GCSE Combined Science OCR Past Papers
Gateway Science Suite - Combined Science A (9-1) - J250
GCSE Combined Science Predicted Papers
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2023
Foundation
Higher
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2022
Foundation
Higher
OCR GCSE Past Papers November 2020
Foundation
Higher
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2019
Foundation
Higher
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2018
Foundation
Higher
Sample Assessment Materials
Higher
Foundation
Other Resources
Twenty First Century Science Suite - Combined Science B (9-1) - J260
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2023
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2022
OCR GCSE Past Papers November 2020
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2019
OCR GCSE Past Papers June 2018
Sample Assessment Materials
Higher
Foundation
Other Resources
OCR GCSE Science Spec at a Glance
OCR Gateway Science Suite – Combined Science A (9-1) – J250 (from 2016) Assessment summary:
There are six teaching topics for each of the sciences and a practical skills topic:
Biology
- B1: Cell level systems
- B2: Scaling up
- B3: Organism level systems
- B4: Community level systems
- B5: Genes, inheritance and selection
- B6: Global challenges
Chemistry
- C1: Particles
- C2: Elements, compounds and mixtures
- C3: Chemical reactions
- C4: Predicting and identifying reactions and products
- C5: Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions
- C6 Global challenges
Physics
- P1: Matter
- P2: Forces
- P3: Electricity and magnetism
- P4: Waves and radioactivity
- P5: Energy
- P6: Global challenges
- CS7 – Practical Skills
Biology, Chemistry and Physics all have required practicals that are covered in class. These practicals are not assessed in lessons but you will have exam questions based on these practicals in multiple papers.
The OCR GCSE combined Science exam structure
Foundation tier (grades 5-1) and higher tier (grades 9-5) both have the same exam structure.
Paper 1 (Biology)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the Science GCSE
- Assesses content from topics B1-B3 and CS7
Paper 2 (Biology)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the GCSE Science exam.
- Assesses content from topics B4–B6 and CS
- With assumed knowledge of B1–B3. This is a synoptic exam, so other areas of the GCSE Biology course can be assessed.
Paper 3 (Chemistry)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the GCSE Science qualification.
- Assesses content from topics C1-C3 and CS7
Paper 4 (Chemistry)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the GCSE mark.
- Assesses content from topics C4–C6 and CS7, with assumed knowledge of C1–C3. This is a synoptic exam, so other areas of the GCSE Chemistry course can be assessed.
Paper 5 (Physics)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the GCSE Combined Science exam.
- Assesses content from topics P1-P3 and CS7
Paper 6 (Physics)
- 60 marks
- 1 hour 10 mins
- 16.7% of the qualification.
- Assesses content from topics P4–P6 and CS7, with assumed knowledge of P1–P3. This is a synoptic exam, so other areas of the course can be assessed.
Twenty First Century Science Suite – GCSE Combined Science B (9-1) – J260 (from 2016) Assessment summary:
There are six teaching topics for each of the sciences and a practical skills topic:
Biology
- B1: You and your genes
- B2: Keeping healthy
- B3: Living together – food and ecosystems
- B4: Using food and controlling growth
- B5: The human body – staying alive
- B6: Life on Earth – past, present, and future
Chemistry
- C1: Air and water
- C2: Chemical patterns
- C3: Chemicals of the natural environment
- C4: Material choices
- C5: Chemical analysis
- C6: Making useful chemicals
Physics
- P1: Radiation and waves
- P2: Sustainable energy
- P3: Electric circuits
- P4: Explaining motion
- P5: Radioactive materials
- P6: Matter – models and explanations
Practical Skills
Biology, Chemistry and Physics all have required practicals that are covered in class. These practicals are not assessed in lessons but you will have exam questions based on these practicals in multiple papers.
The OCR 21st Century GCSE combined Science exam structure
Foundation tier (grades 5-1) and higher tier (grades 9-5) both have the same exam structure.
Paper 1 (Biology)
- 95 marks
- 1 hour 45 mins
- 26.4% of the Science GCSE exam.
- Assesses content from topics B1-B6 and Practical Skills
Paper 2 (Chemistry)
- 95 marks
- 1 hour 45 mins
- 26.4% of the Science GCSE exam.
- Assesses content from topics C1- C6 and practical skills.
Paper 3 (Physics)
- 95 marks
- 1 hour 45 mins
- 26.4% of the Science GCSE exam.
- Assesses content from topics P1-P6 and required practical skills.
Paper 4 (Combined Science)
- 75 marks
- 1 hour 45 mins
- 20.08% of the GCSE mark.
- Assesses content from all topics within the Biology, Chemistry and Physics course.