Assessment
To gain the Final Award of the course, the student must achieve all the
component units of the course as well as the external assessment. External
assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment in the final course
award. The award of Higher Drama will be based on a combination of internal
and external assessments.
Internal Assessment
Each unit is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students will be required to provide
evidence of the achievement of each of the learning outcomes for each
component unit. For Unit 1 the evidence will be a Portfolio and a NAB. For units
2 and 3, a NAB will be the evidence. Opportunities will be provided for those
who fail unit tests to re-sit them.
External Assessment
The external Course assessment will consist of one question paper and an acting
examination.
a. The question paper will be of two hours 30 minutes' duration, and will have a
maximum mark of 60, allocated asfollows:
•One essay on the prescribed text - 20 marks
•One dramatic commentary - 20 marks
•One essay on contemporary Scottish theatre - 20 marks
The question paper represents 50% of the total Course Assessment.
b. The acting examination will be externally assessed by a Visiting Examiner, and
will have a maximum mark of 40. Candidates will be required to demonstrate
their acting roles as follows:
•One based on one of the prescribed texts (see Course outline)
•One based on a text form from contemporary Scottish theatre
The acting examination represents 50% of the total Course Assessment
Each acting piece will be marked out of 20 as follows: 5 marks for
characterisation skills; 5 marks for voice; 5 marks for movement; 5 marks for
impact on the audience.
Written Exam
The external examination for Higher Drama is a question paper with 3 sections.
Each section contains a specific task
•Section A relates to the study of a set text (Unit 2)
•Section B is a practical exercise in direction (Unit 2)
•Section C relates to the study of Contemporary Scottish Theatre (Unit 3)
Each task carries a value of 20 marks. The total for the paper is 60 marks and
the duration of the examination paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Section A
You need to write an essay on The Crucible. The essay will show your knowledge
of the play and your views on themes which the text addresses. These
responses should be as an actor or director as each question demands. You only
answer 1 question from a choice of 4.
These essay questions are frequently in two parts. Where this is evident in the
structure of the question, a maximum of 10 marks should be allocated to each
part of the question. An additional mark may be awarded for good use of
quotation. An additional mark may be awarded for a well structured essay with a
good introduction and conclusion.
The total mark for the essay is 20 marks.
Section B
You need to respond to an extract of The Crucible or from an extract which is
an example of a Contemporary Scottish Text. Each extract is approximately 2
pages in length and has no stage directions included. You need to mark the
script at appropriate points for moves and other directorial actions - these may
include notes for actors on movement and voice and technical effects which
would enhance the presentation of the extract.
To aid you in this practical task, the Answer Book has pages divided into 3
columns which are headed
1."Moves and Interpretative Notes for Actors"
2."Justification"
3."Technical Effects"
Your responses should be placed in the appropriate column. The allocation of
marks for each column is as follows:
•Moves etc. - 7 marks
•Justification - 7 marks
•Technical Effects - 2 marks
Responses in each column should include the following:
•Blocking moves using appropriate terminology e.g. up stage, stage left, crosses
etc. If you fail to do this a maximum of 4 marks will be awarded for this column.
•Notes on Voice, Movement, Gesture, Mood. Where you do not provide notes for
voice or gesture or details of mood the maximum award for this column should
be 4 marks.
•For justification, you must offer reasons for movement, voice, mood, gesture
etc. These reasons should fit the extract but should also show their wider
knowledge of the text and how the actions in the extract relate to the plot and
characterisation.
•For technical effects, you need to describe the lighting state at the start of
the extract and provide one other technical effect for the extract. Both these
effects should be justified. If you suggest"lights up" at the beginning of the
extract and "lights fade to blackout" at the end of the extract when it is part
of a larger scene or act, you will only receive a maximum of 1 mark for this
colum
You must also draw a ground plan of the set relating to their chosen extract.
This should contain the following information:
•A plan view of the set.
•An indication of exits and entrances for the actors.
•The starting positions of the actors at the commencement of the extract.
•The position of the audience in relation to the stage or acting area.
•A suitable key relating to the above.
•The total for the Ground Plan is 4 marks.
The total for the Section B task is 20 marks.
Section C
Candidates are asked to write one essay from a selection of 8. There are 2
essays in each of the following 4 categories:
•Social, Political and Religious Dimensions
•Use of History, Nostalgia and Popular Tradition
•Issues of Gender
•Current Productions and Issues
You need to write about your knowledge of two or more plays and your views on
themes which the texts address. These responses should not be a retelling of
the plot but should demonstrate that you are able to show how issues and
themes are dealt with in the texts selected.
Total duration for Sections A B and C is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
CST Strands
Writing a CST Essay
Acting Examination
•Role 1 - 20 marks
•Role 2 - 20 marks
Marked as follows:
5 marks for characterisation skills
5 marks for voice
5 marks for movement
5 marks for impact on audience
Total 100 marks
The Final Award will be based a weighting of:
Question Paper 50%
Acting Examination 50%