Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit

State Examinations Commission

Leaving Certificate 2024

Marking Scheme

Art

Higher Level
Note to teachers and students on the use of published marking schemes
Marking schemes published by the State Examinations Commission are not intended to be
standalone documents. They are an essential resource for examiners who receive training
in the correct interpretation and application of the scheme. This training involves, among
other things, marking samples of student work and discussing the marks awarded, so as to
clarify the correct application of the scheme. The work of examiners is subsequently
monitored by Advising Examiners to ensure consistent and accurate application of the
marking scheme. This process is overseen by the Chief Examiner, usually assisted by a Chief
Advising Examiner. The Chief Examiner is the final authority regarding whether or not the
marking scheme has been correctly applied to any piece of candidate work.

Marking schemes are working documents. While a draft marking scheme is prepared in
advance of the examination, the scheme is not finalised until examiners have applied it to
candidates’ work and the feedback from all examiners has been collated and considered in
light of the full range of responses of candidates, the overall level of difficulty of the
examination and the need to maintain consistency in standards from year to year. This
published document contains the finalised scheme, as it was applied to all candidates’ work.

In the case of marking schemes that include model solutions or answers, it should be noted
that these are not intended to be exhaustive. Variations and alternatives may also be
acceptable. Examiners must consider all answers on their merits, and will have consulted
with their Advising Examiners when in doubt.

Future Marking Schemes

Assumptions about future marking schemes on the basis of past schemes should be
avoided. While the underlying assessment principles remain the same, the details of the
marking of a particular type of question may change in the context of the contribution of
that question to the overall examination in a given year. The Chief Examiner in any given
year has the responsibility to determine how best to ensure the fair and accurate
assessment of candidates’ work and to ensure consistency in the standard of the
assessment from year to year. Accordingly, aspects of the structure, detail and application
of the marking scheme for a particular examination are subject to change from one year to
the next without notice.
 Leaving Certificate Art Marking Scheme 2024
There are three components in Art and the mark allocations are as follows:

Assessment Component Marks Level

Practical Coursework 250 marks 50%

Invigilated Practical 100 marks 20%

Examination
Written Examination – 150 marks 30%
Visual Studies
Total 500 marks 100%

Practical Coursework and Invigilated Practical

Examination
Higher Level and Ordinary Level

The Leaving Certificate Art Brief for Practical Coursework and Invigilated Practical Examination is set
as a common examination paper. This means that Higher-level and Ordinary-level candidates
received the same stimulus material and were required to carry out the same tasks in developing
and executing their artwork. However, a higher standard is expected of Higher-level candidates than
of Ordinary-level candidates.

In order to ensure the correct alignment between the standard required to achieve grades at the
two levels (H5=O1; H6=O2; H7=O3) the work is all marked initially on a reference scale. These
reference marks are then converted to Higher or Ordinary level marks as appropriate.

For ease of implementation, the reference scale is designed to coincide with the Higher-level scale.
Accordingly, after the candidate’s Practical Coursework and Invigilated Practical Examination
component have been awarded marks on the reference scale, Higher-level candidates have those
reference marks recorded as their final mark for Practical Coursework and the Invigilated Practical
Examination component, while Ordinary-level candidates have an adjustment made to convert the
reference mark to their final mark for Practical Coursework and the Invigilated Practical Examination
Component. The table below illustrates the alignment between the grades.

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 Practical Coursework Component Adjustment

Reference
Ordinary

Ordinary
Higher

Higher
grade

grade

mark

mark

mark
1 225 – 250 225 – 250 250

2 200 – 224 200 – 224 250

3 175 – 199 175 – 199 250

4 150 – 174 150 – 174 250

5 1 125 – 149 125 – 149 225 – 249

6 2 100 – 124 100 – 124 200 – 224

7 3 75 – 99 75 – 99 175 – 199

4 63 – 74 63 – 74 150 – 174

5 50 – 62 50 – 62 125 – 149

8 6 38 – 49 38 – 49 100 – 124

7 25 – 37 25 – 37 75 – 99

8 0 – 24 0 – 24 0 – 74

PRACTICAL COURSEWORK COMPONENT – conversion from reference mark to

Ordinary-level mark
For Ordinary-level candidates, the final mark is found from the reference mark as follows:
 If the reference mark is 150 or more the final mark is 250.
 If the reference mark is at least 75 but less than 150 then add 100 to the reference mark
to get the final mark.
 If the reference is at least 1 but less than 75 then double the reference mark and add 25
to get the final mark.
 If the reference mark is 0 the final mark is 0.
Reference Mark Conversion
150 or more Award 250 marks
75 – 149 Add 100 marks
Multiply the reference mark by 2 and add
1 – 74
25 marks
0 0
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 Practical Examination Component Adjustment

Reference
Ordinary

Ordinary
Higher

Higher
grade

grade

mark

mark

mark
1 90 – 100 90 – 100 100

2 80 – 89 80 – 89 100

3 70 – 79 70 – 79 100

4 60 – 69 60 – 69 100

5 1 50 – 59 50 – 59 90 – 99

6 2 40 – 49 40 – 49 80 – 89

7 3 30 – 39 30 – 39 70 – 79

4 25 – 29 25 – 29 60 – 69

5 20 – 24 20 – 24 50 – 59

8 6 15 – 19 15 – 19 40 – 49

7 10 – 14 10 – 14 30 – 39

8 0–9 0–9 0 – 29

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION COMPONENT – conversion from reference mark to

Ordinary-level mark
For Ordinary-level candidates, the final mark is found from the reference mark as follows:
 If the reference mark is 60 or more the final mark is 100.
 If the reference mark is at least 30 but less than 60 then add 40 to the reference mark to
get the final mark.
 If the reference is at least 1 but less than 30 then double the reference mark and add 10
to get the final mark.
 If the reference mark is 0 the final mark is 0.
Reference Mark Conversion
60 or more Award 100 marks
30 – 59 Add 40 marks
Multiply the reference mark by 2 and add
1 – 29
10 marks
0 0

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There are two practical components in Leaving Certificate Art. The practical components
comprise Practical Coursework and the Invigilated Practical Examination and are based on
a brief and viewed as a whole project.
For the practical components of Leaving Certificate Art in 2024, each candidate must submit
the following:

 A State Examinations Commission Visual Journal containing the development

work leading to two artefacts including the following pages:
 Exploration of Chosen Theme
 Artefact A: Development Sheet 1
 Artefact A: Development Sheet 2
 Artefact B: Development Sheet 1
 Artefact B: Development Sheet 2
 Realised Artefact A which could be 2D, 3D or displayed as an MP4
 Realised Artefact B which could be 2D, 3D or displayed as an MP4.

Total Marks Available

Marking Criteria Artefact A Artefact B

Investigation of theme 10 10

Primary Sources 25 25

Development 40 40

Realised Artefact 90 90

Demonstration of distinctly different areas of 10 10

practice
Total marks for Coursework Component 250

Total Marks for Practical Examination 100

Component
Total marks for Practical Coursework and 350
Practical Invigilated Examination
Components

The use of the word Art throughout this marking scheme is taken to include the areas of fine
art, design and craft in a range of traditional, contemporary, new and/or digital media.
The work should be first viewed in its entirety to establish the process of its development and
realisation from the Exploration of Chosen Theme page to Development Sheets 1 and 2 for both
artefacts and then the artefacts themselves. Then review the work again in detail before starting to
mark. Follow the development of Artefact A from the Exploration of Chosen Theme page through to
both development sheets for Artefact A and then review Artefact A itself. Then follow the same

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 process for Artefact B. Please ensure that you examine every part of the work in detail including all
drawings, studies, plans, experiments, written text, etc.
You should be aware that marks are awarded for the use of primary sources. Primary sources are
sources, physical or conceptual, that are viewed in their original state and are not filtered through
another person’s interpretation of them. You also should be aware of the difference between
working from a primary source and working from a 2D image of a primary source such as a
photograph, even if the candidate has taken the photograph themselves. Both are valid but you
must look for the quality of learning being demonstrated.
You must examine the work carefully so that you can identify the features outlined in the Marking
Scheme in the work that you view. No part of the marking criteria exists in isolation and each part
of the marking criteria relates to other parts of the marking criteria in any piece of work. Drawing is
core to the specification and should be demonstrated throughout the project.
The marks are divided into two parts which align with the two components. The first part which
corresponds with Practical Coursework is applied to the Visual Journal, the development and
realisation of Artefact A and to the development of Artefact B. The marks associated with this are in
the green columns in the tables below. The second part which corresponds with the Invigilated
Practical Examination is applied to the realised Artefact B. The marks associated with this are in the
blue column in the tables below. These marks then are adjusted according to a differential for
Higher level and Ordinary level as outlined above.
A guide is given below to aid marking. The levels of high, moderate, and low are attributed to mark
bands. Read the criteria relating to each part of the Marking Scheme and note the mark bands. You
must then choose which mark band best fits the specific criterion you are marking and then choose
a specific mark within that band which best reflects the work presented. This mark is then awarded
for that part of the Marking Scheme.

Quality of Common Level Mark Band Guide

response
The work submitted shows an advanced use and understanding of the listed marking criteria.
High Evidence of engagement with the listed marking criteria is demonstrated at an advanced level
in the work being examined.

The work submitted shows an effective use and understanding of the listed marking criteria.
Moderate Evidence of engagement with the listed marking criteria is demonstrated at an effective level
in the work being examined.

The work submitted shows a limited use and understanding of the listed marking criteria.
Low Evidence of engagement with the listed marking criteria is demonstrated at a limited level in
the work being examined.

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 Artefact A Artefact B
Visual Journal
A
The work should show evidence of: 10 10
 a sustained, meaningful, creative and varied investigation of the theme.
Low Moderate High
0-4 5-7 8-10

B
The work should show evidence of: 5 5
 choice of appropriate primary source(s). Relevance to chosen interpretation
of the theme.
 appropriate range of primary sources chosen.
Low Moderate High
0-1 2-3 4-5

C
The work should show evidence of: 20 20
 analysis of the primary source(s); drawing using a range of visual means,
media and techniques.
Low Moderate High
0-8 9-15 16-20

D
The work should show evidence of: 30 30
 development of concepts in imaginative and creative ways.
 production of an annotated visual record of an enquiry; drawing,
experiment with ideas, media and techniques, use of problem-solving skills
to develop ideas showing progression leading to a realised artefact.
 development of a personal visual language to express ideas and to link the
stimulus to intentions and to the realised artefact, in a confident and
assured manner.
Low Moderate High
0-12 13-23 24-30

E
The work should show evidence of: 10 10
 research, selection, organisation, and processing of relevant information
from learning in Visual Studies.
 an understanding of the conventions of the area of practice through which
the work was produced.
 the extent to which the research from Visual Studies has influenced the
candidate.
Low Moderate High
0-4 5-7 8-10

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 Artefact A Artefact B
Realised Artefact
F
The work should show evidence of:
 presentation of a personal and meaningful artefact that realises intentions 30 30
and demonstrates understanding of visual language and aesthetics.
 the artefact effectively communicates the ideas developed in the Visual
Journal.

Low Moderate High

0-12 13-23 24-30

G
The work should show evidence of:
 individual response showing knowledge and understanding of art elements 20 20
and design principles.

Low Moderate High

0-8 9-15 16-20

H
The work should show evidence of:
 individual response showing knowledge and understanding of chosen media, 30 30
materials and techniques.

Low Moderate High

0-12 13-23 24-30

I
The work should show evidence of:
 overall impact of finished artefact. 10 10

Low Moderate High

0-4 5-7 8-10

J
The work should show evidence of:
 realisation of two artefacts through two distinctly different areas of practice 10 10
using different materials and techniques for each.

Low Moderate High

0-4 5-7 8-10

Total marks for Practical Coursework Component 250

Total Marks for Invigilated Examination Component 100
Total marks for Practical Coursework and Practical Invigilated 350
Examination Components

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After you have awarded the candidate a final mark you must check this mark against the Grade
Descriptor in order to ensure that the final mark you have awarded is correct.

GRADE DESCRIPTOR - PRACTICAL COMPONENTS 2024

Grade
Higher Level

H1 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 an excellent degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 excellent levels of drawing that show excellent levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows an excellent ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 excellent use of art elements and design principles.
 excellent understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with an excellent level of assurance and ease, and an
excellent level of proficiency in techniques.

H2 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 a very good degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 very good levels of drawing that show very good levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows very good ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 very good use of art elements and design principles.
 very good understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a very good level of assurance and ease, and a very
good level of proficiency in techniques.

H3 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 a good degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 good levels of drawing that show good levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows good ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 good use of art elements and design principles.
 good understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a good level of assurance and ease, and a good
level of proficiency in techniques.

H4 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a fair degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 fair levels of drawing that show fair levels of skill, fluency and confidence to convey
information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows fair ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 fair use of art elements and design principles.
 fair understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a fair level of assurance and ease, and a fair level of
proficiency in techniques.

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H5 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:
 a basic degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 basic levels of drawing that show basic levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows a basic ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 basic use of art elements and design principles.
 basic understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a basic level of assurance and ease, and a basic
level of proficiency in techniques.

H6 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a limited degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 limited levels of drawing that show limited levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows limited ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 limited use of art elements and design principles.
 limited understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a limited level of assurance and ease, and a limited
level of proficiency in techniques.

H7 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a very limited degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 very limited levels of drawing that show very limited levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows very limited ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 very limited use of art elements and design principles.
 very limited understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a very limited level of assurance and ease, and a
very limited level of proficiency in techniques.

H8 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 little or no degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 little or no levels of drawing that show little or no levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows little or no ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 little or no use of art elements and design principles.
 little or no understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with little or no assurance and ease, and little or no
proficiency in techniques.

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 GRADE DESCRIPTOR - PRACTICAL COMPONENTS 2024
Grade
Ordinary Level

O1 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 an excellent degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 excellent levels of drawing that show excellent levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows an excellent ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 excellent use of art elements and design principles.
 excellent understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with an excellent level of assurance and ease, and an
excellent level of proficiency in techniques.

O2 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 a very good degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 very good levels of drawing that show very good levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows very good ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 very good use of art elements and design principles.
 very good understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a very good level of assurance and ease, and a very
good level of proficiency in techniques.

O3 The candidate/work displays a high proportion of the following attributes:

 a good degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 good levels of drawing that show good levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows good ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 good use of art elements and design principles.
 good understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a good level of assurance and ease, and a good
level of proficiency in techniques.

O4 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a fair degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 fair levels of drawing that show fair levels of skill, fluency and confidence to convey
information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows fair ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 fair use of art elements and design principles.
 fair understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a fair level of assurance and ease, and a fair level of
proficiency in techniques.

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O5 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:
 a basic degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 basic levels of drawing that show basic levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows a basic ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 basic use of art elements and design principles.
 basic understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a basic level of assurance and ease, and a basic
level of proficiency in techniques.

O6 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a limited degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 limited levels of drawing that show limited levels of skill, fluency and confidence to
convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows limited ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information from
primary source/s to develop work.
 limited use of art elements and design principles.
 limited understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a limited level of assurance and ease, and a limited
level of proficiency in techniques.

O7 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 a very limited degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and
relevance.
 very limited levels of drawing that show very limited levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows very limited ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 very limited use of art elements and design principles.
 very limited understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with a very limited level of assurance and ease, and a very
limited level of proficiency in techniques.

O8 The candidate/work displays a predominance of the following attributes:

 little or no degree of perseverance, creativity and imagination, focus and relevance.
 little or no levels of drawing that show little or no levels of skill, fluency and
confidence to convey information and support the candidate’s ideas and work.
 shows little or no ability in selecting recording and evaluating visual information
from primary source/s to develop work.
 little or no use of art elements and design principles.
 little or no understanding of the properties, possibilities and constraints of media
appropriate to intentions, with little or no assurance and ease, and little or no
proficiency in techniques.

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Visual Studies Examination
Introduction

Annotations used in the marking

The scripts were marked by examiners using an online marking platform. The following table
illustrates the various annotations (symbols) applied by the examiners when marking the
scripts. The meaning and use of each of the annotations applied are also explained in the
table. These annotations will be seen on a script if viewed as part of the appeal process.
Annotations applied by an examiner will be viewed in red. Scripts that were also marked by
an advising examiner will show annotations in a green colour.

Symbol Description Denoting

Tick (blank) Written and/or drawn response seen by the examiner.

Vertical wavy Blank page/section seen by the examiner.

Note: Some annotations may not be relevant to particular scripts.

The Irish Bonus

Bonus marks at the rate of 10% of the marks obtained will be given to a candidate who
answers entirely through Irish and who obtains less than 75% of the total marks. In
calculating the bonus to be applied decimals are always rounded down, not up e.g., 4.5
becomes 4; 4.9 becomes 4, etc. The bonus table given on the next page applies to
candidates who answer entirely through Irish and who obtain more than 75% of the total
marks.

13
 150@10%

Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit

Marcanna Breise as ucht freagairt trí Ghaeilge

Léiríonn an tábla thíos an méid marcanna breise ba chóir a bhronnadh ar iarrthóirí a

ghnóthaíonn níos mó ná 75% d’iomlán na marcanna.

N.B. Ba chóir marcanna de réir an ghnáthráta a bhronnadh ar iarrthóirí nach ngnóthaíonn

níos mó ná 75% d’iomlán na marcanna don scrúdú. Ba chóir freisin an marc bónais sin a
shlánú síos.

Tábla 150 @ 10%

Bain úsáid as an tábla seo i gcás na n-ábhar a bhfuil 150 marc san iomlán ag gabháil leo agus
inarb é 10% gnáthráta an bhónais.

Bain úsáid as an ngnáthráta i gcás 112 marc agus faoina bhun sin. Os cionn an mharc sin,
féach an tábla thíos.

Bunmharc Marc Bónais Bunmharc Marc Bónais

113 11 131 - 133 5

114 - 116 10 134 - 136 4
117 - 120 9 137 - 140 3
121 - 123 8 141 - 143 2
124 - 126 7 144 - 146 1
127 - 130 6 147 - 150 0

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The procedure for marking consists of:
• Careful reading and analysis of all the responses
• Allocation of marks to the components according to the agreed scheme.

Read the entire answerbook to familiarise yourself with the content presented for marking. Identify
what questions have been answered and if sketches have been submitted.

The detail required in any answer is determined by the context and the manner in which the
question is asked and by the number of marks assigned to the answer in the examination paper.
Requirements may therefore vary from year to year.

Words, expressions or phrases must be correctly used in context and not contradicted, and where
there is evidence of incorrect use or contradictions the marks may not be awarded.

Where sketches are included to answer any question, they should be reviewed as part of the
material on which the mark is based using the mark allocation for the part of the question that the
sketch is answering or supporting.

If you are not familiar with the artwork or artist in a response it is your responsibility to make
yourself familiar with the artwork or artist before you mark the question. All valid points will be
taken into consideration.

As a general rule, if in doubt about the validity of any answers, examiners must consult their
advising examiner before awarding marks.

Note: Be careful not to penalise skilful brevity, nor to reward unwarranted length.

Candidates are being marked on the quality of their answers demonstrating the features in the
tables below. This marking scheme uses descriptor marking to allocate marks. The mark to be
allocated is dependent on the mark available for that particular part of the question. Each time you
prepare to award marks associated with a specific part of the marking scheme you must read the
relevant answer with the criteria for that specific part of the marking scheme in mind. In this way,
you will read each answer a number of times to ensure that you have properly analysed and
awarded the correct marks.

Section A Today’s world 50 marks

Candidates must answer any five questions in this section from Question 1 to Question 7.
Each question is worth 10 marks.

A guide is given below to aid marking. The levels of low, moderate and high are attributed
to mark bands. In 2024, all of the questions in this section are either 4-mark questions, 5-
mark questions or 6-mark questions. A descriptor is used for 4-mark questions, 5-mark
questions and 6-mark questions in this section. These descriptors should be interpreted in
the context of the challenges and demands of the question the candidate has chosen.

15
 Today’s world – Descriptor for short questions
Skills of critical literacy and contextual inquiry to decode, decipher and make
meaning from a range of stimuli/questions.
The response shows evidence of the following where appropriate: 4 5 6
• Limited understanding of the requirements of the question. Marks Marks Marks
• Limited application of accurate and informed practice, knowledge Low Low Low
and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations. 0-1 0-1 0-2
• A limited level of problem-solving skills in relation to Visual
Studies and the practical application of art.
• Limited analysis, interpretation and evaluation of any given
stimulus material.
• Limited presentation of accurate and/or relevant arguments,
explanations and ideas which are based on little or no evidence.
• Presentation of an answer with limited and/or no coherence and
focus.
• Use of visual art terminology and/or sketches with limited
accuracy and relevance.
The response shows evidence of the following where appropriate: Mod- Mod- Mod-
• Good understanding of the requirements of the question. erate erate erate
• Good application of accurate and informed practice, knowledge 2-3 2-3 3-4
and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations.
• A good level of problem-solving skills in relation to Visual Studies
and the practical application of art.
• Good analysis, interpretation and evaluation of any given stimulus
material.
• Good presentation of accurate and relevant arguments,
explanations and ideas which are in the main based on evidence.
• Presentation of a good coherent and focused answer.
• Good, accurate and relevant use of visual art terminology and/ or
sketches.
The response shows evidence of the following where appropriate: High High High
• Thorough understanding of the requirements of the question. 4 4-5 5-6
• Thorough application of accurate and well-informed practice,
knowledge and understanding to new and unfamiliar situations.
• A thorough level of problem-solving skills in relation to Visual
Studies and the practical application of art.
• Consistent and well-informed analysis, interpretation and
evaluation of any given stimulus material.
• Thorough presentation of accurate and relevant arguments,
explanations and ideas based on evidence.
• Thorough presentation of a coherent and focused answer.
• Thorough, accurate and relevant use of visual art terminology
and/ or sketches.

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Question 1
Answer
(a) Description of the painting using the given headings: composition, perspective, colour.

Low Moderate High 6 Marks

0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Reasonable interpretation of, or suggestion as to, what the painting is about. Reasons for
the answer given.
Low Moderate High 4 Marks
0-1 2-3 4

Question 2
Answer
(a) How the artist created a sense of depth in the print illustrated.

Low Moderate High 6 Marks

0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Discussion of the advantages of creating an edition. Justification for the answer given.

Low Moderate High 4 Marks

0-1 2-3 4

Question 3
Answer
(a) An account of a contemporary living sculptor’s work using the given headings: themes,
media, scale.
Low Moderate High 6 Marks
0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Opinion on if the artist’s career is successful. Justification for the answer given.
Low Moderate High 4 Marks
0-1 2-3 4

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Question 4
Answer
(a) Description of the artwork using the given headings: use of materials, colour, line.

Low Moderate High 6 Marks

0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Opinion on the type of imagery that inspired the artwork. Reasons for the answer given
using evidence from the illustration shown.

Low Moderate High 4 Marks

0-1 2-3 4

Question 5
Answer
(a) Discussion of why the role of the curator in a public gallery is important.

Low Moderate High 5 Marks

0-1 2-3 4-5

Answer
(b) Discussion of what makes a visual art exhibition popular with the general public.
Explanation for the answer given.
Low Moderate High 5 Marks
0-1 2-3 4-5

Question 6
Answer
(a) Description of the artwork using the given headings: composition, motif, colour.

Low Moderate High 6 Marks

0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Discussion whether the artwork suits its location. Justification for the answer given.
Low Moderate High 4 Marks
0-1 2-3 4

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Question 7
Answer
(a) Description of the poster design using the given headings: layout, light, contrast.

Low Moderate High 6 Marks

0-2 3-4 5-6

Answer
(b) Discussion of what the imagery is communicating about the product. Justification for the
answer given.

Low Moderate High 4 Marks

0-1 2-3 4

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 Section B Europe and the wider world 50 marks
Candidates must answer one question from this section. There are 50 marks per question.
All responses must be carefully observed and interrogated including any responses in the
Optional Planning Space, Optional Answer Space for sketches, diagrams, etc. and in the
Additional Answer Spaces.

Candidates may choose from a wide range of relevant examples and content to answer a
question. Relevant content must be credited.

If candidates answer more than one question etc. per section then the question with the
highest score is used to award marks.

Answers to this section will be marked using the criteria below.

Quality of Response
Before commencing marking read the entire answer to the chosen question to familiarise
yourself with the content presented for marking. Check to see if sketches or diagrams are
included. Note: Be careful not to penalise skilful brevity, nor to reward unwarranted length.
These descriptors should be interpreted in the context of the challenges and demands of the
question the candidate has chosen.

Section C Ireland and its place in the wider world 50 marks

Candidates must answer one question from this section. There are 50 marks per question.
All responses must be carefully observed and interrogated including any responses in the
Optional Planning Space, Optional Answer Space for sketches, diagrams, etc. and in the
Additional Answer Spaces.

Candidates may choose from a wide range of relevant examples and content to answer a
question. Relevant content must be credited.

If candidates answer more than one question etc. per section then the question with the
highest score is used to award marks.

Answers to this section will be marked using the criteria below.

Quality of Response
Before commencing marking read the entire answer to the chosen question to familiarise
yourself with- the content presented for marking. Check to see if sketches or diagrams are
included. Note: Be careful not to penalise skilful brevity, nor to reward unwarranted length.
These descriptors should be interpreted in the context of the challenges and demands of the
question the candidate has chosen.
20
 Band Descriptor for Section B and Section C
Coherence and Focus. 10 Marks.
Low 0-3
The response shows evidence of:
 A limited ability to understand the demands of the question and
to create an answer based on the question posed.
 A limited ability to form and present reasonable, sequential and
logical arguments and ideas. Work is based on very limited or no
evidence.
 A limited ability to articulate a personal understanding in the
response.

Moderate 4-6
The response shows evidence of:
 A good ability to understand the demands of the question and to
create an appropriate answer based on the question posed.
 A good ability to form and present reasonable, sequential and
logical arguments and ideas which are for the most part based on
evidence.
 A good ability to articulate a personal understanding in the
response.

High 7-10
The response shows evidence of:
• A thorough ability to understand the demands of the question
and to create a high-level answer based on the question posed.
• A thorough ability to form and present reasonable, sequential and
logical arguments and ideas which are clearly based on evidence.
• A thorough ability to articulate a personal understanding in the
response.

21
 Band Descriptor for Section B and Section C
Subject Knowledge. 20 Marks.
Low 0-7
The response shows evidence of:
• A limited level of recall, knowledge and understanding of the
section of focus.
• A limited level of critical thinking to analyse and evaluate their
knowledge of the section of focus.
• A limited critical or perceptive use of their knowledge of the
section of focus to appropriately support their approach to the
question.

Moderate 8-13
The response shows evidence of:
• A good level of recall, knowledge and understanding of the
section of focus.
• A good level of critical thinking to analyse and evaluate their
knowledge of the section of focus.
• A good critical and perceptive use of their knowledge of the
section of focus to appropriately support their approach to the
question.

High 14-20
The response shows evidence of:
• A thorough level of recall, knowledge and understanding of the
section of focus.
• A thorough level of critical thinking to analyse and evaluate their
knowledge of the section of focus.
• A thorough critical and perceptive use of their knowledge of the
section of focus to appropriately support their approach to the
question.

22
 Band Descriptor for Section B and Section C
Relevant Examples. 10 Marks.
Low 0-3
The response shows evidence of:
• A limited choice of artists, and examples of artworks/artefacts
with limited relevance/not recognised and support a very limited
response.
• A limited understanding of the selected artists used and a limited
understanding of the examples of artworks/artefacts used to
justify the response.

Moderate 4-6
The response shows evidence of:
• A good choice of artists, and examples of artworks/artefacts that
are mostly relevant/recognised and support a mostly accurate
response.
• A good understanding of the selected artists used and a good
understanding of the examples of artworks/artefacts used to
justify the response.

High 7-10
The response shows evidence of:
• A thorough choice of artists, and examples of artworks/artefacts
that are most relevant/recognised and support a highly accurate
response.
• A thorough understanding of the selected artists used and a
thorough understanding of the examples of artworks/artefacts
used to justify the response.

23
 Band Descriptor for Section B and Section C
Visual Language (terminology and/or sketches). 10 Marks.
Low 0-3
The response shows evidence of:
• A limited use and understanding of terminology to communicate
ideas.
• If sketches are used: the sketches demonstrate a limited ability to
support the answer and communicate ideas.

Moderate 4-6
The response shows evidence of:
• A good use and understanding of terminology which is accurate
and relevant and adds to the communication of ideas.
• If sketches are used: the sketches demonstrate a good ability to
support the answer and communicate ideas. The sketches are
mostly accurate and relevant.

High 7-10
The response shows evidence of:
• A thorough use and understanding of terminology which is
accurate, relevant and supports the communication of ideas.
• If sketches are used: the sketches demonstrate a thorough ability
to support the answer and communicate ideas. The sketches are
thorough, accurate and relevant.

24