Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%)

Students complete a 130‑minute examination in which they apply their knowledge and understanding of musical elements and their musicianship skills in creative and innovative ways, to:

• deconstruct, analyse, and interpret musical works 
• manipulate musical elements
• synthesise and express musical literacy and musical ideas.

To enable students to focus on the application of their learning, a sheet with standard chord progressions and key signatures will be provided.

Questions may include, for example:

• notating part of a melody
• completing a given melody using appropriate conventions
• decoding aural rhythms and pitch
• adding extensions to core harmonies
• explaining harmonic structures and stylistic features (e.g. baroque, swing)
• harmonising part of a melody
• extending a melody in a new direction
• analysing and comparing two unfamiliar works (similarities, differences, viewpoints on elements).

The following specific features of the assessment design criteria for this subject are assessed in the examination:

• understanding music — UM2
• creating music — CM1, CM3, CM4
• responding to music — RM1, RM2.