throughout the yearthe students prepare sova and drawing and painting papers. the four exams are continual assessments 1 and 2, semester assessments 1 and 2. drawing and painting examinations vary in duration and students are allowed to create an art piece over around 2–3 hours. two weeks before the drawing and painting exams, students are given several themes to choose from. they then have two weeks to complete their assigned task. the exam is marked according to five components: investigation and interpretation of theme, exploration and development of theme, aesthetic qualities, control of materials and technical processes and personal response. for the sova examination, students are tested on several artists whom they have studied. they examine selected artworks by these artists and interpret their styles and the methods applied to produce the artwork. this paper is considered a "theory" examination.