📝 Mini Site 0 — Exam Overview
Exam Overview
Everything you need to know about the written paper — structure, timing, marks, and exactly what each section asks you to do.
📚 What you'll learn on this page
- Name the three compulsory sections, their marks, and the time to spend on each
- Recognise what each section asks you to do — and what makes each one different
- Understand what command words mean and how they should change your answer
- Apply a clear step-by-step formula to 6-mark and 12-mark questions
- Know the most common reasons marks are lost — and how to avoid every one of them
You've got 90 minutes, 80 marks, and three very different jobs to do — all in one paper. The good news? The AQA GCSE Dance written exam has a completely predictable structure. Once you know the rules of each section, nothing can surprise you. This page walks you through the whole paper from start to finish, so you always know exactly what to write and why.
0.1 Know Your Exam
The AQA GCSE Dance written paper has three sections. All three are compulsory — you cannot skip any of them. Here's the full picture at a glance:
90
minutes total
80
marks available
3
compulsory sections
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Q1–13 | 30 | ~30 min | Choreography & performance skills |
| B | Q14–16 | 18 | ~24 min | Your own NEA practical work |
| C | Q17–22 | 30 | ~35 min | The six anthology works |
Examiner's Eye
All three sections are compulsory — you must attempt every question. Section C carries the highest individual question marks on the paper (up to 12 marks in a single question), so it rewards students who have prepared most deeply. Don't leave it to chance.
0.2 Your 90 Minutes at a Glance
Tap any segment of the timeline to reveal the key tip for that part of the exam.
👆 Tap a segment above to see the key tip for that part of the paper.
Two minutes at the start saves you marks later
Spending two minutes at the very beginning to scan ALL the questions — especially in Section A — stops you from missing linked questions. Q1's stimulus connects to everything that follows, so knowing the whole paper before you start writing makes every answer stronger.
0.3 What's in the Paper?
Three sections, all compulsory. Tap any section below to see exactly what the questions look like.
A
Section A — Choreographic Processes & Performing Skills
Q1–13 · 30 marks · ~30 minutes
▼
1–4 marks per question
Unseen stimulus
Q1–7: 'Made-up' choreography using an unseen stimulus. You're given a stimulus — an image, object, poem, or everyday scene — and use it to design your own dance for a solo, duet, or group. The questions build on each other: Q1 asks for your choreographic intent, then later questions ask you to describe a motif, develop it, change the dynamics, structure, or number of dancers.
Q8–13: Performance skills knowledge. Standalone questions on physical, expressive, technical, and mental skills, plus how to design an exercise to improve a specific skill safely and progressively.
Example questions — Section A
- Describe a motif you could choreograph for your dance. Your answer should refer to actions, space and dynamics. (3 marks)
- Explain how you could develop this motif by changing one choreographic skill. (2 marks)
- Describe an exercise to improve the strength of a dancer. Include how it could be progressed over time. (3 marks)
Keep Q1 simple — on purpose
Don't make your first answer complicated. A clear, simple intent is easier to develop in every question that follows. Think: if it's hard to explain, it'll be hard to develop, structure, and analyse all the way through Q7.
B
Section B — Critical Appreciation of Own Work
Q14–16 · 18 marks · ~24 minutes
▼
3 × 6-mark questions
Always: EXPLAIN
Three 6-mark questions about your own Component 1 practical work. One question on your set phrase, one on your duet or trio performance, and one on your own choreography. The command word is always EXPLAIN.
These questions are entirely based on your own experience — no two students will give the same answer. Your job is to explain which skills you used, give a specific movement example, and explain why it was effective. Aim for 8 minutes per question, with a minute at the end to check.
Example questions — Section B
- Explain how your mental skills helped make your duet/trio performance successful. (6 marks)
- Explain how the dance actions you chose helped tell your dance theme in your own choreography. (6 marks)
- Explain how your expressive skills helped communicate the intent of your set phrase. (6 marks)
C
Section C — Critical Appreciation of Professional Works
Q17–22 · 30 marks · ~35 minutes
▼
Up to 12 marks per question
Six anthology works
Questions on the six anthology works. This is the highest-mark section — and it contains three different question types: 1-mark recall, 6-mark explain, and 12-mark discuss or compare. You need solid knowledge of all six works.
The 12-mark questions are the hardest and most rewarding on the entire paper. They require not just facts and examples, but your own personal interpretation and evaluation of the works.
Example questions — Section C
- Name the company that performs Artificial Things. (1 mark)
- Explain how the structure used shows the story in Shadows. (6 marks)
- Discuss how costume and staging contribute to the stimulus of Infra. (12 marks)
- Using your knowledge of both works, compare how lighting is used in Within Her Eyes and A Linha Curva. (12 marks)
Examiner's Eye
The 12-mark question rewards students who go beyond the facts. Saying what you see is not enough — you need to say what it suggests, what it could mean, and what effect it has on the audience. That's what separates Level 3 from Level 4.
0.4 Command Words Guide
The command word tells you exactly what to do. Getting this wrong is the most common way to lose marks. Tap each card to flip it and see what that command word really means — and what a good answer looks like.
Identify / Name / State
1–2 marks
Tap to flip →
Give one word or a short phrase. No explanation needed — just the fact itself.
"The choreographic device used is canon."
Describe
2–3 marks
Tap to flip →
Step-by-step detail — like an instruction manual. Say exactly what you see or what to do.
"Starting centre stage, lunge forwards heavily on the right leg. Swiftly turn on the spot full circle…"
Explain
6 marks
Tap to flip →
Name it. Give a specific example. Say WHY it works. Use the PEE structure.
"I used control during the lift… This was important because it kept us safe and made the movement look smooth and intentional."
Discuss
12 marks
Tap to flip →
Explain PLUS your own personal thoughts, interpretation, and evaluation. Use PEEP or DLIE — both work.
"To me, this suggests… I think this is particularly effective because the audience would feel…"
Analogy Anchor: Command words are like cooking instructions
Identify is just pointing to the ingredient on the shelf. Describe is reading the recipe out loud step by step. Explain is saying why each ingredient makes the dish taste better. Discuss is reviewing the whole finished meal — and giving your own verdict.
0.5 How to Build a Great Answer
The 6-mark explain and the 12-mark discuss are where most marks are won or lost. Use these formulas as your checklist every single time.
📝 6-Mark Answer — PEE
P
Point — Name the skill, feature, or technique clearly
E
Evidence — Give a specific movement example or moment
E
Explain — Say WHY it was effective, link to intent
↻
Repeat — Do this 3–4 more times with different skills
💡 Don't just say "it was effective" — say how and why. Vary your WHYs and link skills to each other.
🎓 12-Mark Answer (Section C) — Choose your framework
P
Point — Make a clear analytical point about the feature
E
Evidence — Specific example or moment from the work
E
Explain — How it works and why the choreographer used it
P
Personal — "To me, this suggests…" or "I think this is effective because…"
D
Describe — What can you see? Describe the feature in detail
L
Link — Link it to the stimulus, intent, or mood of the work
I
Impact — What impact does it have on the audience?
E
Evaluate — How effective is it? Add your personal interpretation
💡 Both frameworks work — pick the one that feels most natural to you. The key is always to include your own personal interpretation to reach Level 4.
0.5.1 The Most Common Reasons Marks are Lost
Can you spot the difference between a habit that costs marks and one that earns them? Select a statement from the bank, then click the correct column to sort it. Place all 8 to unlock the Check button.
Just saying "it was effective" without explaining how or why
Reading the question twice and underlining the command word
Only writing about one work in a question that asks you to compare two
Linking your Section B answer back to your choreographic intent
Spending 40 minutes on Section A and running out of time for Section C
Adding personal interpretation ("To me this suggests…") at the end of a 12-mark answer
Describing a costume or set without saying what it might suggest or mean
Using a specific movement example rather than a vague general comment
❌ Costs you marks
Select a statement, then click here
✅ Good habit
Select a statement, then click here
0.6 Quick Quiz
🎯 Exam Overview — Quick Quiz
Select one answer per question. When you've answered all 10, hit Submit.
1. How many marks is Section A worth?
2. Approximately how many minutes should you spend on Section B?
3. What command word appears in every Section B question?
4. How many questions are in Section B?
5. Which section of the exam carries 12-mark questions?
6. In the PEEP formula, what does the final P stand for?
7. What should you do in the first two minutes of the exam?
8. Section B questions are entirely based on…
9. What does 'discuss' require that 'explain' does NOT?
10. How many marks is each Section B question worth?
Take a screenshot of your score and paste it into your ePortfolio so your teacher can see your progress.
📌 Revisit This — Key Facts
Section A
30 marks · ~30 min · Q1–13 · Choreography design from stimulus + performance skills knowledge
Section B
18 marks · ~24 min · Q14–16 · Your own NEA work · 3 × 6-mark explain questions
Section C
30 marks · ~35 min · Q17–22 · Six anthology works · Up to 12 marks per question
Command words
identify → describe → explain → discuss — each word requires a deeper level of response
6-mark formula: PEE
Point → Evidence → Explain why it was effective or linked to intent. Repeat 3–4 times.
12-mark formula: PEEP or DLIE
PEEP: Point → Evidence → Explain → Personal interpretation. DLIE: Describe → Link → Impact → Evaluate. Both require your own interpretation to reach Level 4.