Pearson Edexcel GCSE Drama Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Drama (specification code 1DR0) develops students' practical theatre skills alongside their knowledge of dramatic texts, theatrical practitioners, and performance contexts, assessed through both practical components and a written examination. With 45 resources, the archive includes written examination papers across the current and legacy specifications. For the current 9-1 specification, Component 3 — Theatre Makers in Practice — is the written examination paper, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 40% of the total GCSE marks (80 marks). Section A questions the set text (two plays are set for each two-year examination cycle, and students study one), requiring analysis of how the text could be performed for a theatrical audience. Section B includes a live theatre review — students analyse a live performance they have attended during the course, evaluating the theatrical decisions made by practitioners. Components 1 and 2 are practical and are not represented in this archive. Component 1 — Devising Drama — involves creating and performing a devised piece (40% of marks), and Component 2 — Performing From Text — involves scripted performance (20% of marks). Both are internally assessed and externally moderated. The legacy papers in this archive (Units 1–3, Papers 3A and 3B) used a different examination structure with different set text options, but developed broadly similar skills in dramatic analysis, theatrical vocabulary, and the practical evaluation of performance. Edexcel GCSE Drama consistently rewards students who demonstrate fluent use of theatrical terminology, detailed knowledge of their set text and theatrical practitioners (particularly those they studied during the course), and the ability to make specific, evaluative references to live performance they have seen.