Taking OCR GCSE History? This guide explains what you’ll be tested on, how the course is assessed, and how to prepare effectively as you work towards exam day.
One important thing to know from the start: OCR offers two different GCSE History courses, called History A (J410) and History B (J411). Schools choose one of these courses, so it’s essential to check with your teacher which OCR History course you’re studying.
Read on for a clear breakdown of the exams, the skills examiners reward, and practical ways to focus your revision where it really counts.
Key takeaways
- OCR offers two separate GCSE History courses: History A (J410) and History B (J411).
- Both courses are assessed entirely through written exams.
- You’ll be tested on historical knowledge, source analysis, and extended writing.
- Grade boundaries change each year, but past data can help you set realistic targets.
- Practising exam-style questions is one of the best ways to improve your marks.
What’s the format for OCR History GCSE?
OCR History A (Explaining the Modern World)
OCR History A focuses on modern world history, thematic British history, and a historic environment study, where you examine a specific historical site and how it links to the period you’re studying.
The course is assessed through:
- Three written exam papers
- All exams are taken at the end of the course
- There is no coursework
- Your final grade is based entirely on exam performance
Your school selects the topics you’ll study by choosing one option from each part of the course.
OCR History B (Schools History Project)
OCR History B is also assessed entirely by exams, but it has a slightly different structure and approach.
The course includes:
- Three written exam papers
- One British history paper
- One world history paper
- One “History Around Us” paper (a local or site-based historical study)
History B places more emphasis on historical enquiry and understanding how historians work.
What’s the difference between the papers for OCR History GCSE?
OCR History A (Explaining the Modern World)
Paper 1: Period study and non-British depth study (1 hour 45 minutes)
This paper focuses on modern world history.
You’ll study:
- One-period study, which explores key developments across a set period of time
- One non-British depth study, which looks closely at a specific country or international topic
In the exam, you’ll be asked to:
- Answer short knowledge questions
- Analyse historical sources
- Write extended answers explaining causes, consequences, and significance
This paper rewards your ability to explain how and why events developed over time.
Paper 2: British thematic study (1 hour 45 minutes)
This paper focuses on change and continuity in British history across a long time period.
You’ll study:
- One thematic study, tracking how an aspect of British society developed over hundreds of years
In the exam, you’ll be assessed on:
- Explaining what changed and what stayed the same
- Making comparisons across time
- Writing clear, structured explanations supported by evidence
This paper rewards strong organisation and the ability to link ideas across different periods.
Paper 3: The historic environment (1 hour)
This paper focuses on a specific historical site, studied within its wider historical context.
You’ll be assessed on:
- Your knowledge of the site
- How it links to the themes and events you’ve studied
- Your ability to use evidence and sources effectively
This paper rewards careful reading of sources and applying knowledge to a real historical setting.
OCR History B (Schools History Project)
OCR History B is also assessed through three exam papers, but they are organised by area of history, rather than by type of study.
Paper 1: British history (1 hour 45 minutes)
This paper focuses on British history, combining long-term themes with more focused depth.
You’ll study:
- A British thematic study, which looks at how an aspect of life in Britain changed over time and what stayed the same
- A British depth study, looking closely at a specific period or event
In the exam, you’ll be asked to:
- Explain causes and consequences
- Analyse sources
- Write extended answers using detailed evidence
This paper rewards clear explanation and strong use of factual detail.
Paper 2: World history (1 hour 45 minutes)
This paper focuses on international history beyond Britain.
You’ll study:
- A world history depth study, looking at a specific country, conflict, or global issue
In the exam, you’ll be assessed on:
- Explaining key developments
- Analysing sources and interpretations
- Writing structured, well-supported answers
This paper rewards your ability to understand events in a wider global context.
Paper 3: History Around Us (1 hour)
This paper focuses on a local historical site or environment.
You’ll be assessed on:
- Your knowledge of the site
- How historians study and interpret evidence
- Answering questions based on sources and context
This paper also includes marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).
What are examiners looking for?
OCR History examiners assess your work using clear assessment objectives. In simple terms, they want to see that you can:
- Show accurate knowledge and understanding
- Key events, people, dates, and developments
- Explain and analyse historical concepts
- Cause and consequence
- Change and continuity
- Significance of historical events
- Analyse and evaluate sources by:
- Describing what the source tells you about the past
- Thinking about why it was produced and who it was aimed at
- Explaining how far it helps answer the question, and where its limits might be
To reach the top grades, you’ll need to:
- Use precise factual detail
Naming specific events, laws, people, and dates shows a secure understanding.
- Answer the question directly
Focus only on what the question is asking and avoid just writing down everything you know. Make sure your response focuses on answering the question specifically.
- Structure your answers clearly
Using a structure like PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) helps examiners follow your thinking and reward it. You can learn how to use this effectively in our guide to the PEEL technique for GCSE essay writing: How to use the PEEL technique to write an effective essay.
- Explain why events happened, not just what happened
Examiners reward answers that explain causes, consequences, and historical significance, not just descriptions of events.
