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I’ve started using biology paper 1 course for my year 9 son as the school has started some of the gcse content already. We will go on to buy the full version in year 10. The notes and quizzes are very good. Some pictures/diagrammes alongside the notes will really help.
OCR GCSE Science A Gateway Revision Guide
OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science (J250) Biology (J247) Chemistry (J248) Physics (J249)
OCR’s GCSE Science A (Gateway) counts as two GCSEs and covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics, plus practical skills. You’ll take either all Foundation tier papers or all Higher tier papers - you can’t mix tiers.
📑 How Many Papers Are There?
For OCR Science A (Gateway), you will sit 6 exam papers in total:
🧬 Biology – 2 papers
🧪 Chemistry – 2 papers
⚡ Physics – 2 papers
Each subject is split into Paper 1 and Paper 2, covering different topics.
👉 Foundation and Higher tiers study the same topics, but:
Higher tier goes into more depth
Higher includes more complex explanations, maths and application questions
🧪 Common Features Across All Papers
Practical skills (CS7) are assessed in all exams
Data analysis, evaluation and calculations are integrated
Later papers assume knowledge from earlier topics
All papers contribute equally to the final Combined Science grade
OCR-Gateway GCSE Biology Paper 1
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
B1: Cell-level systems
- Cell Structures
- What happens in cells?
- Respiration
- Photosynthesis
B2: Scaling up
- Supplying the cell
- Diffusion, osmosis, active transport
- Circulatory system in humans (heart, blood vessels)
- Transport systems in plants (xylem, phloem)
B3: Organism-level systems
- Digestive system and absorption
Nervous system and reflexes
- Hormonal control (e.g., blood glucose regulation)
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (recall of cell structures, diffusion, enzyme function)
Short-answer questions (e.g., describe osmosis, name organ systems)
Structured questions (multi-part on digestion, circulation, nervous system)
Data interpretation (graphs on enzyme activity, heart rate tables)
Math-based questions (calculating surface area-to-volume ratios)
Practical-based questions (variables in osmosis experiments, accuracy improvements)
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OCR GCSE Combined Science A Biology Paper 1 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Biology Paper 1 Higher | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Gateway Biology Paper 2
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
B4: Community-level systems
- Ecosystems and interactions
- Food chains, webs and energy transfer
- Biodiversity and its importance
B5: Genes, inheritance and selection
- DNA structure and function
- Genetic variation and inheritance patterns
- Natural selection and evolution
B6: Global challenges
- Human impact on ecosystems
- Climate change and sustainability
- Disease transmission and prevention
- Biotechnology and its applications
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (ecosystem terms, inheritance patterns)
Extended response questions (6-mark: explain natural selection or biodiversity importance)
Data analysis (population graphs, genetic cross tables)
Synoptic questions (linking genetics to global challenges)
Practical-based questions (sampling methods, evaluating fieldwork)
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Biology Paper 2 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Biology Paper 2 Higher | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Gateway Chemistry Paper 1
📑 Paper 1: Chemistry
⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.7% of total grade)
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
C1: Particles
- States of matter and particle model
- Changes of state and energy transfers
- Atomic structure
C2: Elements, compounds and mixtures
- Chemical bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic)
- Properties of substances based on bonding
- Purity and separating mixtures
C3: Chemical reactions
- Writing and balancing equations
- Types of reactions (neutralisation, displacement)
- Energy changes in reactions (endothermic/exothermic)
- Electrolysis
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (states of matter, bonding types)
Symbol equation questions (write and balance equations)
Calculation questions (relative formula mass, energy changes)
Structured questions (bonding diagrams, particle models)
Practical-based questions (accuracy in separation techniques)
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Chemistry Paper 1 Higher | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Gateway Chemistry Paper 2
📑 Paper 2: Chemistry
⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.7% of total grade)
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
C4: Predicting and identifying reactions
- Predicting chemical reactions
- The Periodic Table
C5: Monitoring and controlling reactions
- Rates of reaction and factors affecting them
- Reversible reactions and equilibrium
C6: Global challenges
- Extraction and use of resources
- Pollution and environmental impact
- Sustainable chemistry and recycling
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (reactivity series, tests for ions)
Extended response questions (evaluate sustainable chemistry methods)
Calculation questions (rates of reaction, equilibrium)
Data interpretation (graphs of reaction rates)
Synoptic questions (linking chemical reactions to global challenges)
Practical-based questions (designing experiments for rate of reaction)
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Chemistry Paper 2 Higher | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Gateway Physics Paper 1
📑 Paper 1: Physics
⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.7% of total grade)
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
P1: Matter
- Density and particle model
- Changes of state and internal energy
P2: Forces
- Motion graphs and calculations
- Newton’s laws and applications
- Forces in action
P3: Electricity and magnetism
- Static charge
- Current, voltage and resistance
- Series and parallel circuits
- Magnetism and electromagnetism basics
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (density, forces, circuit symbols)
Calculation questions (speed, pressure, resistance)
Graph interpretation (motion graphs)
Structured questions (force diagrams, circuit analysis)
Practical-based questions (accuracy in measuring density)
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Physics Paper 1 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Physics Paper 1 Higher | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Gateway Physics Paper 2
📑 Paper 2: Physics
⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.7% of total grade)
📌Content: for both foundation and higher papers.
P4: Waves and radioactivity
- Properties of waves (frequency, wavelength)
- The electromagnetic spectrum
- Reflection, refraction, and diffraction
- Nuclear radiation and half-life
P5: Energy
- Energy stores and transfers
- Efficiency and energy resources
P6: Global challenges
- Renewable vs non-renewable energy
Space physics (solar system, satellites)
Climate and energy demands
❓Question Types:
Multiple-choice questions (wave properties, energy resources)
Extended response questions (evaluate renewable energy sources)
Calculation questions (wave speed, efficiency)
Data interpretation (radioactive decay graphs)
Synoptic questions (energy transfer linked to global challenges)
Practical-based questions (designing wave experiments)
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Physics Paper 2 Foundation | Past Papers
OCR GCSE Combined Science A Physiscs Paper 2 Higher | Past Papers
👉 How to revise for OCR GCSE Combined Science
✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:
1. Know the Specification Topics 📋
Make sure you revise every topic, even ones you find tricky. Not all topics appear equally, but anything can come up!
2. Practise Past Paper Questions 📝
Doing exam-style questions helps you learn:
How questions are worded
What examiners are looking for
How to manage your time
You will find the links to past papers on this page!
3. Revise Required Practicals 🔬
You don’t need to memorise full write-ups, but you do need to understand:
Methods
Variables
How to improve accuracy
How to analyse results
4. Build Your Maths Confidence ➗
GCSE science includes maths like:
Rearranging equations
Drawing and interpreting graphs
Percentages and ratios
Regular practice makes a huge difference!
5. Use Active Revision Techniques 🧠
Try methods that make you think, not just read:
Flashcards
Teaching someone else
Self-quizzing
Timed questions
6. Use Smart Exam Technique ⏱️
Read questions carefully
Highlight command words
Show workings in calculations
Check units and labels
If you’re stuck, move on and come back
🎉 Final Thought
Six papers might sound like a lot, but with steady revision, practice questions and confidence, you can absolutely smash OCR Gateway Combined Science A 💪
You’ve got this! 🚀