OCR GCSE Physics A (J249) & Physics B (J259) Past Papers for 2027 Exams and Beyond

Ideal for Students Sitting GCSE Physics Exams in 2027 and Beyond

These OCR GCSE Physics Past Papers are ideal for students preparing for their 2027 examinations and future exam series. Regular practice can help you strengthen your understanding of physics, improve your ability to apply equations and scientific principles, and develop the skills needed to interpret graphs, data, and experimental results.

Whether you study OCR Physics A (J249) or OCR Physics B (J259), it is important to practice papers that match your qualification and examination tier. Both qualifications offer foundation and higher-tier assessment routes, with different paper codes for each tier.

Official OCR GCSE Physics Past Papers

Our collection covers OCR GCSE Physics A and Physics B past papers from previous examination series. These papers were originally produced by OCR for the relevant GCSE qualifications and provide authentic examples of examination questions.

OCR publishes question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports through its official qualification assessment pages. These resources can help students understand the assessment format, check their answers, and learn how to improve their responses.

Always check that the paper code matches your course before beginning your revision.

OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) Past Papers – J249

OCR GCSE Physics A (J249) is part of the Gateway Science suite. The specification covers fundamental physics concepts, practical skills and applications of physics in everyday life and the wider world.

The qualification includes four written examination papers. Foundation Tier students take Papers 1 and 2, while Higher Tier students take Papers 3 and 4. Each paper is worth 90 marks and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes.

Paper 1: J249/01 – Foundation Tier

Paper 1 assesses Topics P1–P4 and practical skills. The content includes matter, forces, electricity, magnetism and magnetic fields.

Paper 2: J249/02 – Foundation Tier

Paper 2 assesses Topics P5–P8, with assumed knowledge of Topics P1–P4 and practical skills. The topics include waves in matter, radioactivity, energy and global challenges.

Paper 3: J249/03 – Higher Tier

Paper 3 assesses topics P1–P4 and practical skills at the higher tier. Students should practise applying physics principles to calculations, unfamiliar situations, and more demanding examination questions.

Paper 4: J249/04 – Higher Tier

Paper 4 assesses Topics P5–P8, with assumed knowledge of earlier topics and practical skills. It includes synoptic assessment, requiring students to draw on knowledge from across the specification.

OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) Past Papers – J259

OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) is part of the Twenty-First Century Science suite. It combines physics knowledge with scientific explanations, practical investigation, and the interpretation of evidence.

The qualification has four written examination papers. Foundation Tier students take Papers 1 and 2, while Higher Tier students take Papers 3 and 4. Each paper is worth 90 marks and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes.

Paper 1: Breadth in Physics – J259/01

This Foundation Tier paper assesses content across all eight chapters of the specification. Students need to demonstrate broad knowledge of physics concepts and apply their understanding to different contexts.

Paper 2: Depth in Physics – J259/02

This Foundation Tier paper also assesses content across all eight chapters, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in greater depth.

Paper 3: Breadth in Physics – J259/03

This higher-tier paper assesses the breadth of the specification. Practicing previous papers can help students develop confidence with challenging questions, scientific reasoning, and calculations.

Paper 4: Depth in Physics – J259/04

This higher-tier paper assesses the depth of the specification across all eight chapters. Students should practice explaining scientific ideas clearly, interpreting information, and applying their knowledge to unfamiliar problems.

OCR GCSE Physics Syllabus Summary

The topics covered depend on whether you study Physics A or Physics B.

Physics A (J249): Gateway Science Topics

P1: Matter covers the properties and behavior of matter.

P2: Forces focuses on forces, motion, and their effects.

P3: Electricity explores electrical circuits, current, potential difference, and resistance.

P4: Magnetism and Magnetic Fields covers magnetic fields, electromagnetism, and related applications.

P5: Waves in Matter examines wave properties and how waves behave.

P6: Radioactivity covers radioactive substances, radiation, and nuclear physics concepts.

P7: Energy explores energy stores, transfers, and related principles.

P8: Global Challenges applies physics to wider scientific and environmental challenges.

P9: Practical Skills develops the skills needed to plan investigations, analyze results, and evaluate experimental methods.

Physics B (J259): Twenty-First Century Science Topics

P1: Radiation and Waves covers radiation, wave behaviour and their applications.

P2: Sustainable Energy explores energy resources and the challenges of meeting energy needs sustainably.

P3: Electric Circuits examines electrical quantities, circuit behaviour and the principles of electricity.

P4: Explaining Motion covers motion, forces and the scientific explanations behind physical movement.

P5: Radioactive Materials explores radioactivity and the applications and risks of radioactive substances.

P6: Matter – Models and Explanations examines models of matter and how they explain physical properties and behavior.

P7: Ideas about science develops scientific reasoning, interpretation of evidence, and evaluation of scientific claims.

P8: Practical Skills focuses on experimental methods, measurement, analysis, and drawing conclusions from evidence.

Practice with Official OCR GCSE Physics Examination Papers

Past papers are an important part of effective GCSE Physics revision. Start by practicing questions on individual topics before progressing to complete papers under timed conditions.

After completing each paper, check your answers against the relevant mark scheme where available. Review any mistakes and revisit the concepts, equations, or practical skills that you found difficult.

For physics, pay particular attention to units, equation rearrangement, significant figures, graph interpretation and explaining scientific processes clearly.

Combine Past Papers with Revision Notes and Topic Questions

For a more effective revision strategy, combine OCR GCSE Physics past papers with revision notes and topic questions.

Use revision notes to understand the specification content, topic questions to practise individual concepts, and past papers to test your knowledge across the assessment.

A useful revision cycle is

Learn → Practice → Test → Review → Repeat

This approach can help you identify gaps in your understanding, improve your application of physics concepts, and build confidence as your examinations approach.

Prepare for Your 2027 OCR GCSE Physics Exams

If you are sitting your OCR GCSE Physics exams in 2027, make past-paper practice a regular part of your revision routine. Working through previous papers early gives you time to identify weaker topics, improve your calculations, and strengthen your scientific explanations.

Remember to practice the correct qualification: J249 for Physics A or J259 for Physics B. Check whether you are entered for the Foundation or Higher Tier so that you practice the appropriate papers.