| Mark | Grading | Comment |
| 36–40 | Outstanding | Impressive and imaginative: the student has stamped their personal musical authority on the performance. |
| 31–35 | Excellent | Convincing throughout: and an engaging performance. Secure technique and sensitivity of style and interpretation. Any errors and/or misjudgements are marginal. |
| 26–30 | Confident | Convincing for most of the time in technique, style and interpretation. Secure technique and sensitive interpretation. Some errors and/or misjudgements, but too few to have a big impact. |
| 21–25 | Competent | Generally secure and conscientious in technique and interpretation. Some errors and/or misjudgements, but the piece still has some direction and flow. |
| 16–20 | Adequate | A serious attempt but probably a performance with limited maturity and assurance. Some control of technique and interpretation. Errors, misjudgements and technical problems begin to be obtrusive, but the performance still broadly holds together. |
| 11–15 | Basic | Positive features are fairly few and the performance inconsistent and/or immature. Basic technical control, fluency and accuracy and a basic understanding of interpretative issues. Errors, misjudgements and technical problems are obtrusive. |
| 6–10 | Limited | Positive features are few. A few encouraging signs, but considerable difficulties with a weak performance in most areas. Perhaps under the required length. |
| 1–5 | Poor | Positive features are very few indeed, being heavily outweighed by errors, misjudgements and technical problems. In practice, a mark in the 1–5 band is appropriate only for work which is seriously under the required performance length and/or difficulty or too incomplete to be marked using the five detailed assessment criteria. |
| 0 | No positive features can be clearly identified. |
How much do I have to perform?
12-15 min performance in any style for solo/ensemble. Make sure you check your timings carefully as you will lose marks for short submissions.
What sort of music can I perform?
The style is your choice – can be in any style and on any instrument. Your music needs to be notated.
What standard does it have to be?
The average standard is Grade 6. If you play an easier piece you will not be able to attain full marks, and additional marks are available for playing higher level music. However, careful choice of repertoire is essential as it may be better to play an easier piece to a higher standard than struggle with a more difficult level.
What do I need to provide for marking?
A recording which we record in school for you
Photocopies of all music performed (the accompaniment is not needed for submission)
How am I marked?
You will be recorded and marked on a number of performances throughout the year of which the best will be chosen and sent to the moderator for marking. For A2 you are also marked on your programme and how well the pieces work together along with the overall performance. The performances are internally assessed and then moderated by Edexcel based on the following criteria: