Pearson Edexcel A-Level Music Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Download free Pearson Edexcel A-Level Music past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. 169 resources.
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June 2018
1 fileA-Level Music – Question paper – June 2018 – GCE A2 Music Unit 5 Section A Composition
June 2017
2 filesJune 2016
1 fileA-Level Music – Question paper – June 2016 – Unit 2: Composing
June 2015
8 filesA-Level Music – Mark scheme – Unit 3 (6MU03) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 2 (6MU02) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 1 (6MU01) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 5 (6MU05) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 4 (6MU04) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Mark scheme – Unit 6 (6MU06) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 6 (6MU06) – June 2015
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 3 (6MU03) – June 2015
Summer 2014
2 filesJune 2014
9 filesA-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 1 (6MU01) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 2 (6MU02) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 4 (6MU04) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Question paper – Unit 6 (6MU06) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 5 (6MU05) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 6 (6MU06) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Mark scheme – Unit 3 (6MU03) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Examiner report – Unit 3 (6MU03) – June 2014
A-Level Music – Question paper – Unit 3 (6MU03) – June 2014
Performance, Composition, and Musical Analysis: Three Pillars of A-Level Music
Exam Paper Structure
Performing
Composing
Appraising
Key Information
| Exam Board | Pearson Edexcel |
| Specification Code | 9MU0 |
| Qualification | A-Level |
| Grading Scale | A*–E |
| Assessment Type | Written exam + coursework |
| Component 1 | Performing — 30% |
| Component 2 | Composing — 30% |
| Component 3 | 2 hr — Appraising (40%) |
| Set Works | Prescribed anthology of works across multiple periods and genres |
| Available Sessions | June 2017 – June 2024 (plus legacy papers) |
| Total Resources | 169 |
Key Topics in Music
Topics you need to know
Exam Command Words
| Command word | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| Identify | Name or recognise a musical feature (key, cadence, interval, instrument, texture) from a recording or score |
| Describe | Give a detailed account of musical events using precise terminology (dynamics, articulation, texture, tonality) |
| Compare | Identify similarities and differences between two musical extracts or set works, covering melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and structure |
| Analyse | Examine a musical score or recording in detail, identifying harmonic progressions, structural features, and compositional techniques |
| Evaluate | Judge the effectiveness of compositional or performance choices, using musical evidence to support your assessment |
| Dictate | Notate a musical passage from a recording — pitch, rhythm, and (where specified) harmony |
Typical Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Approximate mark needed |
|---|---|
| A* | 72–84% |
| A | 62–71% |
| B | 52–61% |
| C | 42–51% |
| D | 32–41% |
| E | 22–31% |
⚠️ Typical boundaries. Actual boundaries vary by series — check Pearson's website.
Aural Training, Score Study, and Writing About Music With Precision
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