OCR GCSE Biology (J247 Gateway Science): papers, marks and grade boundaries
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OCR GCSE Biology at a glance
OCR has two GCSE biology specifications: Biology A (Gateway Science, J247) and Biology B (Twenty First Century Science, J257). This guide covers Biology A. It is linear, so all the papers are sat in the May and June series at the end of the course, and you are entered for Foundation or Higher tier.
| Tier | Paper | Marks | Time | Content | Share of GCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Paper 1 (J247/01) | 90 | 1 h 45 min | B1 to B3 and B7 | 50% |
| Foundation | Paper 2 (J247/02) | 90 | 1 h 45 min | B4 to B6 and B7 | 50% |
| Higher | Paper 3 (J247/03) | 90 | 1 h 45 min | B1 to B3 and B7 | 50% |
| Higher | Paper 4 (J247/04) | 90 | 1 h 45 min | B4 to B6 and B7 | 50% |
Foundation papers lead to grades 5 to 1 and Higher papers to grades 9 to 4. Papers 2 and 4 add synoptic questions and build on B1 to B3.
What the papers cover
- B1 Cell level systems: cell structures, what happens in cells and what they need, respiration and photosynthesis.
- B2 Scaling up: supplying the cell and the challenges of size.
- B3 Organism level systems: the nervous system, the endocrine system and maintaining internal environments.
- B4 Community level systems: ecosystems.
- B5 Genes, inheritance and selection: inheritance, natural selection and evolution.
- B6 Global challenges: monitoring and maintaining the environment, feeding the human race, and monitoring and maintaining health.
- B7 Practical skills: the practical skills that make up 15% of the marks, tested through both papers.
In every paper the first 15 marks are multiple choice. The other 75 are written, and one of those questions is worth six marks and is marked by level of response, so a linked line of reasoning counts for more than a list of points.
Calculator and maths in OCR GCSE Biology
OCR permits a scientific or graphical calculator in all four papers, subject to the JCQ rules. Typical maths skills are percentages, ratios, magnification, rates from a graph, means and probability. Always write the formula, substitute and give units.
Worked examples in OCR style
Microscopy: magnification
A plant cell appears 45 mm wide in a photomicrograph. Its real width is 0.09 mm.
Make sure both lengths are in the same unit before dividing. Check the size of the answer too: a light microscope usually magnifies up to a few hundred times.
Scaling up: surface area to volume ratio
Compare a cube of side 2 cm with one of side 4 cm. Surface area is 6 × side², and volume is side³.
| Side | Surface area | Volume | Surface area : volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cm | 24 cm² | 8 cm³ | 3 : 1 |
| 4 cm | 96 cm² | 64 cm³ | 1.5 : 1 |
As the cube doubles in size the ratio halves. That is why large organisms need exchange surfaces and transport systems, such as lungs and a circulatory system. Practise this in our Cell Biology course:
Work out the surface area, volume or surface area to volume ratio of a cube-shaped cell.
Press Mark to have your answer marked in the Cell Biology course.
Genetics: a monohybrid cross
Two heterozygous parents (Bb) each produce gametes B and b. The cross gives BB, Bb, Bb and bb, so the probability that a child has the recessive phenotype (bb) is 1 in 4, or 25%. Show the gametes, the cross and the final probability, since each step is a mark.
Extended response: the six mark question
A level of response question, such as "Evaluate the use of stem cells in medicine", is marked on a clear, balanced and linked answer. Give benefits and risks, use the information in the question, and finish with a judgement. Writing a list of facts with no link usually stays in the lowest level.
Grades and June 2026 grade boundaries
OCR adds your two paper marks into a total out of 180 and compares it with the boundaries for your tier. These tables are from OCR’s document published on 25 September 2026 for the June 2026 series. They change every year.
Higher tier boundaries
| Grade | Paper 3 (90) | Paper 4 (90) | Overall (180) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 74 | 67 | 141 |
| 8 | 69 | 62 | 131 |
| 7 | 65 | 56 | 121 |
| 6 | 56 | 47 | 103 |
| 5 | 47 | 39 | 86 |
| 4 | 39 | 30 | 69 |
| 3 | 34 | 26 | 60 |
Foundation tier boundaries
| Grade | Paper 1 (90) | Paper 2 (90) | Overall (180) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 57 | 55 | 112 |
| 4 | 46 | 47 | 93 |
| 3 | 34 | 34 | 68 |
| 2 | 22 | 21 | 43 |
| 1 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
Worked through: a Higher student with 66 and 59 marks has 125 out of 180, which is above the grade 7 boundary of 121 and 6 marks short of grade 8 (131).
Using the daily paper as a short timed mock
Free daily papers are available on both the Biology Foundation and Biology Higher tracks, with a fresh set each day: 8 questions, 25 to 35 marks, marked as soon as you finish. They are not OCR papers and are much shorter than the real 90 marks, so use them for short bursts on cells, genetics or ecology.
- Foundation covers: cells and microscopy, inheritance, the heart and blood, photosynthesis, ecosystems, digestion, health and disease, human impact and respiration.
- Higher covers: homeostasis and hormones, genetics, the nervous system, communicable diseases, enzymes, ecology, photosynthesis, cell transport, circulation, evolution, respiration and cell division.
For more on mocks, see our GCSE mocks guide, the GCSE Biology guide and the GCSE Biology mock paper page.
Exam answers
Uni-Sine does not publish official answers or mark schemes for OCR GCSE Biology papers. The answers and a worked mark scheme for each question come with today’s paper once you have submitted it and it has been marked, so you can see where every mark was won or lost.
Common mistakes in OCR GCSE Biology
- Mixing up diffusion, osmosis and active transport. Say what moves, in which direction and whether energy is needed.
- Not using the data. If a graph or table is given, quote values from it.
- Writing "it" for everything. Name the structure or the process.
- Magnification slips. Check the units and which of image and real size goes on top.
- Short answers to the six mark question. Plan a few linked points in order, with a conclusion.
Common questions
Which OCR biology course is this?
How many biology papers are there?
Do I get a calculator in biology?
What were the OCR GCSE Biology A Higher grade boundaries in June 2026?
What is the six mark question?
Revision cards
Say the answer first, then flip the card to check it.
Where to go next
- Solve it
Magnification Calculator
Link image size, actual size and magnification across units
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Cell Biology
The fundamental unit of life: organelles, membranes and how cells work
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GCSE Biology Foundation
A new exam-style paper every day, with instant marking and a mark scheme
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UK · GCSEOCR GCSE Biology grade boundaries 2025: every gradeOCR GCSE Biology June 2025 boundaries for Gateway A and Twenty First Century B, Higher and Foundation, with 2024 for comparison.