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Marlbridge

OCR · GCSE

OCR GCSE Biology

Biology for OCR GCSE (syllabus J247) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
J247
Board
OCR
Qualification
GCSE

At a glance

Qualification
OCR GCSE Biology
Spec code
J247
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official OCR specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official OCR specification on 2026-08-18.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247)

Our GCSE in Biology A (Gateway Science) helps students develop their biological knowledge and scientific thinking. They discover how key concepts in biology make sense of the observed diversity of natural phenomena. Practical skills are integrated with the theoretical topics. — OCR, official syllabus page

Qualification number 601/8589/2.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the OCR syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for OCR Biology J247
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
J247/01: Paper 1 (Foundation Tier) (Foundation) 1h 45m 90 50% Written exam
J247/02: Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) (Foundation) 1h 45m 90 50% Written exam
J247/03: Paper 3 (Higher Tier) (Higher) 1h 45m 90 50% Written exam
J247/04: Paper 4 (Higher Tier) (Higher) 1h 45m 90 50% Written exam

Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against OCR's own official "GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science: Exploring our question papers" guide (covering J247/J248/J249/J250, 2026-08-28). For each separate science, assessment is through two exams per tier: Paper 1/3 tests topics 1-3 plus topic 7 (practical); Paper 2/4 tests topics 4-6 plus topic 7 (practical), with assumed knowledge of topics 1-3 and synoptic assessment. Each paper is 90 marks, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% weighting, for both Foundation tier (Papers 1-2) and Higher tier (Papers 3-4).

Assessment FAQs

How is OCR Biology (J247) assessed?

OCR Biology (J247) is assessed through: J247/01 (Paper 1 (Foundation Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification; J247/02 (Paper 2 (Foundation Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification; J247/03 (Paper 3 (Higher Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification; J247/04 (Paper 4 (Higher Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

Biology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Biology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 7 topics below are the official subject content of OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) (J247), for the For first assessment 2018 examination series, reproduced from the OCR syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 7 topics.

  1. 1 Cell level systems

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Cell structures · What happens in cells (and what do cells need)? · Respiration · Photosynthesis

  2. 2 Scaling up

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Supplying the cell · The challenges of size

  3. 3 Organism level systems

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Coordination and control -- the nervous system · Coordination and control -- the endocrine system · Maintaining internal environments

  4. 4 Community level systems

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Ecosystems

  5. 5 Genes, inheritance and selection

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Inheritance · Natural selection and evolution

  6. 6 Global challenges

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Monitoring and maintaining the environment · Feeding the human race · Monitoring and maintaining health

  7. 7 Practical skills

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: OCR -- official GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Suite Biology A (J247) specification-at-a-glance page — For first assessment 2018 series. Verified 2026-09-02. This syllabus is tiered -- see the qualification summary above for the exact tier structure. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Biology at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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