OCR GCSE (9-1) History A (Explaining the Modern World) (J410)
Exam structure at a glance for OCR GCSE (9-1) History A (Explaining the Modern World): every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus tiers, practicals and the links you need.
- Board
- OCR
- Specification code
- J410
- Tiers
- No tiers (one paper set for all)
- First teaching
- 2019
- First exams
- 2021
- Exam papers
- 3 · 4 h in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
The national curriculum has no KS4 programme of study for history (KS1-3 only).
Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component group 1: International relations 1918-1975 with a non-British depth study | 1 h 45 min | 105 +5 SPaG | 50% | Section A period study (65 marks): outline, explain, compare interpretations, essay. Section B depth study (40 marks) from five options: describe, explain, source questions, essay. |
| Component group 2: Thematic study | 1 h | 50 | 25% | One of three themes (migration, power, war and society): describe, explain, second-order concept question and a change/continuity essay. |
| Component group 3: British depth study with the historic environment | 1 h 15 min | 55 +5 SPaG | 25% | Section A depth study (35 marks): explain plus a source-based essay. Section B historic environment (20 marks): explain and compare sources. |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole GCSE. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- SPaG: 200 marks plus 10 SPaG marks (210 in total); marks shown include SPaG where stated.
Not yet confirmed by us: spec says certificated from June 2018 in one place but cover says first assessment 2021 (revised version). 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) History A (Explaining the Modern World) exams?
Component group 1: 1 h 45 min; Component group 2: 1 h; Component group 3: 1 h 15 min.