GCSE (9-1) FAQs
GCSE Ancient History (9-1) - J198
GCSE Art and Design (9-1) - J170-J176
- Can centres or students use personal devices and cloud tools or storage to produce digital artwork in the exam?
- Can student art work be posted on social media?
- Should the timed examination be held under exam conditions?
- How long is the externally set task?
- What dates are the externally set task pre-release papers available?
- Can teachers see the pre-release papers before the release date?
GCSE Gateway Science Suite - Biology A (9-1) - J247
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What is Teach Cambridge and how do I access it?
- Does Cambridge OCR hold science teacher networks?
- What resources are available to support mock examinations?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Biology B (9-1) - J257
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
- What records do we need to keep of our students’ practical work?
GCSE Business (9-1) - J204
- If we offer GCSE Business and GCSE Economics, will they both contribute to performance tables?
- Can we offer both GCSE Business and the Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing and will they both contribute to performance tables?
- What is the discount code for GCSE Business (J204)?
- Text has been removed from a past exam paper. I’d like to use it for a mock exam. Can I get a copy of the text?
- How can I get advice on how to structure answers to exam questions? How should my students approach the exam questions?
- Can you put me in touch with teachers near me that deliver this qualification?
GCSE Gateway Science Suite - Chemistry A (9-1) - J248
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Chemistry B (9-1) - J258
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
GCSE Citizenship Studies (9-1) - J270
GCSE Classical Greek (9-1) - J292
GCSE Computer Science (9-1) - J277 (from 2020)
- Cambridge OCR exam reference language (ERL)?
- What forms do I need to submit to Cambridge OCR?
- What programming language should I use for GCSE Computer Science?
- Is GCSE Computer Science suitable for all learners, or is it mainly aimed at high-ability students?
- Can a candidate write in code for the whole of Paper 02?
- Do candidates need to learn and memorise Cambridge OCR Reference Language?
GCSE Design and Technology (9-1) - J310
- GCSE Design and Technology: Can we deliver a specific pathway to our students?
- GCSE Design and Technology: Will the structure of the exam always be the same?
- GCSE Design and Technology: Why do OCR refer to ‘users’ and ‘stakeholders’ rather than ‘clients’?
- GCSE Design and Technology: How do Technical Specifications link to the plans for making the final prototype(s)?
- GCSE Design and Technology: What sort of video evidence is needed in the NEA?
- GCSE Design and Technology: Can we just deliver one set task for the NEA to our students?
GCSE Drama (9-1) - J316
- Can a digital or recorded version of a live performance be used for Section B of the written paper?
- My Drama students need to experience live theatre in person but cannot attend a live event
- GCSE Drama: How is the qualification assessed?
- GCSE Drama: Can I have information on the NEA?
- GCSE Drama: What is the Drama and Theatre Live Theatre Statement?
- GCSE Drama: How do I choose my texts and what is the Drama Text Management Service?
GCSE Economics (9-1) - J205
- If we offer GCSE Economics and GCSE Business, will they both contribute to performance tables?
- What is the discount code for GCSE Economics (J205)?
- How can I get advice on how to structure answers to exam questions? How should my students approach the exam questions?
- Can you put me in touch with teachers near me that deliver this qualification?
- What assessment resources do you have for mock exams?
- What’s the best way to practise Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for this qualification?
GCSE English Language (9-1) - J351
- In exam questions that ask students to analyse language and structure, is there a set number of points expected for each?
- When is the deadline for submitting the Spoken Language Assessment materials?
- Where can I find more information about delivering the spoken language assessment?
- How should my students approach question 4?
- What does ‘relevant subject terminology’ mean?
- Some of my students use a scribe. Can they still access the SPaG marks for J351?
GCSE English Literature (9-1) - J352
- Do you advise using a specific version of the set texts?
- How can students compare context in Component 1 Section A Part a) when one of the texts is unseen?
- Can my poem or short story be used in your specification?
- Can you give me some advice on Paper 1, Modern Texts part b, where the question asks students to ‘Explore another moment where…’?
- How to approach spelling and grammar
- How should students use quotes in exams?
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (9-1) - J309
- Does the three-hour time include setting up, washing up and clearing away?
- Can students practice their dishes before the practical task?
- I am new to Cambridge OCR, where would be the best place for me to get support and the resources I need?
- What professional development is available from Cambridge OCR?
- If a student has an access arrangement of 25% extra time for the written paper, would they be entitled to the extra time in the practical task?
- Does the whole class have to complete the task on the same day?
GCSE Geography A (Geographical Themes) (9-1) - J383
- Is there a character limit to the free text boxes?
- What happens if my centre doesn’t submit the fieldwork statement by 15 May?
- If we cannot get proof/evidence that the fieldwork has been completed by the previous centre will this be treated as malpractice?
- Who should complete the form if a student has moved schools?
- How do I know my fieldwork written statement has been submitted
- We take different classes out on different days how do we record this?
GCSE Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds) (9-1) - J384
- Is there a character limit to the free text boxes?
- What happens if my centre doesn’t submit the fieldwork statement by 15 May?
- If we cannot get proof/evidence that the fieldwork has been completed by the previous centre will this be treated as malpractice?
- Who should complete the form if a student has moved schools?
- How do I know my fieldwork written statement has been submitted
- We take different classes out on different days how do we record this?
GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) (9-1) - J410
- GCSE History A: Can my students answer the questions in any order they like?
- GCSE History A: How long should students spend on each question in the exams?
- GCSE History A: Do my students need to know everything in the textbook? How should I best use the textbooks?
- GCSE History A: How should my students approach the exam questions?
- GCSE History A: Can you put me in touch with other teachers who teach my topics?
- GCSE History A: I’m not sure how much depth to teach in. How can I get help with planning my delivery?
GCSE History B (Schools History Project) (9-1) - J411
- GCSE History B: How much time should I give to each part of the course? How much depth should I go into?
- GCSE History: There seems to be less content in the History B specification – is that the case? How will I know what to teach?
- GCSE History B: Is there a ‘best’ type of site to study?
- GCSE History B: With centres able to pick their own sites, how do you set questions?
- GCSE History B: How do I plan the teaching of History Around Us? What support is available?
- GCSE History B: Do I have to do a site visit?
GCSE Latin (9-1) - J282
GCSE Mathematics (9-1) - J560
- GCSE Mathematics: When can I sit the a GCSE (9-1) mathematics qualification?
- GCSE Mathematics: Which formulae will be provided in GCSE (9-1) mathematics assessments?
- GCSE Mathematics: What formulae must candidates recall in GCSE (9-1) mathematics?
- GCSE Mathematics: Do I need to teach specific methods for topics?
- GCSE Mathematics: Is content graded in the GCSE (9-1) mathematics?
- What are the weightings for each content area?
GCSE Media Studies (9-1) - J200
- GCSE Media Studies: Can you supply the TV drama extract/DVD from paper one used in past exams?
- GCSE Media Studies: For the Promoting Media topic which TV adverts do students study?
- GCSE Media Studies: What changes are being made to the set media products?
- GCSE Media Studies: How do we access episodes of the Live Lounge?
- GCSE Media Studies: How many set theorists do students need to know?
- GCSE Media Studies: What is the ‘Media Theoretical Framework’?
GCSE Music (9-1) - J536
- When are the Compostion briefs released for the Practical Component?
- GCSE Music: Sending work to OCR
- GCSE Music: How do music grades relate to the performance element?
- GCSE Music: Minimum time and score requirements
- GCSE Music: Non-exam assessment (NEA) guidance
- GCSE Music: What to include when submitting work
GCSE Physical Education (9-1) - J587
- Where can I find resources and support?
- What dates do we need to make entries/submit/arrange/apply for by?
- What are the grade boundaries for the GCSE qualification?
- Can we do a sport which is not listed in the specification?
- When should they start the coursework?
- What needs to be in the Analysis and Evaluation performance (AEP)?
GCSE Gateway Science Suite - Physics A (9-1) - J249
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Physics B (9-1) - J259
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
GCSE Psychology (9-1) - J203
- What are the command terms used?
- Where can I find resources and support?
- Can students get marks for a plan in 13 mark questions?
- Do students achieve marks for quality of written communication (QWC) in the exams?
- What does a substantiated judgement look like?
- Can they use non-named studies on the specification in a 13 mark answer?
GCSE Religious Studies (9-1) - J625, J125
- GCSE Religious Studies: What resources do OCR have available?
- GCSE Religious Studies: What professional development courses are available?
- GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course): What resources do OCR have available for the Short Course qualification?
- GCSE Religious Studies: What textbooks are available?
- GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course): What textbooks are available for the Short Course qualification?
GCSE Gateway Science Suite - Combined Science A (9-1) - J250
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?
- What records do we need to keep of our students’ practical work?
- What resources are available to support mock examinations?
GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Combined Science B (9-1) - J260
- Will data and equation sheets be provided in upcoming series?
- What is the difference between the Gateway Science Suite and the Twenty First Century Science Suite?
- Is there an alternative to GCSE Sciences for students currently working at a lower attainment level?
- What support is available on for making decisions on which tier (foundation or higher) we should enter students?
- Should I enter my students for combined or separate sciences?
- What practical activities do we need to complete with students?