OCR A-Level Media Studies exam papers and weighting (H409)
Guide overview All 10 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Media Studies paper assesses
OCR A-Level Media Studies (specification H409) is two written papers of two hours and 70 marks each, plus a non-examined production worth the remaining 30%. The course is built on the media theoretical framework — media language, representations, industries and audiences — together with the social, cultural, political, economic and historical contexts, and those are applied to a list of set products OCR publishes and periodically changes. This guide is cut by the framework rather than by product, so it holds whichever set texts your centre chose: every music video and every long form drama on OCR's lists has its own page.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component 01 Media messages |
News, Online and Participatory Media Advertising, Marketing and Magazines Music Video |
2 hours | 70 marks | 35% |
|
Component 02 Evolving media |
Film, Radio and Video Games Long Form Television Drama |
2 hours | 70 marks | 35% |
|
Components 03/04 Making media |
Non-examination assessment | 60 marks | 30% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Component | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contexts of Media | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 139 |
| Media Language | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 233 |
| Media Representations | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 237 |
| Media Industries | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 214 |
| Media Audiences | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 235 |
| News, Online and Participatory Media | The media theoretical framework, examined on both papers | Component 01, Component 02 | 195 |
| Advertising, Marketing and Magazines | Component 01: Media messages | Component 01 | 194 |
| Music Video | Component 01: Media messages | Component 01 | 151 |
| Film, Radio and Video Games | Component 02: Evolving media | Component 02 | 209 |
| Long Form Television Drama | Component 02: Evolving media | Component 02 | 179 |
Assessment details from the Cambridge OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Media Studies H409, version 3.0. First teaching 2023, first assessment 2025. OCR specification.
OCR A-Level Media Studies Active Recall Guide
1,986 questions across every paper on the specification.