A-Level Drama and Theatre Exam Structure: Written Exam, Devising and Performance

What are the three components of A-Level Drama and Theatre?

Under the AQA specification (the most commonly offered), the three components are:

Components 2 and 3 are assessed by the school and moderated externally by AQA. Component 1 is an externally marked written examination sat in May or June of Year 13.

What does Component 1 (the written exam) cover?

Component 1 tests students' ability to analyse theatre using theoretical and practical knowledge. It has three sections:

Section A requires students to answer questions on one of two AQA-set plays studied in detail — often called the Set Text. Students must understand the text from multiple perspectives: its historical and social context, its dramatic structure, how a director might stage it, and how a designer might interpret it visually.

Section B requires students to write about the work of a theatre practitioner (e.g., Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Brook, or another figure from the approved list) and explain how their approach has influenced their own practical work in the course.

Section C asks students to evaluate a piece of live theatre they have seen during the course. Students must maintain a live theatre evaluation log throughout Years 12 and 13 and write a critical analysis of one production in the exam.

A typical exam structure:

1. Short-answer question on the set text (10 marks)
2. Extended question: how would you stage a section of the set text? (30 marks)
3. Question on the practitioner studied (20 marks)
4. Live theatre evaluation (20 marks)

What is Component 2 (Creating Original Drama)?

Component 2 is a group devising project — typically for groups of two to five students — in which students create an original piece of theatre inspired by a stimulus provided by AQA.

The component is assessed on two elements:

1. The devised performance: the group presents their original piece to an audience. It must draw on the working methods of a studied practitioner (chosen in consultation with the teacher) and demonstrate understanding of theatre as a craft.

2. The portfolio: each student produces an individual written or recorded portfolio documenting the development of the piece — research, rehearsal reflections, decisions about staging, set, lighting, sound, and costume, and an evaluation of the final performance.

The portfolio is marked separately from the performance and accounts for a substantial portion of Component 2 marks. Students who produce strong practical work but write poor portfolios will score significantly lower than their performance merits.

What is Component 3 (Making Theatre)?

Component 3 requires students to perform two scripted extracts from a single published play. The two extracts must:

• Come from the same play (chosen by the school from any published work not used as the Component 1 set text)
• Each run for approximately 10 minutes
• Together demonstrate a range of performance skills

Students may perform as an actor, a designer (realising costume, set, sound, or lighting design), or a director (with a director's log). Each student performs in front of an assessor (the teacher or visiting AQA moderator).

Component 3 is worth 20% of the total grade and is typically completed in Year 13 alongside the devising work and in preparation for the final written exam.

What practitioners are studied in A-Level Drama and Theatre?

Students must study at least one practitioner whose work significantly influences their Component 2 devising approach. AQA-approved practitioners include:

Teachers typically choose one or two practitioners to study in depth, and these must inform both the devised piece and the written component.

How is A-Level Drama and Theatre graded?

The final grade is A*, A, B, C, D, E or U. The A* requires at least 80% overall and at least 90% across Components 1 and 2 combined.

As a rough guide:

• An A typically requires around 70–76% across all three components
• A C typically requires around 50–56%

Students who are strong performers but weak writers — or strong writers but uncomfortable on stage — often find the balance between components challenging and should seek feedback on their weaker area early in the course.

Frequently asked questions

Do students need drama experience to take A-Level Drama and Theatre?

GCSE Drama is a common (but not universal) prerequisite. Schools differ: some require it, others accept enthusiastic beginners. The course is genuinely demanding — it requires confidence in live performance, sustained analytical writing, and the ability to collaborate under pressure — so a student with no prior stage experience should discuss realistic expectations with the Drama department before choosing it.

How much time does Component 2 devising take?

Component 2 is the most time-intensive part of the course. Group rehearsals, individual portfolio writing, and iterative development of the piece together require a substantial commitment outside timetabled lessons. Most schools dedicate a significant portion of Years 12 and 13 contact time to it, but students should expect to contribute additional rehearsal time independently. Groups that start devising late or leave portfolio writing to the last minute consistently underperform relative to their practical ability.

Can students direct rather than act in the performance components?

Yes. In Component 3, students may fulfil a design role (creating and documenting a realised design for costume, set, sound, or lighting) or a director's role (directing the group and submitting a director's log). Both alternatives are formally assessed and can score just as highly as acting. Students with strong conceptual and analytical skills but less comfortable performing often excel as designers or directors.

Does A-Level Drama and Theatre help with university applications for Theatre or Performing Arts?

It is highly relevant and often expected for applications to Drama, Theatre, or Performing Arts degrees and courses. Many drama schools and conservatoires specify relevant A-Level work in their entry criteria or use A-Level Drama as evidence of commitment to the craft. For academic theatre studies at universities (as opposed to vocational conservatoire training), the analytical writing skills developed — particularly in the written exam — are directly applicable.

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