MEST3 exam prep - PPE guidance

Your upcoming MEST3 Media PPE will be the first time you have attempted Section A for this crucial exam.

Although it shares some similarities, it is noticeably different to Section A in MEST1 and therefore requires a different set of strategies and revision.

The key difference is that you will be presented with TWO unseen media texts. These can be in the form of a video clip or printed on paper (print or e-media platform). Alternative, you may get one of each. You then have THREE questions to answer in 45 minutes. The marks and timing is as follows:

Question 1 Media forms - 8 marks - 10 minutes

Question 2 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes

Question 3 linked to Identity, New/Digital Media or media debates - 12 marks - 15 minutes

The critical element of Section A is that questions 2 and 3 require a wide variety of examples from across the media - in effect, this is a mini essay. To reach the top level, you must discuss media texts that are NOT the unseen texts in the exam. This is where your case studies, NDM story index and Year 12 work need to come to the fore.


MEST3 Section A: blog tasks

Question 1 preparation: Media forms

1) Revise your key media terminology and theory from Year 12: Film Language & MIGRAIN.

2) Watch a series of media texts on YouTube (TV programme openings, trailers, adverts, music videos etc.) and write notes on the use of media language to communicate a message to the audience. Try and apply key media terminology such as narrative or ideology to the text.


Question 2 preparation: Identities and the Media 

(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)

1) Revise your case studies from Year 12 with a particular focus on identity: Ill Manors (e.g. youth, politics, ideology), British film industry (e.g heritage cinema, national identity), your independent case study etc.

2) Revise our Year 13 Identities and the Media unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.

3) Use these potential Identities and the Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.


Question 3 preparation: New/Digital Media 

(Note: this question could be either Identities or New/Digital Media)

1) Revise any new/digital media aspects to your case studies from Year 12: e.g. Ill Manors Tag London campaign, A Field In England distribution strategy, your independent case study etc.

2) Revise our Year 13 New/Digital Media and News unit - making sure you know the examples and theories well enough to apply them in the exam.

3) Revise your index of NDM stories - updated to at least 40 this week. It is advisable to go through the stories and perhaps pick 10-15 particularly relevant, memorable or controversial stories that could add real depth and discussion to a mini-essay response. Learn the key statistics or quotes that you will need to apply them in the exam. 

4) Use these potential New/Digital Media Section A questions to plan responses and revise key examples from across the media.


Ultimately, the number of marks you receive will depend on how well you engage with and answer the questions. Always use the key words in the question and stay focused on what AQA are asking you. The reason you need to revise lots of examples is so you can choose the most relevant to whatever question comes up in the exam.

Your MEST3 Media PPE exam is on the first day back after Easter - Monday 16 April at 1pm. Good luck!