Non-exam assessment — AQA GCSE English Language

The Non-exam Assessment (NEA) in AQA GCSE English Language is a compulsory component that accounts for 20% of your final grade. It involves creating two pieces of original writing: one piece of creative writing (e.g., a short story, descriptive piece, or script) and one piece of non-fiction writing (e.g., an article, speech, letter, or blog). This assessment allows you to demonstrate your ability to write for different audiences and purposes, showing off your creativity, technical accuracy, and understanding of genre conventions. The NEA is internally assessed by your teacher and externally moderated by AQA, so it's crucial to follow the mark scheme closely.

The NEA is designed to complement the examined components of the course, which focus on reading comprehension and analytical writing. While the exams test your ability to respond to unseen texts, the NEA gives you the freedom to plan, draft, and refine your work over time. This process mirrors real-world writing, where revision and editing are key. You'll need to submit a final version of each piece, along with a brief commentary explaining your choices. The NEA is your chance to showcase your personal voice and interests, so choose topics and genres that genuinely engage you.

To succeed in the NEA, you must understand the assessment objectives (AOs). AO5 focuses on content, organisation, and purpose—making sure your writing is clear, coherent, and appropriate for the task. AO6 targets technical accuracy: spelling, punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary. Both pieces are marked out of 24 (12 for AO5 and 12 for AO6), so you need to balance creativity with precision. The commentary is not separately marked but helps your teacher understand your intentions. Remember, the NEA is not just about writing well; it's about showing you can adapt your style to different forms and audiences.

• →Audience and purpose: Every piece of writing must be tailored to a specific audience (e.g., teenagers, adults, experts) and purpose (e.g., to entertain, persuade, inform). This affects your choice of language, tone, and structure.
• →Genre conventions: Each text type (e.g., article, speech, short story) has expected features. For example, a speech might use rhetorical questions and direct address, while a short story uses narrative techniques like setting and characterisation.
• →Drafting and editing: The NEA process includes planning, writing a first draft, receiving feedback, and revising. This is where you improve clarity, coherence, and technical accuracy.
• →Commentary: A brief (150–200 word) explanation of your choices, such as why you chose a particular genre, how you addressed the audience, and what techniques you used. This shows your understanding of the writing process.
• →Technical accuracy: Marks are awarded for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Use a range of sentence structures and ambitious vocabulary, but avoid errors that disrupt meaning.

• Audibility
• Use of Spoken Standard English
• Expression of ideas, information, and feelings (ranging from straightforward to sophisticated)
• Organization and structure of the presentation
• Ability to meet the needs of the audience
• Achievement of the presentation's purpose
• Ability to listen to and respond to questions and feedback (ranging from straightforward to perceptive/elaborative)

• 💡Ensure the presentation is formal and planned in advance.
• 💡Use pre-prepared notes or visual aids if helpful, though they are not required.
• 💡Ensure the presentation and dialogue are designed to replicate a formal context, such as a television interview, even if the audience is only the teacher.
• 💡Aim to record slightly more than the minimum required sample size to account for potential grade variations.
• 💡Ensure internal standardisation takes place and is signed off by the lead teacher.
• 💡Plan before you write: Spend time brainstorming ideas and structuring your piece. A clear plan helps you stay focused and ensures your writing has a logical flow. For creative writing, consider the narrative arc; for non-fiction, use a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 💡Use the full range of marks: To achieve top marks for AO5, your writing must be sophisticated and engaging. Use varied sentence structures, figurative language (e.g., similes, metaphors), and rhetorical devices (e.g., repetition, rhetorical questions). For AO6, proofread carefully—read your work aloud to catch errors.
• 💡Choose a topic you care about: Your enthusiasm will show in your writing. If you're passionate about a subject, you're more likely to write with conviction and detail. For non-fiction, pick a current issue or personal experience that you can argue or reflect on effectively.

• Lack of preparation, which prevents access to higher grade criteria
• Failure to design the presentation to allow for a potentially wider audience (if the audience is only the teacher)
• Inconsistent marking standards across the centre
• Failure to provide complete and unedited audio-visual recordings for the sample
• Submitting work that is not the student's own or failing to acknowledge sources
• Misconception: The NEA is just creative writing, so I can write anything I want. Correction: While you have freedom, your writing must meet specific task requirements. For example, if you choose to write a speech, it must include features like direct address and persuasive language. Always check the task brief.
• Misconception: The commentary is not important because it's not marked separately. Correction: The commentary helps your teacher understand your choices and can influence their judgement. A weak commentary might suggest you didn't think carefully about your writing. Write it clearly and concisely.
• Misconception: I should use as many fancy words as possible to impress the examiner. Correction: Overly complex vocabulary can make your writing unclear. Focus on using precise, appropriate language that suits your audience and purpose. Accuracy and clarity are more important than showing off.