[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-detail-208019-en":3,"doc-seo-208019-105":30,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":90},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",{"doc_id":7,"user_id":8,"nickname":9,"user_avatar":10,"doc_module":4,"category_id":11,"category_name":12,"doc_title":13,"doc_description":14,"doc_content":15,"file_id":16,"file_url":17,"file_type":18,"file_size":19,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":20,"is_downloadable":20,"audit_status":20,"page_count":21,"language":22,"language_code":23,"site_id":24,"html_lang":23,"table_of_contents":25,"faqs":26,"seo_title":27,"seo_description":14,"update_tm":28,"read_time":29},208019,5909890329169,"McQueen","https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_9964176cb1d06d4a9deccf72a44ae3dc",4,"Exam","GCSE Gateway Science Biology A (J247) - Version 4.0 - Specification","Specification for Cambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology A under the GCSE Gateway Science programme, identified as J247, with first assessment in 2018. Version 4.0 (August 2026) outlines key features, the specification overview, content coverage across topic areas B1 to B7 including practical skills, and requirements for learning progression. It also details assessment objectives, command words, tiers, calculation of results, availability and retakes, plus administration, malpractice, and appendices such as grade descriptors, accessibility, and health and safety.","Qualification Accredited  \nSpecification  \nGCSE  \nGateway Science Biology A  \nCambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)  \nJ247  \nFor first assessment in 2018  \nVersion 4.0 (August 2026) [ocr.org.uk/gcsegatewaybiology](ocr.org.uk/gcsegatewaybiology)  \ni ~~ ~~AboutAs~~ ~~of~~ ~~Septeomurber2ne025w,~~ ~~ounamer~~ ~~name~~ ~~isCambridge~~ ~~OCR.~~ ~~  \nStudents who sat an exam in summer 2025 will receive a Cambridge OCR branded exam certificate (our new brand), which will be the same for all future exam series.  \nYou’ll continue to see the OCR or Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations name while we work to update our material to our new name, Cambridge OCR. This will take some time, and you can still access all up-to-date qualification resources and materials via Teach Cambridge.  \nImportant: We’ll keep the OCR/Oxford Cambridge and RSA name on existing teaching resources while the content of these remains applicable to the specification being taught. New and refreshed resources will be produced using the Cambridge OCR name/logo.  \nAre you using the latest version of this specification?  \nThe latest version of our specifications will always be on our website and may differ from printed versions.  \nWe will inform centres about changes to specifications.  \nTell us what you think  \nYour feedback plays an important role in how we develop, market, support and resource qualifications now and into the future. We want you and your students to enjoy and get the best out of our qualifications and resources, but to do that we need your honest opinions to tell us whether we’re on the right track or not.  \nYou can email your thoughts [to](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[ ](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[support@ocr.org.uk](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[ or visit our](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[ ](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[feedback page](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about)[ to learn more about](to support@ocr.org.uk or visit our feedback page to learn more about) how you can help us improve our qualifications.  \n Designing and testing in collaboration with teachers and students  \nHelping young people develop an ethical view of the world  \n Equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) are part of everything we do  \nContents  \nSupport and Guidance ii  \nAssessment Preparation and Analysis Service iii  \n\n| 1 | Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)? | 1 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n|  | 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? | 1 |\n|  | 1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)? | 2 |\n|  | 1c. What are the key features of this specification? | 4 |\n|  | 1d. How do I find out more information? | 4 |\n| 2 | The specification overview | 5 |\n|  | 2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247) | 5 |\n|  | 2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247) | 6 |\n|  | 2c. Content of topics B1 to B6 | 10 |\n|  | 2c. Topic B7: Practical skills | 47 |\n|  | 2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression | 51 |\n| 3 | Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science) | 52 |\n|  | 3a. Forms of assessment | 52 |\n|  | 3b. Assessment objectives (AO) | 53 |\n|  | 3c. Command words | 54 |\n|  | 3d. Tiers | 56 |\n|  | 3e. Total qualification time | 56 |\n|  | 3f. Qualification availability outside of England | 57 |\n|  | 3g. Language | 57 |\n|  | 3h. Assessment availability | 57 |\n|  | 3i. Retaking the qualification | 57 |\n|  | 3j. Assessment of extended response | 57 |\n|  | 3k. Synoptic assessment | 58 |\n|  | 3l. Calculating qualification results | 58 |\n| 4 | Admin: what you need to know | 59 |\n|  | 4a. Pre-assessment | 59 |\n|  | 4b. Special consideration | 60 |\n|  | 4c. External assessment arrangements | 60 |\n|  | 4d. Results and certificates | 61","cbCaikf3dHtl5I56","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaikf3dHtl5I56","pdf",3235432,1,83,"English","en",105,"# Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)?\n## 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification?\n## 1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)?\n## 1c. What are the key features of this specification?\n## 1d. How do I find out more information?\n# The specification overview\n## 2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247)\n## 2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247)\n## 2c. Content of topics B1 to B6\n## 2c. Topic B7: Practical skills\n## 2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression\n# Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Biology A (Gateway Science)\n## 3a. Forms of assessment\n## 3b. Assessment objectives (AO)\n## 3c. Command words\n## 3d. Tiers\n## 3e. Total qualification time\n## 3f. Qualification availability outside of England\n## 3g. Language\n## 3h. Assessment availability\n## 3i. Retaking the qualification\n## 3j. Assessment of extended response\n## 3k. Synoptic assessment\n## 3l. Calculating qualification results\n# Admin: what you need to know\n## 4a. Pre-assessment\n## 4b. Special consideration\n## 4c. External assessment arrangements\n## 4d. Results and certificates\n## 4e. Post-results services\n## 4f. Malpractice\n# Appendices\n## 5a. Grade descriptors\n## 5b. Overlap with other qualifications\n## 5c. Accessibility\n## 5d. Units in science\n## 5e. Working scientifically\n## 5f. Mathematical skills requirement\n## 5g. Health and safety","[{\"question\":\"What qualification does J247 cover?\",\"answer\":\"J247 is the OCR Cambridge Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology A within the GCSE Gateway Science suite.\"},{\"question\":\"What topics and practical skills are included in the specification?\",\"answer\":\"The overview covers content across topics B1 to B6 and includes Topic B7 focused on practical skills.\"},{\"question\":\"How is assessment organised for GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science)?\",\"answer\":\"Assessment includes defined forms of assessment, assessment objectives, command words, tiers, total qualification time, and guidance on calculation of results, retaking, and synoptic assessment.\"}]","GCSE Gateway Science Biology A (J247) - Version 4.0 - Specification | PDF",1788602185,209,{"code":4,"msg":31,"data":32},"ok",{"site_id":24,"language":23,"slug":33,"title":13,"keywords":34,"description":14,"schema_data":35,"social_meta":85,"head_meta":87,"extra_data":89,"updated_unix":28},"gcse-gateway-science-biology-a-j247-version-40-specification","",{"@graph":36,"@context":84},[37,53,67],{"@type":38,"itemListElement":39},"BreadcrumbList",[40,44,48,51],{"item":41,"name":42,"@type":43,"position":20},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":45,"name":46,"@type":43,"position":47},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":49,"name":12,"@type":43,"position":50},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":52,"name":13,"@type":43,"position":11},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/gcse-gateway-science-biology-a-j247-version-40-specification/208019/",{"url":52,"name":13,"@type":54,"author":55,"headline":13,"publisher":57,"fileFormat":60,"inLanguage":23,"description":14,"dateModified":61,"datePublished":61,"encodingFormat":60,"isAccessibleForFree":62,"interactionStatistic":63},"DigitalDocument",{"name":9,"@type":56},"Person",{"url":41,"name":58,"@type":59},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-09-05",true,{"@type":64,"interactionType":65,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":66},"ViewAction",{"@type":68,"mainEntity":69},"FAQPage",[70,76,80],{"name":71,"@type":72,"acceptedAnswer":73},"What qualification does J247 cover?","Question",{"text":74,"@type":75},"J247 is the OCR Cambridge Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology A within the GCSE Gateway Science suite.","Answer",{"name":77,"@type":72,"acceptedAnswer":78},"What topics and practical skills are included in the specification?",{"text":79,"@type":75},"The overview covers content across topics B1 to B6 and includes Topic B7 focused on practical skills.",{"name":81,"@type":72,"acceptedAnswer":82},"How is assessment organised for GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science)?",{"text":83,"@type":75},"Assessment includes defined forms of assessment, assessment objectives, command words, tiers, total qualification time, and guidance on calculation of results, retaking, and synoptic assessment.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":52,"og:type":86,"og:title":13,"og:site_name":58,"og:description":14},"article",{"robots":88,"canonical":52},"index,follow",{"doc_id":7,"site_id":24},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":91},[92,96,100,103,108,113,118,123,128,131,135],{"id":20,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":93,"show_sort_weight":94,"slug":95},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":47,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":11,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":12,"show_sort_weight":101,"slug":102},70,"exam",{"id":104,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":105,"show_sort_weight":106,"slug":107},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":109,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":110,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":112},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":114,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":115,"show_sort_weight":116,"slug":117},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":119,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":121,"slug":122},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":124,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":126,"slug":127},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":126,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":129,"show_sort_weight":126,"slug":130},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":132,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":133,"show_sort_weight":132,"slug":134},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":136,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":46,"category_name":137,"show_sort_weight":104,"slug":138},19,"General","general"]