking — the student's own teacher marks the NEA according to the awarding body's mark scheme. Schools submit their marks to the awarding body.

External moderation — the awarding body selects a sample of students' work and an external moderator checks that the school's marking is consistent with national standards. If the moderator finds the school has been too generous or too strict, all marks from that school are adjusted up or down accordingly.

This moderation process means that a mark awarded by the teacher is not always the final mark that contributes to the grade — it may be scaled after moderation. Parents should be aware of this if a teacher's mark differs from the final confirmed mark after results day.

What conditions does NEA work take place in?

Conditions vary by subject and awarding body, but NEA generally falls somewhere between full examination conditions and unsupervised homework. Common conditions include:

Work completed under supervised classroom conditions with no access to the internet

Work completed in partial supervision with some access to resources (e.g. notes or textbooks)

Work completed over an extended period at home and school, but authenticated by the teacher

Awarding bodies publish detailed guidance on the conditions required for each specification. Schools are responsible for ensuring those conditions are met.

How can parents support their child with NEA?

Parents can play a helpful role without crossing into academic malpractice. The key distinction is between support and doing the work for the student.

Permitted parental support:

Discussing ideas and helping the student plan their approach

Reading drafts and giving general feedback ("this section isn't very clear")

Providing materials or resources (for art or DT projects)

Encouraging time management and meeting internal deadlines

Not permitted:

Writing or rewriting any part of the submission

Correcting specific errors or sentences

Completing any section of a portfolio or report

Providing substantial research that is then copied into the work

If a school suspects that a student's NEA has had substantial outside assistance, it must report this to the awarding body. In serious cases, the awarding body can disqualify the student from the subject.

What if a student misses NEA deadlines?

Schools set internal deadlines for NEA work that are earlier than the awarding body's submission deadline, to allow time for marking and moderation. Missing a school deadline may not automatically disqualify a student, but missing the final submission deadline set by the awarding body can result in the NEA component being marked as zero — potentially making it impossible to pass the overall GCSE.

If a student is unable to complete NEA due to illness or a serious disruption, the school can apply for special consideration from the awarding body. This may result in an estimated mark being awarded based on the student's performance in other components.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child redo NEA work if they are unhappy with it?

Whether a student can revise NEA work depends on the awarding body's rules for that specification. In most subjects, once a draft has been assessed or formally submitted, students cannot make further changes. Some specifications allow one draft with teacher feedback before final submission. Check the subject specification carefully, as the rules differ between awarding bodies and subjects.

Does NEA work still count if my child is resitting the GCSE?

If a student resits a GCSE in a subsequent exam series, they typically need to redo any NEA component as well, unless the awarding body has granted permission to carry forward the original NEA mark. Rules on carrying forward marks vary by awarding body and year, so it is worth contacting the school or awarding body directly.

How is spoken language assessed in GCSE English Language?

Since 2019, the spoken language endorsement in GCSE English Language is assessed separately and reported on the certificate as Distinction, Merit, or Pass — but it does not contribute any marks to the numerical grade. Students give a prepared spoken presentation and respond to questions. It is still compulsory and must be completed for the GCSE to be awarded.

My child's school says they cannot accept late NEA. Is that right?

Schools are permitted to set their own internal deadlines, which are typically several weeks before the awarding body's final submission date. If a student misses the school's internal deadline, the school may decline to accept the work, leaving the NEA component unscored. However, schools should also have a procedure for managing late work where there are extenuating circumstances. If you believe the situation is unfair, contact the SENCO or the head of year and, if necessary, request a formal review.

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