What is IGCSE Art?

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The Cambridge IGCSE Art & Design syllabus aims to encourage a personal response by stimulating imagination, sensitivity, conceptual thinking, powers of observation and analytical ability. Learners gain confidence and enthusiasm as they develop technical skills in two and three dimensional form and composition, and are able to identify and solve problems in visual and tactile forms. They also learn how to develop ideas from initial attempts to final solutions. An ideal foundation for further study, Cambridge IGCSE Art & Design also develops a greater awareness of the role played by the visual arts in society and in history, broadening cultural horizons and individual experience

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The course is divided into two components over the two year program.  Each component is weighted equally:

 

Component 1: Coursework - 50%

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The first component is theme-based on a subject of the students choosing/instructors approval. 

 

There are two parts to this component: 

• the portfolio, which consists of the first 7-8 sheets of A2 paper. These sheets cover the course assessment objectives through research, experimentation, and refinement of the students chosen theme.  It is heavily reliant upon artwork created through observational drawing of primary images (first-hand/students own) and secondary images (web-based or other). 
  These first 7-8 sheets are a developmental portfolio leading up to the final outcome
   

• the final outcome, which is an artwork showing the cumulation of understanding gained from creating the portfolio and directly reflects the thematic idea development from all previous sheets.  It is the final and most refined artwork of Component 1 and should reflect the highest level of effort using a combination of ideas, materials and techniques. 
  It is presented on the last A2 sheet.

 
Component 1 consists of a maximum of 9 - A2 sheets in total. 

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Component 2: Examination- 50%

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The second component is an externally set assignment and is marked by Cambridge International. Students will receive a question paper from Cambridge Intl., which they will choose one prompt question from. This will be their theme for Component 2. 

 

There are two parts to this component:

• the supporting studies, which students will create during the approximate 4 months preparation period after receipt of the question paper and before the supervised test (final outcome).

• a final outcome, produced during a supervised test of 8 hours’ total duration.

  Students are allowed bring in their supporting study sheets and to work in any media during the 8 hour examination.

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Component 2 consists of 5 - A2 sheets in total. 

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