100+ Free CCEA GCE Performing Arts Practice Questions

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Key Facts: CCEA GCE Performing Arts Exam

Assessment units (AS 1, AS 2, A2 1, A2 2)

CCEA GCE Performing Arts specification 2016

40/60

AS / A2 share of full A Level

CCEA specification at a glance

LC11

Subject classification code

CCEA specification

40.8%

Overall AO3 application weighting

CCEA AO weightings table

100

Free English MCQ study questions here

OpenExamPrep practice bank

CCEA GCE Performing Arts (2016) is an applied AS/A Level (AS 40% + A2 60%) assessed through four units of portfolio, controlled writing and live performance/production—not MCQs. Students specialise in one performance or production discipline, plan events, prepare for employment and realise a Commission Brief with an admin role. This free bank offers 100 English MCQs for theory and judgment only; it does not simulate or replace official practical assessment.

Sample CCEA GCE Performing Arts Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCEA GCE Performing Arts exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In CCEA GCE Performing Arts Unit AS 1, how many contrasting extracts of repertoire must each student develop?

A.One extract presented individually only

B.Two contrasting extracts of existing repertoire

C.Three extracts chosen by the external examiner

D.Four extracts, one for each assessment objective

Explanation: Unit AS 1 requires students to explore two contrasting extracts of repertoire drawn from existing material such as musical scores, set works or published extracts. One extract is developed individually and the second is realised in a small group, with research, action planning and recorded skills development for both.

2What is the required total recorded length of the two AS 1 performance or production presentations for each student?

A.Between 5 and 10 minutes in total

B.Between 10 and 20 minutes in total

C.Exactly 30 minutes per extract

D.Between 40 and 60 minutes in total

Explanation: The specification states that the two contrasting extracts of repertoire last between 10 and 20 minutes in total and must be recorded for monitoring and scrutiny. That total covers both extracts, not each extract separately at half an hour.

3Which three stages of skills development must performance students record for each AS 1 extract of repertoire?

A.Audition, dress rehearsal and press night only

B.Baseline performance, mid-process performance showing development, and final performance

C.Peer review, teacher report and external moderation only

D.Warm-up, cool-down and injury log only

Explanation: AS 1 requires a recording that includes three stages for each extract: a baseline performance at the beginning, a mid-process performance showing development, and the final performance. Production students follow the same three-stage model with presentations rather than full performances.

4Which components belong in an AS 1 skills audit linked to the student’s chosen discipline?

A.Only a list of favourite performances and ticket prices

B.A skills list, experience to date, current ability level, and areas for development

C.Only the teacher’s predicted grade and UCAS points

D.Only a seating plan and box-office spreadsheet

Explanation: The skills audit summarises the student’s level of skill against research into their discipline. It includes a chosen-discipline skills list, experience to date, current ability, and areas for development, informing action plans for each extract.

5For AS 1 research into the chosen discipline, which three sections must the summary of research cover?

A.Budget, marketing and front-of-house staffing only

B.Style and genre; skills required; and current professional practice including new technologies

C.Only union membership, agent contracts and tax codes

D.Only fire exits, first-aid kits and insurance certificates

Explanation: The AS 1 research summary has three sections: style and genre within the chosen discipline; skills required; and current professional practice including use of new technologies. That research underpins the skills audit and repertoire choices.

6Which performance disciplines may a CCEA GCE Performing Arts student choose within the Performance pathway?

A.Dance, drama or music only

B.Costume design, set design or lighting only

C.Front of house, press officer or education officer only

D.Choreography, direction or stage management only

Explanation: Within Performance, students choose dance, drama or music. Costume/set design, choreography, direction, musical direction, stage management and lighting/sound technical work sit in the Production pathway. Administrative roles such as front of house appear in A2 2 alongside a performance or production discipline.

7Which of the following is a Production discipline available under the CCEA GCE Performing Arts specification?

A.Press officer

B.Stage management

C.Budget and finance officer

D.Education officer

Explanation: Stage management is a listed Production discipline (alongside choreography, design, direction, musical direction and technical lighting or sound). Press officer, budget and finance, and education officer are administrative roles taken in Unit A2 2 in addition to a performance or production discipline.

8In drama performance skills for this specification, what does ‘proxemics’ primarily refer to?

A.The historical period of the play text

B.The use of space and distance between performers (and audience) to create meaning

C.The volume setting on the sound desk only

D.The colour temperature of stage lanterns only

Explanation: Proxemics concerns spatial relationships—how near or far performers stand from each other and from the audience—and how those distances communicate status, intimacy, threat or isolation. It is listed among movement skills in the specification alongside gesture, levels and spatial awareness.

9Which set of vocal skills is explicitly listed for performance students in the CCEA GCE Performing Arts specification?

A.Accent, clarity, inflection, pace, pause, pitch, projection, tone and volume

B.Only MIDI mapping, EQ and compression

C.Only gobo selection and shutter cuts

D.Only box-office yield and dynamic pricing

Explanation: Performance learning outcomes list vocal skills including accent, clarity, inflection, pace, pause, pitch, projection, tone and volume. MIDI/EQ/compression belong to sound technology; gobos/shutters to lighting; box-office yield to FOH administration.

10Why must AS 1 students research the social, cultural and historical background of each repertoire extract?

A.To replace practical rehearsal with essay writing only

B.To inform interpretation, style choices and skills development in performance or production work

C.To calculate UCAS tariff points for the extract

D.To satisfy a separate written paper with no practical outcome

Explanation: Research into social, cultural and historical context supports informed artistic decisions—style, characterisation, design concept, musical interpretation—and is recorded in the portfolio alongside action plans and practice evidence. The unit remains applied and practical; research is not a substitute for rehearsal.

About the CCEA GCE Performing Arts Exam

CCEA GCE Performing Arts (first teaching September 2016; subject code LC11) is Northern Ireland’s applied Level 3 qualification in performance and production. Students develop one discipline through AS and A2, plan and realise performing arts events from pre-release stimulus, prepare for employment with industry-style portfolios and auditions or presentations, and form a production company to deliver a Commission Brief with an administrative role. Assessment combines internally assessed portfolios (AS 1, A2 1) with externally assessed live practicals and controlled writing (AS 2, A2 2). This OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language four-option MCQ study aid for concepts, roles, safety, evaluation and industry knowledge. Multiple-choice practice cannot replace rehearsal, live performance, portfolio evidence or commission company work required by CCEA.

Assessment

Four units: AS 1 Developing Skills and Repertoire (60% of AS / 24% of A Level)—portfolio with research, skills audit, record of work, risk assessment, three-stage recorded performance or production presentation (10–20 minutes total) and evaluation; AS 2 Planning and Realising a Performing Arts Event (40% of AS / 16% of A Level)—pre-release stimulus, controlled supporting document (max 2 hours; section word limits 600/1200/600), group performance 10–40 minutes; A2 1 Planning for Employment (60% of A2 / 36% of A Level)—written report, promotional portfolio, 10–15 minute audition or presentation with interview, evaluation (60 marks); A2 2 Performing to a Commission Brief (40% of A2 / 24% of A Level)—production company, admin role, research report, task evidence, 45-minute/600-word controlled evaluation, live performance 15–40 minutes (80 marks). Full A Level: AS 40% + A2 60%. AO weightings overall: AO1 16%, AO2 29.6%, AO3 40.8%, AO4 13.6%.

Time Limit

Not a single terminal MCQ paper. Key controlled times: AS 2 supporting document max 2 hours; A2 2 evaluation max 45 minutes. Practical events: AS 2 group 10–40 minutes (performer minimum 5 minutes each; production presentation 5–10 minutes); A2 1 interview package 10–15 minutes; A2 2 group at least 15 minutes (small groups) up to 40 minutes (larger groups). Confirm current CCEA pre-release and centre schedules.

Passing Score

No single pass mark. AS graded A–E; full A Level A*–E (A* requires grade A overall plus at least 90% of maximum uniform marks across A2 units). Boundaries set per unit each series.

Exam Fee

No fee is paid directly by students to CCEA. Schools and registered centres pay CCEA entry fees for units; private candidates are charged by the centre that enters them. See current CCEA fees and charges documents for the series. (CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment), Northern Ireland)

CCEA GCE Performing Arts Exam Content Outline

25%

Skills, Repertoire and Performance Concepts

Two contrasting extracts, skills audit, vocal/physical/musical skills, context research, three-stage recording and meaning for audience (AS 1 focus).

20%

Planning and Realising Events

Pre-release stimulus, constraints, influences from live/recorded events, production meetings, supporting document and group realisation (AS 2 focus).

20%

Production Roles and Technical Practice

Direction, design, choreography, musical direction, stage management, lighting/sound documentation and technical problem-solving.

15%

Commission Brief and Administration

A2 2 company structure, brief interpretation, admin roles, venue finance/marketing research and controlled evaluation.

10%

Employment and Industry

Training routes, agents/unions, three-job plan, promotional portfolio and audition or presentation with interview (A2 1).

10%

Health, Safety, Evaluation and Assessment

Risk assessment, electrical/performer safety, AO1–AO4, unit weightings, QWC and aesthetic/technical evaluation.

How to Pass the CCEA GCE Performing Arts Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No single pass mark. AS graded A–E; full A Level A*–E (A* requires grade A overall plus at least 90% of maximum uniform marks across A2 units). Boundaries set per unit each series.
Assessment: Four units: AS 1 Developing Skills and Repertoire (60% of AS / 24% of A Level)—portfolio with research, skills audit, record of work, risk assessment, three-stage recorded performance or production presentation (10–20 minutes total) and evaluation; AS 2 Planning and Realising a Performing Arts Event (40% of AS / 16% of A Level)—pre-release stimulus, controlled supporting document (max 2 hours; section word limits 600/1200/600), group performance 10–40 minutes; A2 1 Planning for Employment (60% of A2 / 36% of A Level)—written report, promotional portfolio, 10–15 minute audition or presentation with interview, evaluation (60 marks); A2 2 Performing to a Commission Brief (40% of A2 / 24% of A Level)—production company, admin role, research report, task evidence, 45-minute/600-word controlled evaluation, live performance 15–40 minutes (80 marks). Full A Level: AS 40% + A2 60%. AO weightings overall: AO1 16%, AO2 29.6%, AO3 40.8%, AO4 13.6%.
Time limit: Not a single terminal MCQ paper. Key controlled times: AS 2 supporting document max 2 hours; A2 2 evaluation max 45 minutes. Practical events: AS 2 group 10–40 minutes (performer minimum 5 minutes each; production presentation 5–10 minutes); A2 1 interview package 10–15 minutes; A2 2 group at least 15 minutes (small groups) up to 40 minutes (larger groups). Confirm current CCEA pre-release and centre schedules.
Exam fee: No fee is paid directly by students to CCEA. Schools and registered centres pay CCEA entry fees for units; private candidates are charged by the centre that enters them. See current CCEA fees and charges documents for the series.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCEA GCE Performing Arts Study Tips from Top Performers

1Keep one discipline continuous from AS to A2 and build weekly practice evidence with clear targets.

2For AS 2 and A2 2, treat pre-release/commission material as the driver of concept, audience and constraints—not an afterthought.

3Learn the difference between production disciplines and A2 2 administrative roles; both are assessed in the company unit.

4Write controlled documents within word and time limits; practise concise research, rationale and evaluation using specialist vocabulary (QWC).

5Rehearse health and safety as process: risk assessment, clear exits, electrical care, warm-ups and role-specific PPE—not only as a form to file.

6Use this MCQ bank for theory checks, then return to studio/rehearsal for skills that only live practice can develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CCEA GCE Performing Arts use multiple-choice exams?

No. Official assessment uses portfolios, controlled written documents, live performance or production presentations, employment auditions or presentations, and Commission Brief company work. These 100 MCQs are an English-language study adaptation for concepts and judgment only.

What are the four units?

AS 1 Developing Skills and Repertoire; AS 2 Planning and Realising a Performing Arts Event; A2 1 Planning for Employment; A2 2 Performing to a Commission Brief. AS is 40% and A2 is 60% of the full A Level.

What disciplines can students choose?

One discipline through AS and A2: Performance—dance, drama or music; or Production—choreography, costume or set design, direction, musical direction, stage management, or technical lighting or sound. In A2 2 each student also takes one unique administrative role.

What is the Commission Brief unit?

Unit A2 2 requires students to form a production company, select an event from externally set Commission Brief options, research professional venue finance and marketing, produce admin materials, write a controlled evaluation, and deliver a live performance or production presentation for an external examiner.

Can MCQ practice replace rehearsal and live performance?

No. CCEA awards marks primarily through practical application (AO3 is about 40.8% of the full A Level). Live skills, portfolios and company work must be practised in workshops and rehearsals; MCQs cannot certify those competencies.

What does the qualification cost?

Students usually pay no fee directly to CCEA. Centres pay CCEA unit entry fees; private candidates pay fees set by the entering centre. Check the current CCEA fees and charges documents for the series.

How is the qualification graded?

AS is graded A–E. The full A Level is graded A*–E. An A* requires an A in the full A Level plus at least 90% of the maximum uniform marks available across the A2 units. Unit grade boundaries are set each series.

100+ Free CCEA GCE Performing Arts Practice Questions

CCEA GCE Performing Arts (Northern Ireland)