How is OCR GCSE History A assessed?

Three papers. Paper 1 (Period Study with Non-British Depth Study, 1h 45m, 105 marks) is 50%. Paper 2 (British Thematic Study, 1h, 50 marks) is 25%. Paper 3 (British Depth Study with Historic Environment, 1h 15m, 55 marks) is 25%. All sat at the end of Year 11.

Which options should we study?

Your school picks 4 options: International Relations 1918-c.1975 (compulsory), 1 non-British depth study (e.g. USA 1919-48), 1 British thematic study (e.g. War and British Society), 1 linked British depth study with historic environment. Check with your teacher which options you're studying, as certain combinations must be taken together.

How does OCR A differ from OCR B?

OCR A (Explaining the Modern World) focuses on international relations and modern history plus British studies. OCR B (Schools History Project) emphasises historical enquiry and interpretation with a broader thematic focus. Same level of demand, different pedagogical approach. Your school picks.

How does OCR A differ from AQA?

OCR A has 3 papers (50/25/25); AQA has 2 papers (50/50). OCR A's Paper 1 combines International Relations 1918-c.1975 with a non-British depth study. Content overlap is significant; structure differs. Your school picks.

No, OCR GCSE History A is untiered. All students sit the same papers. Grades 9-1 available on all papers.

Does Cognito cover OCR GCSE History A?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for OCR GCSE History A (J410). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

OCR A GCSE History (J410) Specification

OCR GCSE History A: Explaining the Modern World (J410) is a single-tier linear qualification with three papers. Paper 1 (Period Study with Non-British Depth Study: International Relations 1918-c.1975) is 50%; Paper 2 (British Thematic Study) is 25%; Paper 3 (British Depth Study with Historic Environment) is 25%.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. The Changing International Order 1918-c.1975
Paper 1
- Treaty of Versailles, League of Nations
- Rise of dictatorships, road to WW2
- Cold War: origins, key events, detente
2. Non-British Depth Study (choose one)
Paper 1
- Choose 1 from: China 1950-1981 / Germany 1925-1955 / South Africa 1960-1994 / USA 1919-1948 / USA 1945-1974
3. British Thematic Study (choose one)
Paper 2
- Choose 1 from: War and British Society c.790-c.2010 / Migration to Britain c.1000-c.2010 / Power: Monarchy and Democracy c.1000-c.2014
4. British Depth Study with Historic Environment (choose one)
Paper 3
- Choose 1 from: The Impact of Empire on Britain 1688-c.1730 with Urban Environments: Patterns of Migration / The English Reformation c.1520-c.1550 with Castles: Form and Function / Personal Rule to Restoration 1629-1660 with Castles: Form and Function
- Thematic study and British depth study are linked: certain combinations must be taken together

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1 (Period Study with Non-British Depth Study)	International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918-c.1975 + chosen non-British depth study	1h 45m	105	50%	Structured questions plus source-based and extended-response essays. 5 SPaG marks included
Paper 2 (British Thematic Study)	Chosen British thematic study across a long chronology	1h	50	25%	Structured questions plus extended-response essays testing change/continuity
Paper 3 (British Depth Study with Historic Environment)	Chosen British depth study plus linked study of the historic environment	1h 15m	55	25%	Source-based questions on the historic environment plus structured and extended-response questions on the depth study. 5 SPaG marks included

PaperPaper 1 (Period Study with Non-British Depth Study)

What's assessedInternational Relations: The Changing International Order 1918-c.1975 + chosen non-British depth study

Length1h 45m

Marks105

Weight50%

Question typesStructured questions plus source-based and extended-response essays. 5 SPaG marks included

PaperPaper 2 (British Thematic Study)

What's assessedChosen British thematic study across a long chronology

Length1h

Marks50

Weight25%

Question typesStructured questions plus extended-response essays testing change/continuity

PaperPaper 3 (British Depth Study with Historic Environment)

What's assessedChosen British depth study plus linked study of the historic environment

Length1h 15m

Marks55

Weight25%

Question typesSource-based questions on the historic environment plus structured and extended-response questions on the depth study. 5 SPaG marks included

SPaG is assessed with 5 additional marks on Paper 1 and Paper 3. Thematic study and British depth study choices are linked: certain combinations must be taken together (see spec for permitted combinations).

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.	35%
AO2	Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.	35%
AO3	Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements.	15%
AO4	Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations of the past.	15%

AOAO1

What it meansDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.

Overall35%

AOAO2

What it meansExplain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

Overall35%

AOAO3

What it meansAnalyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements.

Overall15%

AOAO4

What it meansAnalyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations of the past.

Overall15%

assessment objectives

Learn your chosen options cold
OCR A offers several combinations. Your school picks: International Relations (compulsory) + 1 non-British depth + 1 British thematic + 1 linked British depth + historic environment. Focus revision on your options.
Master international relations chronology
Paper 1 spans 1918-c.1975. Learn key turning points: Versailles, League of Nations collapse, WW2, Yalta, Cold War flashpoints (Berlin, Cuba, Vietnam), detente. Prepare a decade-by-decade timeline.
Practise source analysis (AO3)
AO3 (15%) tests contemporary sources. Learn to comment on: provenance, content, tone, purpose, reliability, usefulness.
Master change/continuity for the thematic study
Paper 2 tests change over centuries. Learn key turning points, individuals and factors driving change (or continuity) across the long chronology.
Study the historic environment site carefully
Paper 3 includes a study of the historic environment linked to your British depth study (Urban Environments or Castles). Learn the site's history, purpose, evidence and how it reflects the wider period.
Learn precise dates and named individuals
Every extended answer rewards precise dates, named individuals, specific events. Prepare timelines for each chosen topic.

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GCSE History (OCR A)

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GCSE History (J410) Specification

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