Year 11 Art

Year 11 Art

Welcome to our Year 11 Art revision hub. Here you can find details of the exam board & specification, when your mock exams will take place, what will be tested in the exam and how you should revise and prepare.

To download a pdf summary of the Art revision information – click here

Exam Board: OCR GCSE Art & Design (Fine Art – J171)

Specification: Click here to access the exam board specification – click here

Mock Exam Details

Final Piece Practical Exam

Tuesday 18 November 11.15am – 3.00pm

Wednesday 19 November 9.00am – 12.15am

Thursday 20 November 11.15am – 3.00pm

What Will My Assessment Test My Knowledge On?

This 10-hour controlled assessment forms 60% of your final GCSE grade when assessed together with your coursework sketchbook. It will demonstrate your ability to meet all four OCR assessment objectives, with a particular focus on AO2 (refinement of ideas and media) and AO4 (presentation of final outcomes). Specifically, it will show that you can:

AO1 – Develop ideas:

Show how your final piece is informed by the work of other artists, designers, or cultural influences you have researched. You will be expected to show a clear creative journey from your initial theme or idea through to your final outcome.

AO2 – Refine ideas through experimentation:

Demonstrate your ability to experiment confidently with a range of materials, techniques, and processes, refining and improving your work based on what you’ve discovered during your media trials. You should apply this understanding effectively in your final piece.

AO3 – Record observations and insights:

Provide evidence of drawing, photography, or written recording that supports your intentions. Your sketchbook should show consistent, high-quality recording of your creative process, including planning, annotation, and reflection.

AO4 – Present a personal and meaningful final outcome:

Produce a final piece that clearly communicates your ideas and intentions. Your outcome should show visual coherence, skill, and a strong link to your research and development work. It must show that you have thought carefully about composition, technique, and meaning.

Your sketchbook and final piece will be marked together to provide a complete view of your creative process — from initial idea to final presentation.

What Should I do to Revise and Prepare for This Assessment?

To prepare for this assessment:

1. Ensure all reference images are pre-printed and ready, as no printing will be allowed during the exam.
2. Complete media trials and have them stuck into your sketchbook, with detailed annotation explaining what worked well, what didn’t, and why.
3. Reflect on your media trials and plan any final adjustments you intend to make to your final piece.
4. Review your artist studies and ensure your intentions and influences are clearly linked to your outcome.

Useful Revision Resources & Links

Remember GCSE Art Club is on every Wednesday afterschool until 4.15 to support you with any unfinished work.

It might be helpful to look at some exemplar coursework:

Pinterest

• Search for terms like “GCSE Art Portfolio” or “GCSE Art Sketchbook”.
• You can find lots of real examples in different styles and with different themes.

YouTube

• Search for videos such as “GCSE Art Sketchbook Flip Through” or “GCSE Art Portfolio Tour”.
• Many students share videos showing their full sketchbooks and final outcomes.

Google Images

• Try searching for “GCSE Art Portfolio OCR” or “GCSE Art Sketchbook Examples”.
• This is useful for seeing quick visual examples of layouts, annotation styles, and finished pieces.

Art Teacher and Education Websites

• Some schools and teachers post full examples of student work online.
• Recommended sites:
  • Student Art Guide – A very helpful site showing high-level coursework and tips for success.
  • Tate Kids – Good for artist research and creative inspiration.
  • BBC Bitesize – Art and Design – Helpful for basic project ideas and revision tips.

OCR Exam Board Website

• Visit the OCR GCSE Art and Design page.
• You can find examiner reports, student examples, and clear advice on what examiners are looking for.