OCR GCSE Mathematics: Exam Overview
Understanding the OCR Exam Structure
OCR offers GCSE Mathematics (J560) with a slightly different approach to problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
Paper Structure
| Paper | Calculator? | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | No | 1 hour 30 mins | 100 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 2 | Yes | 1 hour 30 mins | 100 | 33⅓% |
| Paper 3 | Yes | 1 hour 30 mins | 100 | 33⅓% |
Total: 300 marks across 3 papers
Note: OCR uses 100-mark papers (not 80 like AQA/Edexcel)
Assessment Objectives
AO1: Use and Apply (50%)
- Recall and use standard techniques
- Accurate calculation and manipulation
- Knowledge of notation and terminology
AO2: Reason, Interpret, Communicate (25%)
- Construct and present chains of reasoning
- Interpret, communicate and deduce
- Assess validity of arguments
AO3: Problem Solve (25%)
- Translate problems into mathematics
- Make connections between topics
- Interpret results critically
Note: OCR has higher AO1 weighting (50%) compared to 40% for other boards.
OCR-Specific Features
Formula Sheet: OCR provides standard formulae plus a few additional ones:
- All standard trigonometry formulae
- Cone, sphere, pyramid volumes
- Compound interest formula
"Problem-solving" Questions: OCR explicitly labels some questions as testing problem-solving. These:
- May combine multiple topic areas
- Require you to decide the method
- Often have unfamiliar contexts
Mark Allocation: OCR mark schemes clearly distinguish:
- M marks (Method) — for appropriate processes
- A marks (Accuracy) — for correct answers
- B marks (B-type) — independent marks
Common OCR Topics
Based on recent papers:
- Surds and rationalising (Higher)
- Direct and inverse proportion
- Sequences including quadratic
- Probability calculations
- Constructions and loci
OCR's Approach
Mathematical Reasoning: OCR places strong emphasis on:
- Explaining why methods work
- Justifying solutions in context
- Accurate use of mathematical language
Gradual Difficulty: Papers don't strictly increase in difficulty — challenging questions can appear throughout.
Practice Resources
- OCR ExamBuilder for creating custom papers
- Past papers from J560 specification (2017+)
- Practice papers and mark schemes freely available
- "Check In" tests for topic-by-topic practice