WJEC Written Exam | Stark Drama

The Golden Rule: Justify the 'Why'

WJEC examiners frequently report that students are excellent at describing what they would do on stage, but terrible at explaining why. Every time you state a creative choice (e.g., "I would shine a blue spotlight on him"), you must follow it up with an impact statement (e.g., "...to highlight his cold isolation from the rest of the family to the audience").

Section A: Set Text (45 Marks)

A series of questions based on a printed extract from your chosen set text (e.g., DNA, Macbeth, The IT). You will answer as an actor, director, or designer. Spend exactly 65 minutes here.

The Short Questions 2 to 4 Marks

🎯 Precision & Textual Evidence

What it asks: Identify specific character traits, motivations, or basic staging choices for a few specific lines in the extract.

Examiner Secret: Don't overwrite! If the question asks for two vocal skills, only provide two. Make sure you quote the exact line you are referring to from the extract. A 2-mark question should take you less than 3 minutes to answer.

The Extract Question 12 Marks

🎬 Focus on the Given Scene

What it asks: Typically asks you to act, direct, or design the entire printed extract to create a specific atmosphere or show a character's development.

Examiner Secret: You must anchor your answer entirely within the printed pages. Do not drift off into talking about the ending of the play here. Break the extract down chronologically: how do your creative choices change from the beginning of the printed text to the end as the tension rises?

The Whole Play Question 15 Marks

🧠 The Big Picture

What it asks: Discuss a character, theme, or design element in the printed extract AND relate it to the wider play.

Examiner Secret: This is where students lose the most marks by forgetting to step outside the extract. You must dedicate at least half of your essay to a different scene that is not printed on the exam paper. Compare how the character/design in the extract contrasts or connects with their behavior in another specific moment to prove your complete knowledge of the text.

Section B: Live Theatre Review (15 Marks)

You will answer ONE question evaluating a piece of live theatre you have seen. You are usually given a choice of questions focusing on acting or design. Spend your final 25 minutes here.

The Evaluation 15 Marks

⚖️ Analyze and Evaluate

What it asks: To analyze and evaluate how effectively the actors or designers communicated meaning to the audience.

Examiner Secret: Because this is only worth 15 marks, do not write a massive 4-page essay, or you will run out of time! Choose just two or three highly specific moments. Use the "AEE" structure: Action (what specifically happened on stage?), Effect (what meaning did this convey?), and Evaluation (how successful was this in making the audience feel something?).

WJEC Unit 3