Pearson Edexcel GCSE Art and Design Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Art and Design (specification code 1AD0) is a predominantly portfolio-based qualification, with 60% of marks awarded for coursework (Component 1: Personal Portfolio) and 40% for the Externally Set Assignment (Component 2: ESA). With 28 resources in this archive, the collection focuses primarily on the ESA question papers and mark schemes across multiple years and specialisms. Component 1 — Personal Portfolio — is a sustained piece of practical work developed throughout the course, submitted as a portfolio of work. It is worth 60% of the total GCSE marks. Students are assessed on their ability to develop ideas through investigations, refine work, record ideas and observations, and present a final outcome. This component is assessed internally by the teacher and moderated by Edexcel. Component 2 — Externally Set Assignment (ESA) — is the examination component, worth 40% of marks. Students receive the assignment question paper (Paper 2) in advance, with a preparation period of several weeks during which they develop preparatory studies and ideas. The final supervised outcome is then completed in 10 hours of controlled time. The ESA question papers in this archive set the starting points and themes for this process. The GCSE Art and Design specification at Edexcel encompasses multiple endorsed titles — including Art, Craft and Design; Fine Art; Graphic Communication; Textile Design; Three-Dimensional Design; Photography; and Digital Art and Design. The ESA question papers are common to all titles, providing thematic starting points that students interpret through their chosen medium and endorsement. Mark schemes and examiner guidance in this archive explain how the four assessment objectives (AO1: Develop, AO2: Refine, AO3: Record, AO4: Present) are weighted and applied across the full range of media and approaches.