Course Specifics

OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physics A (Gateway Science) J249

Students are entered for either Foundation Tier (Paper 1 and Paper 2) or Higher Tier (Paper 3 and Paper 4).

Foundation Tier is based on grades 5-1 whilst Higher Tier is based on grades 9-4. Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long and is marked out of 90. Each paper is worth 50% of its Tier.

i.e. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are worth 50% each of the Foundation Tier. Paper 3 and Paper 4 are worth 50% each of the Higher Tier.

Papers 1 (J249/01) and 3 (J249/03) assess topics P1-P4 and P9. Paper 2 (J249/02) and 4(J249/04) assess topics P5-P8 with assumed knowledge of topics P1-P4 and P9.

The content is split into eight teaching topics P1-P8 and a practical activity skills topic P9:

• Topic P1: Matter
• Topic P2: Forces
• Topic P3: Electricity
• Topic P4: Magnetism and magnetic fields
• Topic P5: Waves in matter
• Topic P6: Radioactivity
• Topic P7: Energy
• Topic P8: Global challenges
• Topic P9: Practical skills

Syllabus

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