OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249)
Exam structure at a glance for OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science): every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus tiers, practicals and the links you need.
- Board
- OCR
- Specification code
- J249
- Tiers
- Foundation and higher
- First teaching
- 2016
- First exams
- 2018
- Exam papers
- 2 · 3 h 30 min in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
The national curriculum content behind this GCSE: KS4 Science programme of study.
Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papers 1 / 3: Topics P1-P4 and P9 | 1 h 45 min | 90 | 50% |
| Papers 2 / 4: Topics P5-P8 (synoptic) | 1 h 45 min | 90 | 50% |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole GCSE. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- Required practicals: PAGs referenced; minimum number not confirmed on pages read (expected 8 as for J247/J248).
- Formulae / equations sheet: Physics equations sheet supplied for 2025-2027 exams, and from 2028 for the life of the current specifications (Ofqual decision, May 2026).
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) Physics A (Gateway Science) exams?
Papers 1 / 3: 1 h 45 min; Papers 2 / 4: 1 h 45 min.