OCR · GCSE
OCR GCSE Physics
OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249). What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official specification, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.
- Syllabus
- J249
- Board
- OCR
- Qualification
- GCSE
- Not your course?
- Change course
Topics and resources
Each topic below is from the official OCR document for OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for OCR GCSE Physics (J249) only.
- Learn with study guides
- Revise with revision notes
- Practise with practice questions
Searches topic names and resource titles for this course only.
No Physics (J249) resources match “”.
- Try one shorter word, or check the spelling.
- Try the wording the syllabus uses for the topic, as listed below once you clear the search.
- Some topics have no Marlbridge resource yet; they are still listed.
- Topic 1
Matter
Covers The particle model, Changes of state, Pressure
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 2
Forces
Covers Motion, Newton's laws, Forces in action
Study guides
- Deformation, springs and Hooke's law (J249) Read guide
- Distance, speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs (J249) Read guide
- Gravity, weight and pressure force in fluids (J249) Read guide
- Interacting forces, vectors and free body diagrams (J249) Read guide
- Moments, levers and gears (J249) Read guide
- Newton's second law, inertia, momentum and circular motion (J249) Read guide
- Work done, stored energy and power from forces (J249) Read guide
- Forces (J249) Read guide
Revision notes
- Deformation, springs and Hooke's law (J249) Revise topic
- Distance, speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs (J249) Revise topic
- Gravity, weight and pressure force in fluids (J249) Revise topic
- Interacting forces, vectors and free body diagrams (J249) Revise topic
- Moments, levers and gears (J249) Revise topic
- Newton's second law, inertia, momentum and circular motion (J249) Revise topic
- Work done, stored energy and power from forces (J249) Revise topic
- Forces Revise topic
Practice questions
- Deformation, springs and Hooke's law (J249) Try questions
- Distance, speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs (J249) Try questions
- Gravity, weight and pressure force in fluids (J249) Try questions
- Interacting forces, vectors and free body diagrams (J249) Try questions
- Moments, levers and gears (J249) Try questions
- Newton's second law, inertia, momentum and circular motion (J249) Try questions
- Work done, stored energy and power from forces (J249) Try questions
- Forces Try questions
- Topic 3
Electricity
Covers Static and charge, Simple circuits
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 4
Magnetism and magnetic fields
Covers Magnets and magnetic fields, Uses of magnetism
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 5
Waves in matter
Covers Wave behaviour, The electromagnetic spectrum, Wave interaction
Study guides
- Electromagnetic waves and the spectrum (J249) Read guide
- Reflection, refraction, lenses and colour (J249) Read guide
- Sound waves at boundaries and hearing (J249) Read guide
- Uses and hazards of electromagnetic radiation (J249) Read guide
- Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves (J249) Read guide
Revision notes
- Electromagnetic waves and the spectrum (J249) Revise topic
- Reflection, refraction, lenses and colour (J249) Revise topic
- Sound waves at boundaries and hearing (J249) Revise topic
- Uses and hazards of electromagnetic radiation (J249) Revise topic
- Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves (J249) Revise topic
Practice questions
- Electromagnetic waves and the spectrum (J249) Try questions
- Reflection, refraction, lenses and colour (J249) Try questions
- Sound waves at boundaries and hearing (J249) Try questions
- Uses and hazards of electromagnetic radiation (J249) Try questions
- Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves (J249) Try questions
- Topic 6
Radioactivity
Covers Radioactive emissions, Uses and hazards
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 7
Energy
Covers Work done, Power and efficiency
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 8
Global challenges
Covers Physics on the move, Powering Earth, Beyond Earth
Study guides
- Energy resources, trends in use and mains electricity (J249) Read guide
- Estimating stopping distances, forces and crash dangers (J249) Read guide
- Everyday speeds, reaction times and stopping distances (J249) Read guide
- Radiation from bodies, the solar system and orbits (J249) Read guide
- Red-shift, the Big Bang and star formation (J249) Read guide
- The national grid and transformers (J249) Read guide
Revision notes
- Energy resources, trends in use and mains electricity (J249) Revise topic
- Estimating stopping distances, forces and crash dangers (J249) Revise topic
- Everyday speeds, reaction times and stopping distances (J249) Revise topic
- Radiation from bodies, the solar system and orbits (J249) Revise topic
- Red-shift, the Big Bang and star formation (J249) Revise topic
- The national grid and transformers (J249) Revise topic
Practice questions
- Energy resources, trends in use and mains electricity (J249) Try questions
- Estimating stopping distances, forces and crash dangers (J249) Try questions
- Everyday speeds, reaction times and stopping distances (J249) Try questions
- Radiation from bodies, the solar system and orbits (J249) Try questions
- Red-shift, the Big Bang and star formation (J249) Try questions
- The national grid and transformers (J249) Try questions
Covering more than one topic
Course guides, exam preparation and pages that span several topics.
Study guides
No study guide for this course yet.
Revision notes
No revision notes for this course yet.
Practice questions
Source: OCR – official GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science) J249 specification (accredited PDF, version 5.0) — Version 5.0 (July 2026), for first assessment in 2018. Verified 2026-09-02. Subtopics are shown where Marlbridge has entered them; a topic may have more in the official document. This syllabus is tiered: see “About this course” below for the tier structure. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
About this course
- Qualification
- OCR GCSE Physics
- Spec code
- J249
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes, one-to-one only (Rs 6,000 per class; other currencies) — request a free trial class
- Who teaches it?
- Iftikhar Azeemi
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 112 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Official specification
- OCR specification
- Topic checklist
- Printable J249 checklist
- 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 Physics A (Gateway Science) (J249)
Marlbridge's summary of the course
Our GCSE in Physics A (Gateway Science) introduces students to the key concepts of physics, integrating theory with practical skills. It helps students develop their knowledge of scientific methodology and their conceptual understanding of physics and how this can be applied to the world around them.
The board's own description is on the official OCR syllabus page.
Qualification number 601/8651/3.
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
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J249/01: Paper 1 (Foundation Tier) (Foundation) | 1h 45m | 90 | 50% | Written exam |
| J249/02: Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) (Foundation) | 1h 45m | 90 | 50% | Written exam |
| J249/03: Paper 3 (Higher Tier) (Higher) | 1h 45m | 90 | 50% | Written exam |
| J249/04: Paper 4 (Higher Tier) (Higher) | 1h 45m | 90 | 50% | Written exam |
Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-09-17. Paper structure from the J249 specification (Version 5.0), which supersedes the wording in OCR's "GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science: Exploring our question papers" guide (covering J247/J248/J249/J250, read 2026-08-28; the guide describes the physics papers as P1-P3 plus P7). For Physics A, assessment is through two exams per tier: Paper 1/3 assesses Topics P1-P4 and P9 (practical skills); Paper 2/4 assesses Topics P5-P8, with assumed knowledge of Topics P1-P4 and P9, and includes synoptic questions. Each paper is 90 marks, 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% weighting, for both Foundation tier (Papers 1-2) and Higher tier (Papers 3-4).
Questions about this course
How is OCR Physics (J249) assessed?
OCR Physics (J249) is assessed through: Foundation candidates take: J249/01 (Paper 1 (Foundation Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification; J249/02 (Paper 2 (Foundation Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification. Higher candidates take: J249/03 (Paper 3 (Higher Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification; J249/04 (Paper 4 (Higher Tier)) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 50% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-09-17.
What topics does OCR GCSE Physics (J249) cover?
8 topics in the current syllabus: Matter; Forces; Electricity; Magnetism and magnetic fields; Waves in matter; Radioactivity; Energy; Global challenges. The printable topic checklist lists every topic and subtopic on one page.
Can I get a tutor for OCR GCSE Physics (J249)?
Yes. Marlbridge teaches OCR GCSE Physics (J249) live online, one-to-one only, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.
Are there free OCR GCSE Physics (J249) revision notes and practice questions?
Yes. Marlbridge has published 112 free resources for this course (study guides, practice questions, revision notes, exam preparation guides), free to read with no sign-up.
The subject
Physics teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.
Physics 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.
- Cambridge A Level Physics Syllabus 9702
- Cambridge IGCSE Physics Syllabus 0625
- Cambridge O Level Physics Syllabus 5054
- Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics Syllabus YPH11
- Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics Syllabus 4PH1
- AQA A Level Physics Syllabus 7408
- OCR A Level Physics Syllabus H556
- OxfordAQA IGCSE Physics Syllabus 9203
- OxfordAQA A Level Physics Syllabus 9630
- International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Programme Physics Syllabus DP Physics
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