Amended question paper layout for GCSE History

As part of our accessibility principles, we're improving the question paper layout for the following qualifications:

• GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) – J410
• GCSE History B (Schools History Project) – J411

We’re making the following changes:

• Sources and interpretations will appear directly beneath its corresponding question.
• Sources and interpretations which are texts, rather than images, will be shown inside a box.
• Details of where and when the extract was originally published will be shown above its corresponding source or interpretation. 

These changes apply to assessments taking place from the June 2024 exam series onwards.

Amended sample assessment material (SAM)

To reflect these changes to the question paper layout, we’ve amended the following sample question papers as examples:

• GCSE History A J410/02 – sample question paper  
• GCSE History B J411/39 – sample question paper 

You can view and download these examples from the Assessment > Exams > Sample assessment materials section on Teach Cambridge.

You can also view the examples in the Assessment > Sample assessment materials section of the GCSE History A and GCSE History B qualification pages on our website.

Please share the examples of the new question paper layout with your students.

If you have any queries about this update, please contact the History Subject Team on 01223 553998 or email us at history@ocr.org.uk.

Qualifications

• History A (Explaining the Modern World) (9-1) - J410 (from 2016)
• History B (Schools History Project) (9-1) - J411 (from 2016)