OCR GCSE Science: Exam Format, Tips, and Revision Strategies

If you’re taking OCR GCSE Science — whether Combined Science or separate Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — understanding the exam format and how OCR assesses you is crucial for maximising your marks. OCR has specific quirks that differ from AQA and Edexcel, and knowing them gives you an advantage.

OCR Science Specifications

OCR offers two science qualifications at GCSE:

Combined Science (J250): Two GCSEs worth of science covering Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. You’ll receive a double grade (e.g., 5-5, 6-6, or 6-7).

Separate Sciences (J247, J248, J249): Three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, each with more depth and breadth.

Both are available at Foundation (grades 1-5) and Higher (grades 4-9) Tiers.

Exam Structure

Combined Science

Six papers total — two Biology, two Chemistry, two Physics.

Each paper: 1 hour 10 minutes
Each worth 70 marks
Mix of multiple choice, short answer, and extended response questions

Separate Sciences

Each science has two papers:

Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks
Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks
Similar question mix: multiple choice, short answer, extended response

Both Foundation and Higher Tiers sit the same papers, but Higher papers include additional challenging questions.

What Makes OCR Different

1. Practical Skills Assessment

OCR doesn’t have separate practicals. Instead, practical skills are assessed directly in the written exams through questions about methods, apparatus, and results analysis. This means:

You must know the required practicals thoroughly
Questions test whether you can design experiments, identify variables, and evaluate methods
Expect diagrams of apparatus and results tables to analyse

2. Mathematical Skills

At least 20% of marks require mathematical skills. On Higher Tier, this increases to 30%. OCR explicitly tests:

Using equations
Rearranging formulas
Drawing and interpreting graphs
Statistical calculations (mean, range, standard deviation on Higher)
Significant figures and standard form

If maths isn’t your strength, focused practice on these skills is essential.

3. Working Scientifically

OCR embeds “Working Scientifically” skills throughout the papers. These questions assess your ability to:

Plan experiments
Identify and control variables
Analyse data critically
Evaluate methods and suggest improvements
Understand precision, accuracy, and errors

These aren’t just “describe the method” questions — they test scientific thinking.

Command Words You Must Know

OCR has specific command words, and examiners mark based on exactly what the command word asks for:

State/Give/Name: Simple recall, no explanation needed. One-word or short phrase answers.

Describe: Say what happens. No explanation of why — just the observations or process.

Explain: Give reasons why. Use “because” statements linking cause and effect.

Compare: Identify similarities and differences. Link both items explicitly.

Suggest: Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar situation. Use scientific reasoning even if you haven’t seen this exact scenario before.

Evaluate: Weigh up pros and cons, or assess the quality of data/methods. Make a judgement.

Calculate: Show working. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can earn method marks.

Misunderstanding command words costs students hundreds of marks nationally. Learn these precisely.

The Mark Scheme Mindset

OCR mark schemes are point-based. Each mark represents a specific piece of information. To maximise marks:

Be specific. “The reaction produces a gas” won’t score. “The reaction produces carbon dioxide” will.

Match marks to lines. If a question has 3 marks and 3 lines for your answer, they expect 3 distinct points.

Use scientific terminology. “Broken down” scores less than “decomposed.” “Heat energy” is better than just “heat.”

Show working in calculations. Even if you get the final number wrong, correct equation selection and substitution earn marks.

Tackling Different Question Types

Multiple Choice

OCR includes multiple choice questions at the start of papers. Don’t rush them — they’re worth the same as other marks.

Read all options before choosing
Eliminate obviously wrong answers
If unsure, make an educated guess (no negative marking)
Time: roughly 1 minute per mark

Short Answer Questions

These test specific knowledge and application:

Answer precisely what’s asked
Use the mark allocation as a guide to detail needed
Define key terms carefully
If asked to “suggest,” use scientific reasoning even if it’s an unfamiliar context

6-Mark Extended Response Questions

Each paper has at least one of these. They assess your ability to construct a developed answer with logical structure:

Plan your answer before writing (30 seconds is enough)
Include an introduction and conclusion
Link ideas logically
Use scientific vocabulary
Give specific examples
Write in continuous prose, not bullet points

Mark schemes assess: Level 1 (basic), Level 2 (detailed), Level 3 (comprehensive). To hit Level 3, you need a well-structured answer covering all aspects of the question with correct science throughout.

Required Practicals

OCR specifies required practicals you must know. While you don’t perform them in exams, you must answer questions about them:

Know the method. Step-by-step procedure, including specific apparatus.

Identify variables. Independent (what you change), dependent (what you measure), control (what you keep the same).

Understand safety. What hazards exist and how to minimise risk.

Analyse results. How to present data (tables, graphs), identify patterns, calculate means.

Evaluate. Sources of error, accuracy vs precision, improvements.

Past papers regularly reuse practicals with slightly different questions. Practice multiple questions on each practical.

Revision Strategies for OCR Science

1. Topic-by-Topic Approach

OCR’s specification is clearly divided into topics. Work through them systematically:

Read the specification to identify exactly what you need to know
Create revision notes or flashcards for each specification point
Test yourself with practice questions
Track topics where you’re confident vs those needing more work

2. Equation Practice

OCR provides an equation sheet for some formulas, but you must know when and how to use them. Practice:

Identifying which equation a question requires
Rearranging equations for different variables
Unit conversions
Multi-step problems requiring multiple equations

3. Past Paper Strategy

Work through past papers strategically:

Start with topic-specific questions to consolidate knowledge
Progress to full timed papers closer to exams
Always mark your work using the mark scheme
Analyse mistakes — was it knowledge, technique, or timing?

4. Command Word Drills

Practice answering questions for each command word:

Find 5 “explain” questions and answer them
Find 5 “evaluate” questions and answer them
Compare your answers to mark schemes to see if you’re hitting the expected points

This trains you to recognise what different questions require.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not showing working in calculations. Show every step. If you make an arithmetic error but your method is correct, you still earn marks.

Mixing up similar concepts. Accuracy vs precision, resolution vs uncertainty, independent vs dependent variables — learn the distinctions.

Vague statements. “It increases” needs to become “The temperature increases” or “The mass increases.”

Ignoring units. Always include units with numerical answers unless they’re already given in the question.

Poor time management. Spending 15 minutes on a 2-mark question means you’ll run out of time. Aim for roughly 1 minute per mark.

Foundation vs Higher Tier

Choose Higher Tier if: You’re aiming for grades 6-9, and you’re comfortable with more complex maths and deeper explanations.

Choose Foundation Tier if: You’re aiming for grades 1-5, and you want to avoid the most challenging content and maths.

The Foundation/Higher borderline is around Grade 4-5. If you’re targeting Grade 5, consider Higher — you’ll find more accessible marks at the bottom of the paper.

Final Week Strategy

Don’t learn new content. Focus on consolidating what you know.

Do timed papers. Build stamina and practice time management.

Review your weak topics. Spend more time on content you find hard, not endlessly practising what you already know.

Memorise equations. Make sure the key formulas are locked in.

Get good sleep. Your brain needs rest to perform well.

OCR Science exams reward students who understand the mark scheme, practice consistently, and apply knowledge precisely. It’s not about knowing everything — it’s about showing what you know in the way OCR expects.

UpGrades offers OCR-specific practice questions and model answers that mirror the exact style and depth OCR examiners are looking for.