OCR GCSE History A exam papers and weighting (J410)
Guide overview All 14 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR GCSE History A paper assesses
OCR GCSE History A, Explaining the Modern World (specification J410), is assessed by three written papers. The first, worth 50%, pairs the compulsory period study of international relations 1918–1975 with one of five non-British depth studies; the second, worth 25%, is one of three British thematic studies; the third, worth 25%, is the British depth study and historic environment linked to that thematic study. A student sits five of the fourteen topics banked here.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Period study with non-British depth study |
International Relations: The Changing International Order 1918–1975 China 1950–1981: The People and the State Germany 1925–1955: The People and the State South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State The USA 1919–1948: The People and the State The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State |
1 hour 45 minutes | 105 marks | 50% |
|
Paper 2 British thematic study |
Migration to Britain C.1000 to C.2010 Power: Monarchy and Democracy in Britain C.1000 to 2014 War and British Society C.790 to C.2010 |
1 hour | 50 marks | 25% |
|
Paper 3 British depth study with a study of the historic environment |
The Impact of Empire on Britain 1688–c.1730 The English Reformation C.1520–c.1550 Personal Rule to Restoration 1629–1660 Urban Environments: Patterns of Migration Castles: Form and Function C.1000–1750 |
1 hour 15 minutes | 55 marks | 25% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Castles: Form and Function C.1000-1750 | Paper 3 | 70 |
| China 1950-1981: the People and the State | Paper 1 | 82 |
| Germany 1925-1955: the People and the State | Paper 1 | 102 |
| International Relations: the Changing International Order 1918-1975 | Paper 1 | 105 |
| Migration to Britain C.1000 to C.2010 | Paper 2 | 156 |
| Personal Rule to Restoration 1629-1660 | Paper 3 | 80 |
| Power: Monarchy and Democracy in Britain C.1000 to 2014 | Paper 2 | 123 |
| South Africa 1960-1994: the People and the State | Paper 1 | 93 |
| The English Reformation C.1520-c.1550 | Paper 3 | 82 |
| The Impact of Empire on Britain 1688-C.1730 | Paper 3 | 80 |
| The USA 1919-1948: the People and the State | Paper 1 | 113 |
| The USA 1945-1974: the People and the State | Paper 1 | 103 |
| Urban Environments: Patterns of Migration | Paper 3 | 141 |
| War and British Society C.790 to C.2010 | Paper 2 | 119 |
Assessment details from the OCR GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World) J410, version 1.9, January 2026. OCR specification.
OCR GCSE History A Active Recall Guide
1,449 questions across every paper on the specification.