OCR GCSE (9-1) English Literature (J352)
Exam structure at a glance for OCR GCSE (9-1) English Literature: every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus tiers, practicals and the links you need.
- Board
- OCR
- Specification code
- J352
- Tiers
- No tiers (one paper set for all)
- First teaching
- 2015
- First exams
- 2017
- Exam papers
- 2 · 4 h in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
The national curriculum content behind this GCSE: KS4 English programme of study.
Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 01: Exploring modern and literary heritage texts | 2 h | 80 | 50% | Section A modern prose or drama (40 marks): compare an extract with an unseen modern extract, then a related question. Section B 19th-century prose (40 marks): extract-based or discursive essay (choice of two). Closed text. |
| Component 02: Exploring poetry and Shakespeare | 2 h | 80 | 50% | Section A poetry across time (40 marks): compare an anthology poem with an unseen poem, then another anthology poem. Section B Shakespeare (40 marks): extract-based or discursive essay (choice of two). Closed text. |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole GCSE. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- Set texts: closed book: students may not take the texts into the exam
Not yet confirmed by us: first teaching not printed in spec read (2015 from qualification page title 'from 2015'); AO4 = 5% of qualification, in section B of each component; mark count not stated. Check the specification.
Key dates
Summer 2027 exam series
- Entries deadline: Sun, 21 February 2027
- First exam: Mon, 10 May 2027
- Last GCSE exam: Fri, 18 June 2027
- Contingency day: Wed, 23 June 2027
- GCSE results day: Thu, 19 August 2027 (from a provisional board timetable)
Sources: JCQ key dates June 2027 (final (JCQ key dates)); JCQ key dates and timetables; JCQ timetable commentary. Check each board's final timetable for paper dates. Last checked 2026-10-20.
Specification, past papers and grade boundaries
- OCR: Specification at a glance (board website)
- OCR: Specification (PDF, board website)
- OCR: Past papers and mark schemes (board website)
- OCR: Grade boundaries (board website)
Facts checked against: ocr.org.uk.
More packs
Exam facts (paper names, times, marks, weightings, tiers, codes) are taken from each exam board's own specification pages and summarised in our own words; no specification text, papers or mark schemes are reproduced. Exam details checked against the board's specification on 2026-10-20. Always check the current specification on the board's website.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Ofqual and DfE pages on GOV.UK). Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, Ofqual, JCQ, AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR or WJEC Eduqas.
Questions teachers ask
How long are the OCR GCSE (9-1) English Literature exams?
Component 01: 2 h; Component 02: 2 h.