OCR specifications

Every OCR GCSE and A-Level specification GetMoreMarks tracks, with a direct link to the official page for each one.

Links checked 18 August 2026

OCR: 52 subjects, 25 GCSE and 27 A-Level.

OCR codes are J for GCSE and H for A-Level, each followed by 3 digits: J247 for GCSE Biology, H420 for A-Level, and so on.

Sciences are where OCR gets confusing: there's a Gateway route and a Twenty First Century route for GCSE sciences, both still live, and the code alone doesn't tell you which one your child is sitting. Check the code on their exam entry or ask their teacher which route the school teaches.

OCR's own website doesn't follow a single URL pattern the way some boards do, so the safest way to reach the right page is the link below, not a guess at the address.

Most subjects here carry the paper breakdown too: number of papers, length, marks on offer, so you can see exactly what your child sits and when.

OCR GCSE

25 subjects

Art & DesignJ170single
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Biology A (Gateway)J247F / H
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- Paper 1: Breadth in BiologyJ247-01 / J247-02100 marks1h 45m
  - Cell level systems
  - Scaling up
  - Organism level systems
- Paper 2: Depth in BiologyJ247-03 / J247-04100 marks1h 45m
  - Community level systems
  - Genes, inheritance and selection
  - Global challenges
Total exam marks: 200Total exam time: 3h 30m
BusinessJ204single
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Chemistry A (Gateway)J248F / H
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- Paper 1: Breadth in ChemistryJ248-01 / J248-02100 marks1h 45m
  - Particles
  - Elements, compounds and mixtures
  - Chemical reactions
- Paper 2: Depth in ChemistryJ248-03 / J248-04100 marks1h 45m
  - Predicting and identifying reactions and products
  - Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions
  - Global challenges
Total exam marks: 200Total exam time: 3h 30m
Citizenship StudiesJ270single
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Combined Science A (Gateway)J250F / H
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- Paper 1: Biology — BreadthJ250-01 / J250-02
  - Cell level systems
  - Scaling up
  - Organism level systems
- Paper 2: Biology — DepthJ250-03 / J250-04
  - Community level systems
  - Genes, inheritance and selection
  - Global challenges
- Paper 3: Chemistry — BreadthJ250-05 / J250-06
  - Particles
  - Elements, compounds and mixtures
  - Chemical reactions
- Paper 4: Chemistry — DepthJ250-07 / J250-08
  - Predicting and identifying reactions and products
  - Monitoring and controlling chemical reactions
  - Global challenges
- Paper 5: Physics — BreadthJ250-09 / J250-10
  - Matter
  - Forces
  - Electricity and magnetism
- Paper 6: Physics — DepthJ250-11 / J250-12
  - Waves and radioactivity
  - Energy
  - Global challenges
Computer ScienceJ277single
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- Paper 1: Computer SystemsJ277-0180 marks1h 30m
  - Systems architecture
  - Memory and storage
  - Networks
  - Network security
  - Systems software
  - Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts
- Paper 2: Computational Thinking, Algorithms & ProgrammingJ277-0280 marks1h 30m
  - Algorithms
  - Programming fundamentals
  - Producing robust programs
  - Boolean logic
  - Programming languages and IDEs
Total exam marks: 160Total exam time: 3h
Design & TechnologyJ310single
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DramaJ316single
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English LanguageJ351single
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- Paper 1: Communicating Information & IdeasJ351-0180 marks2h
  - Reading non-fiction texts
  - Writing to communicate information and ideas
- Paper 2: Exploring Effects & ImpactJ351-0280 marks2h
  - Reading an unseen fiction extract
  - Narrative and descriptive writing
Total exam marks: 160Total exam time: 4h
English LiteratureJ352single
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- Paper 1: Exploring Modern and Literary Heritage TextsJ352-0180 marks2h
  - A modern prose or drama text
  - A 19th-century prose text
- Paper 2: Exploring Poetry and ShakespeareJ352-0280 marks2h
  - Poetry across time
  - A Shakespeare play
Total exam marks: 160Total exam time: 4h
Food Preparation & NutritionJ309single
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FrenchJ243F / H
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Geography BJ384single
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- Paper 1: Our Natural WorldJ384-0170 marks1h 15m
  - Global hazards
  - Changing climate
  - Distinctive landscapes
  - Sustaining ecosystems
- Paper 2: People & SocietyJ384-0270 marks1h 15m
  - Urban futures
  - Dynamic development
  - UK in the 21st century
  - Resource reliance
- Paper 3: Geographical ExplorationJ384-0360 marks1h
  - Geographical skills
  - Fieldwork enquiry
Total exam marks: 200Total exam time: 3h 30m
GermanJ244F / H
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History AJ410single
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- Paper 1: Period Study: International Relations (with Non-British Depth Study)J410/01-07105 marks1h 45m
  - Period study: international relations
  - Non-British depth study
- Paper 2: British Thematic StudyJ410/08-1050 marks1h
  - British thematic study
- Paper 3: British Depth Study with a Study of the Historic EnvironmentJ410/11-1355 marks1h 15m
  - British depth study
  - Historic environment
Total exam marks: 210Total exam time: 4h
MathematicsJ560F / H
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- Paper 1: Non-CalculatorJ560-01 / J560-04100 marks1h 30m
  - Number
  - Algebra
  - Ratio, proportion and rates of change
  - Geometry and measures
  - Probability
  - Statistics
- Paper 2: CalculatorJ560-02 / J560-05100 marks1h 30m
  - Number
  - Algebra
  - Ratio, proportion and rates of change
  - Geometry and measures
  - Probability
  - Statistics
- Paper 3: CalculatorJ560-03 / J560-06100 marks1h 30m
  - Number
  - Algebra
  - Ratio, proportion and rates of change
  - Geometry and measures
  - Probability
  - Statistics
Total exam marks: 300Total exam time: 4h 30m
Media StudiesJ200single
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MusicJ536single
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Physical EducationJ587single
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Physics A (Gateway)J249F / H
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- Paper 1: Breadth in PhysicsJ249-01 / J249-02100 marks1h 45m
  - Matter
  - Forces
  - Electricity and magnetism
- Paper 2: Depth in PhysicsJ249-03 / J249-04100 marks1h 45m
  - Waves and radioactivity
  - Energy
  - Global challenges
Total exam marks: 200Total exam time: 3h 30m
Religious StudiesJ625single
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SociologyJ699single
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SpanishJ245F / H
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StatisticsJ597F / H
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OCR A-Level

27 subjects

Art & DesignH600
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Biology AH420
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- Paper 1: Biological ProcessesH420-01100 marks2h 15m
  - Foundations in biology
  - Exchange and transport
  - Communication and homeostasis
- Paper 2: Biological DiversityH420-02100 marks2h 15m
  - Biodiversity, evolution and disease
  - Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
- Paper 3: Unified BiologyH420-0370 marks1h 30m
  - Synoptic questions across all six modules
  - Practical and mathematical skills in biology
Total exam marks: 270Total exam time: 6h
BusinessH431
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Chemistry AH432
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- Paper 1: Periodic Table, Elements & Physical ChemistryH432-01100 marks2h 15m
  - Foundations in chemistry
  - Periodic table and energy
  - Physical chemistry and transition elements
- Paper 2: Synthesis & Analytical TechniquesH432-02100 marks2h 15m
  - Core organic chemistry
  - Organic chemistry and analysis
- Paper 3: Unified ChemistryH432-0370 marks1h 30m
  - Synoptic questions across all six modules
  - Practical and mathematical skills in chemistry
Total exam marks: 270Total exam time: 6h
Computer ScienceH446
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- Paper 1: Computer SystemsH446-01140 marks2h 30m
  - Computer systems and processors
  - Software and programming languages
  - Data representation and exchange
  - Networks and web technologies
  - Databases
  - Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues
- Paper 2: Algorithms & ProgrammingH446-02140 marks2h 30m
  - Computational thinking and problem solving
  - Programming techniques
  - Algorithms and data structures
  - Trace tables and code interpretation
Total exam marks: 280Total exam time: 5h
Design & TechnologyH406
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Drama & TheatreH459
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EconomicsH460
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- Paper 1: MicroeconomicsH460-0180 marks2h
  - Markets and market failure
  - Price mechanism and elasticities
  - Business behaviour and market structures
  - The labour market
- Paper 2: MacroeconomicsH460-0280 marks2h
  - Aggregate demand and supply
  - Economic growth, inflation and unemployment
  - Macroeconomic policy
- Paper 3: Themes in EconomicsH460-0380 marks2h
  - Synoptic application of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory
  - Data response and evaluation of real-world economic issues
Total exam marks: 240Total exam time: 6h
English LanguageH470
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English LiteratureH472
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FrenchH460
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Further Mathematics AH245
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- Paper 1: Pure CoreH245-0175 marks1h 30m
  - Complex numbers
  - Matrices
  - Proof by induction
  - Further algebra and functions
- Paper 2: Pure CoreH245-0275 marks1h 30m
  - Further calculus
  - Polar coordinates
  - Hyperbolic functions
  - Differential equations
- Paper 3: OptionsH245-0375 marks1h 30m
  - One optional strand, chosen from statistics, mechanics, discrete mathematics and additional pure mathematics
- Paper 4: OptionsH245-0475 marks1h 30m
  - A second optional strand, chosen from statistics, mechanics, discrete mathematics and additional pure mathematics
Total exam marks: 300Total exam time: 6h
Geography BH481
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- Paper 1: Physical SystemsH481-0166 marks1h 30m
  - Earth's life support systems: the water and carbon cycles
  - One landscape system, chosen from coastal, glaciated or dryland landscapes
- Paper 2: Human InteractionsH481-0266 marks1h 30m
  - Changing spaces, making places
  - One global connections topic, chosen from the specification's options
- Paper 3: Geographical DebatesH481-0366 marks2h 30m
  - Two geographical debates, chosen from climate change, disease dilemmas, exploring oceans, future of food and hazardous Earth
  - Geographical skills and synthesis
Total exam marks: 198Total exam time: 5h 30m
GermanH461
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History AH505
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- Paper 1: British Period Study80 marks2h 30m
  - A British period study and enquiry, chosen from the specification's British history options
- Paper 2: Non-British Period Study80 marks1h 30m
  - A non-British period study, chosen from the specification's options
- Paper 3: Thematic Study80 marks2h 30m
  - A thematic study with historical interpretations, chosen from the specification's options
Total exam marks: 240Total exam time: 6h 30m
LawH418
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Mathematics AH240
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- Paper 1: Pure MathematicsH240-01100 marks2h
  - Algebra and functions
  - Coordinate geometry
  - Sequences and series
  - Trigonometry
  - Exponentials and logarithms
  - Differentiation and integration
- Paper 2: Pure Mathematics & StatisticsH240-02100 marks2h
  - Pure mathematics
  - Statistical sampling and data presentation
  - Probability and statistical distributions
  - Statistical hypothesis testing
- Paper 3: Pure Mathematics & MechanicsH240-03100 marks2h
  - Pure mathematics
  - Quantities and units in mechanics
  - Kinematics
  - Forces and Newton's laws
  - Moments
Total exam marks: 300Total exam time: 6h
Media StudiesH409
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MusicH543
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PhilosophyH573
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Physical EducationH555
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Physics AH556
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- Paper 1: Modelling PhysicsH556-01100 marks2h 15m
  - Foundations of physics
  - Forces and motion
  - Newtonian world and astrophysics
- Paper 2: Exploring PhysicsH556-02100 marks2h 15m
  - Electrons, waves and photons
  - Particles and medical physics
- Paper 3: Unified PhysicsH556-0370 marks1h 30m
  - Synoptic questions across all six modules
  - Practical and mathematical skills in physics
Total exam marks: 270Total exam time: 6h
PoliticsH447
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PsychologyH567
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- Paper 1: Research MethodsH567-0190 marks2h
  - Research methods and design
  - Data analysis and statistics
  - Practical research skills
- Paper 2: Psychological Themes Through Core StudiesH567-02105 marks2h
  - Core studies across social, cognitive and developmental psychology
  - Core studies across biological psychology and individual differences
- Paper 3: Applied PsychologyH567-03105 marks2h
  - Issues in mental health
  - Two applied topics chosen from child psychology, criminal psychology, environmental psychology and sport and exercise psychology
Total exam marks: 300Total exam time: 6h
Religious StudiesH573
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SociologyH580
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SpanishH462
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