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OCR maths past papers and more: HIGHER TIER
Below you will find all the available past papers, mark schemes and grade boundaries for the OCR GCSE higher examination. Also included on this page are the course's specification and other useful information, including the dates of the next examination.
The dates of the OCR GCSE maths examinations 2025
In a 12 month window, there are two opportunities for students to sit their GCSE maths examination. Either in the summer term in May/June or the Autumn term in November. The majority of students sit their GCSE at school in the May/June of the Summer term at the end of Year 11. Those that fail this summer exam are able to resit their GCSE examination a few months later, at college or sixth form in November during the Autumn term of Year 12.
| SUMMER | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15th May 2025 | Wednesday 4th June 2025 | Wednesday 11th June 2025 |
| AUTUMN | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 5th November 2025 | Friday 7th November 2025 | Monday 10th November 2025 |
OCR HIGHER grade boundaries (9 - 3)
This examination comprises of three test papers.
Test 1 called Paper 4 uses a calculator
Duration 1.5 hours and maximum score of 100.
Test 2 called Paper 5 is a non-calculator test
Duration 1.5 hours and maximum score of 100.
Test 3 called Paper 6 uses a calculator
Duration 1.5 hours and maximum score of 100.
The scores from each paper are combined to give the students examination total score.
A maximum of 300 marks is possible.
So for example in June 2017, a student with a total score of 150 which equates to 150/300 = 50%, would have been awarded a grade 6.
| OCR Higher | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2017 | 82.7% = 248 | 67.7% = 203 | 53.0% = 159 | 40.3% = 121 | 27.7% = 83 | 15.3% = 46 | 9.0% = 27 |
| November 2017 | 79.3% = 238 | 63.7% = 191 | 48.3% = 145 | 37.0% = 111 | 25.7% = 77 | 14.7% = 44 | 9.0% = 27 |
| June 2018 | 85.3% = 256 | 70.0% = 210 | 54.7% = 164 | 43.0% = 129 | 31.3% = 94 | 20.0% = 60 | 14.3% = 43 |
| November 2018 | 79.7% = 239 | 64.3% = 193 | 49.0% = 147 | 39.3% = 118 | 30.0% = 90 | 20.7% = 62 | 16.0% = 48 |
| June 2019 | 85.3% = 256 | 71.0% = 213 | 57.0% = 171 | 45.3% = 136 | 34.0% = 102 | 22.7% = 68 | 17.0% = 51 |
| November 2019 | 81.7% = 245 | 68.0% = 204 | 54.3% = 163 | 43.7% = 131 | 33.3% = 100 | 23.0% = 69 | 17.7% = 53 |
| Covid = NOV 2020 | 80.3% = 241 | 65.0% = 195 | 50.0% = 150 | 39.0% = 117 | 28.0% = 84 | 17.3% = 52 | 12.0% = 36 |
| Covid = NOV 2021 | 79.7% = 239 | 64.3% = 193 | 49.0% = 147 | 38.3% = 115 | 27.7% = 83 | 17.0% = 51 | 11.7% = 35 |
| June 2022 | 80.7% = 242 | 66.6% = 200 | 52.7% = 158 | 40.0% = 120 | 27.3% = 82 | 15.0% = 45 | 8.7% = 26 |
| November 2022 | 81.3% = 244 | 67.3% = 202 | 53.3% = 160 | 41.0% = 123 | 28.7% = 86 | 16.3% = 49 | 10.0% = 30 |
| June 2023 | 80.5% = 242 | 64.3% = 193 | 48.0% = 144 | 36.3% = 109 | 24.7% = 74 | 13.0% = 39 | 7.0% = 21 |
| November 2023 | 81.3% = 244 | 66.3% = 199 | 51.3% = 154 | 40.0% = 120 | 29.0% = 87 | 18.0% = 54 | 12.3% = 37 |
| June 2024 | 81.7% = 245 | 65.0% = 195 | 48.3% = 145 | 36.7% = 110 | 25.3% = 76 | 14.0% = 42 | 8.3% = 25 |
| November 2024 |
NOTE: percentages are rounded to nearest 1 d.p.
Grade boundaries can change a little from year to year, as you will see in the table above. Although OCR work hard to produce exam papers that are of the same level of difficulty each year, small variations do occur. To compensate for this the exam board adjusts the grade boundaries.
OCR HIGHER past papers and mark schemes
Practicing past papers
should rank highly on any students list of prioritys. But practice alone, is not enough to ensure improvement and success.
It vital is that the student also
marks their answers and then
seeks help/support
to "plug" the gaps in their knowledge and understanding .
This support can come from teachers/friends/family or a private tutor. Just be aware, that seeking help from too many different people, can become a hinderence to the learner. Since, different people may have differerent teaching styles and different ways of solving problems which could potentially become confusing for the learner.
- Access and download a past paper.
- Mark your answers using the mark scheme.
- Seek help to understand questions you are unable to answer, complete more revision on weak topic areas.
The impact of covid.
Summer 2020 = no formal examinations took place.
Summer 2021 = no formal examinations took place.
Unavailable papers. The two most recent set of past papers are not available for public viewing, so you will not find them listed on the internet. This is because typically, schools will use the most recent past papers for their year 11 mock examinations.
Summer 2021 = no examinations took place.
Instead, the summer 2021 papers were transfered to/used for the November 2021 examinations in Autumn.
Summer 2020 = no examinations took place.
Instead, the summer 2020 papers were transfered to/used for the November 2020 examinations in Autumn.
More about OCR Maths Series J560
The OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) examinations aim to “promote educational excellence and high-quality learning”. It contains non-wordy
questions.
Higher past papers from other exam boards
Edexcel: 1MA1 spec A
AQA: series 8300
Disclaimer: Sharon works hard to ensure that she delivers her very best teaching to all of her tutees. However, examination results and success cannot be guaranteed as they are dependent on multiple factors.
