Controlled Assessments Information

Controlled Assessments

and preparation for the Unit 4 composition task

You are about to start the controlled assessment composition phase of your course. Controlled Assessments are part of the new specification GCSE course and aim to create ‘near to exam conditions’ in the classroom.

What are the rules?

• You must sign Mrs Briggs’ timesheet which logs the time you have spent on your composition at the start of each session.
• You must complete your composition within the 25 hours of controlled time.
• You are not allowed to leave the classroom without first asking permission.
• You are not allowed to work on your composition outside of supervised class time.
• You are not allowed to ask for help from your classmates. (You can ask Mrs Briggs or Mr Poffley for guidance)
• You can compose in any style/genre.
• You must combine 2 or more Areas of Study in your composition.
• You must complete a score. The score can be in tab or include tab notation.

Tips from Mrs Briggs:

• Logging on to the computer can take ages so get to class early or pop in first thing in the morning/during lunch and log on and load Sibelius.

• Make sure you regularly save your work and at the end of the last composing session of the day save your updated composition to the music department data stick.

• If you have computer problems let Mrs Briggs or Mr Poffley know straight away – there will be a spare computer set up ready to go.

• If you know you will be absent or have been absent arrange a suitable after school time so that you can catch up with Mrs Briggs asap.

• Bring a drink into the classroom with you but make sure you leave it on the desks – well away from electrical things!

• Enjoy the composing – this is your one chance to compose in any genre/style you want for any instruments that you want!!