GCSE Gateway Science Combined Science A (J250) - Version 5.0 - May 2026 specification

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Putri

Qualification specification for Cambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science), identified as J250, with first assessment in 2018 and version 5.0 dated May 2026. Covers key features, specification overview, content scope across biology, chemistry and physics topics, prior knowledge, and progression. Describes assessment models, assessment objectives, command words, tiers, total qualification time, and administrative requirements, including results, certificates and malpractice. Includes appendices such as grade descriptors, accessibility, scientific working, mathematical requirements, physics equations, health and safety, and the periodic table.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages163

Reading Time6 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Support and Guidance

Introducing a new specification

Subject Advisors

Teaching and learning resources

Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science)?

Why choose an OCR qualification?

Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science)?

Key features of this specification

How to find out more information

The specification overview

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) (J250)

Content of GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) (J250)

Content of topics B1 to B6, C1 to C6 and P1 to P6

Prior knowledge, learning and progression

Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science)

Forms of assessment

Assessment objectives (AO)

Command words and tiers

Total qualification time and language

Assessment availability and retaking the qualification

Assessment of extended response and synoptic assessment

Calculating qualification results

Admin: what you need to know

Pre-assessment

Special consideration

External assessment arrangements

Results and certificates

Post-results services

Malpractice

Appendices

Grade descriptors

Overlap with other qualifications

Accessibility

Units in science

Working scientifically

Mathematical skills requirement

Equations in Physics

Health and safety

The Periodic Table of elements

Summary of updates

Qualification Accredited Specification GCSE Gateway Science Combined Science A Cambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) J250 For first assessment in 2018 Version 5.0 (May 2026) [ocr.org.uk/gcsegatewaycombinedscience](ocr.org.uk/gcsegatewaycombinedscience) i ~~ ~~AboutAs~~ ~~of~~ ~~Septeomurber2ne025w,~~ ~~ounamer~~ ~~name~~ ~~isCambridge~~ ~~OCR.~~ ~~ Students 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. You’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. Important: 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. Are you using the latest version of this specification? The latest version of our specifications will always be on our website and may differ from printed versions. We will inform centres about changes to specifications. Tell us what you think Your 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. You 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. Designing and testing in collaboration with teachers and students Helping young people develop an ethical view of the world Equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) are part of everything we do Contents Support and Guidance ii Assessment Preparation and Analysis Service iii | 1 | Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science)? | 1 | | --- | --- | --- | | | 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? | 1 | | | 1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science)? | 2 | | | 1c. What are the key features of this specification? | 4 | | | 1d. How do I find out more information? | 5 | | 2 | The specification overview | 6 | | | 2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) (J250) | 6 | | | 2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) (J250) | 8 | | | 2c. Content of topics B1 to B6, C1 to C6 and P1 to P6 | 16 | | | 2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression | 126 | | 3 | Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science) | 127 | | | 3a. Forms of assessment | 127 | | | 3b. Assessment objectives (AO) | 129 | | | 3c. Command words | 130 | | | 3d. Tiers | 133 | | | 3e. Total qualification time | 133 | | | 3f. Qualification availability outside of England | 133 | | | 3g. Language | 133 | | | 3h. Assessment availability | 133 | | | 3i. Retaking the qualification | 133 | | | 3j. Assessment of extended response | 133 | | | 3k. Synoptic assessment | 134 | | | 3l. Calculating qualification results | 134 | | 4 | Admin: what you need to know | 135 | | | 4a. Pre-assessment | 135 | | | 4b. Special consideration | 136 | | | 4c. Exter

FAQs

What qualification is this specification for and what is the code J250 used for?

It is for Cambridge OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Combined Science A (Gateway Science). J250 identifies the specification within this combined science qualification.

What topics are included in the Combined Science A content?

The specification includes topic content covering biology (B1 to B6), chemistry (C1 to C6), and physics (P1 to P6). It also outlines prior knowledge, learning, and progression.

How are assessments structured in this specification?

It describes forms of assessment, assessment objectives (AO), command words, tiers, total qualification time, and rules for assessment availability. It also covers retaking, extended response, synoptic assessment, and how qualification results are calculated.

Which administrative and appendix areas are covered?

Administrative sections cover pre-assessment, special consideration, external assessment arrangements, results and certificates, post-results services, and malpractice. Appendices provide grade descriptors, accessibility information, scientific working, mathematical requirements, physics equations, health and safety, and the periodic table of elements.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Putri