The Speech and Drama exams are designed for candidates who want to focus on a variety of spoken and performance forms. Candidates perform and show knowledge and understanding of a mixture of texts including plays, poetry and prose in a range of styles and from different periods. They additionally demonstrate their understanding of their performances through a discussion with the examiner.
Exam Requirements
| Exam Duration | 8 minutes | |
| Task 1 | Performance | The candidate tells or acts out an extract from a story, either from memory or in the candidate’s own words (accuracy of recall is not tested in this task). (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 2 | Performance | The candidate performs a poem from memory |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a conversation with the examiner on the performed pieces including their content and meaning. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 10 minutes | |
| Task 1-2 | Performance | The candidate performs ONE of the following from memory: ◗ An extract from a play or a monologue from a book of monologues ◗ A passage of prose (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 3 | Performance | The candidate performs ONE of the following from memory: ◗ A mime ◗ A poem (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a conversation with the examiner on the performed pieces including their content and meaning (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 12 minutes | |
| Task 1-2 | Performance | The candidate performs TWO pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play or a monologue from a book of monologues ◗ A passage of prose ◗ A poem ◗ A mime (maximum time: 6 minutes) |
| Task 3 | Key Skills | The candidate chooses and undertakes ONE of the following: ◗ Reads a passage at sight from their own book selected by the examiner ◗ Invents and tells a story based on a picture provided by the examiner (maximum time: 2 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a conversation with the examiner on the performed pieces, including their content and meaning and the candidate’s ideas about what makes a good story. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 14 minutes | |
| Task 1-2 | Performance | The candidate performs TWO pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play or a monologue from a book of monologues ◗ A passage of prose ◗ A poem ◗ A mime (maximum time: 7 minutes) |
| Task 3 | Key Skills | The candidate chooses and undertakes ONE of the following: ◗ Reads a passage at sight from their own book selected by the examiner ◗ Invents and tells a story based on a picture provided by the examiner (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a conversation with the examiner on the performed pieces, including their content, meaning, mood, and the use of pause and emphasis in the work presented. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 16 minutes | |
| Task 1-3 | Performance | The candidate performs THREE pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play ◗ A passage of prose ◗ A poem ◗ A passage of reportage (maximum time: 9 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Key Skills | The candidate chooses and undertakes ONE of the following: ◗ Reads a passage at sight of prose provided by the examiner ◗ Invents and tells a story using four words provided by the examiner (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a discussion with the examiner on the performed pieces. The candidate should be prepared to engage in discussion on the following: the content, meaning, mood and context (where appropriate) of the pieces; vocal and physical aspects of characterisation; how variations in phrasing and pace contributed to the performance. |
| Exam Duration | 18 minutes | |
| Task 1 -3 | Performance | The candidate performs THREE pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play ◗ A passage of prose containing direct speech ◗ A poem ◗ A speech or a passage from a speech given by a significant, real-life figure (maximum time: 11 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Key Skills | The candidate chooses and undertakes ONE of the following: ◗ Reads a passage at sight of prose or poetry provided by the examiner ◗ Invents and tells a story using five words provided by the examiner (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a discussion with the examiner on the performed pieces. The candidate should be prepared to engage in discussion on the following: the content, meaning, mood and context (where appropriate) of the pieces; how variations in vocal techniques and delivery contributed to the performances. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 20 minutes | |
| Task 1 -3 | Performance | The candidate performs THREE pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play ◗ A passage of prose containing direct speech ◗ A passage of verse ◗ A poem ◗ A speech or a passage from a speech given by a significant real-life figure (maximum time: 12 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Key Skills | The candidate chooses and undertakes ONE of the following: ◗ Reads a passage at sight of prose or poetry chosen and provided by the examiner ◗ Invents and tells a story using six words provided by the examiner (maximum time: 3 minutes) |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a discussion with the examiner on the performed pieces. The candidate should be prepared to engage in discussion on the following: the content, meaning, mood and context (where appropriate) of the pieces; their preparation; the specific challenges of performing the different styles of writing required in tasks 1–3; the contribution of breathing and relaxation to safe and effective performance. (maximum time: 5 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 23 minutes | |
| Task 1 -3 | Performance | The candidate performs THREE pieces chosen from the following list from memory: ◗ An extract from a play ◗ A passage of prose containing direct speech from two or more characters ◗ A poem ◗ A passage of reportage ◗ A passage written for political, religious or ceremonial purposes (maximum time: 13 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Key Skills | The candidate discusses a piece of unseen text (prose or poetry) chosen and provided by the examiner. (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages in a discussion with the examiner on the performed pieces. The candidate should be prepared to engage in discussion on the following: the content, meaning, mood and context (where appropriate) of the pieces; their preparation and interpretation; the specific challenges of performing the different styles of writing required in tasks 1–3; the contribution of resonance and articulation to safe and effective performance. (maximum time: 6 minutes) |
| Exam Duration | 25 minutes | |
| Task 1 -3 | Performance | The candidate performs a continuous programme of THREE pieces from memory: ◗ An extract from a play written in prose ◗ An extract from a play written in verse ◗ A passage of narrative prose ◗ A poem or an extract from a poem (narrative, lyrical or satirical) ◗ A passage of reportage ◗ A passage written for political, religious or ceremonial purposes (maximum time: 14 minutes) |
| Task 4 | Key Skills | The candidate works on a piece of unseen text (prose, poetry or a speech) with the examiner to realise the piece for performance (the text is provided by the examiner). (maximum time: 4 minutes) |
| Task 5 | Reflection | The candidate engages with the examiner in a discussion on the performed pieces. The candidate should be prepared to engage in discussion on the following: the content, meaning, mood and context (where appropriate) of the pieces; their selection, and interpretation; the rehearsal processes; the vocal and physical techniques employed in their preparation and performance. (maximum time: 7 minutes) |