GATEWAY-SCIENCE-CHEMISTRY-A-J248 · Cambridge OCR GCSE (9–1)
GATEWAY-SCIENCE-CHEMISTRY-A-J248/31
(Higher Tier) - Topics C1-C3 and C7
Gateway Science Chemistry A · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
180
210 min
Quantitative Stoichiometry and Calculation of Concentrations/Yields
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers.
The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis, and practical experimental design, placing it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 on our difficulty index.
In contrast, the Foundation Tier offered more guided, step-by-step pathways but still penalized candidates who glossed over critical vocabulary or failed to master fundamental stoichiometric calculations.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 7100%Recall & Understanding
Weight: 686%Scientific
Weight: 571%Practical & Experimental
Weight: 457%Analysis & Evaluation
Weight: 229%Evaluation
Weight: 114%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Not showing clear working out steps in multi-mark stoichiometry questions, resulting in loss of all method marks if the final value is incorrect.
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 79% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 68% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 57% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 24% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 18% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Introducing chemical reactions
40 marks this session
Improving processes and products
17 marks this session
Bonding
16 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Introducing chemical reactions
Organic chemistry
Bonding
Predicting chemical reactions
Improving processes and products
Purity and separating mixtures
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 3 (Higher Tier):
Paper 4 (Higher Tier):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Not showing clear working out steps in multi-mark stoichiometry questions, resulting in loss of all method marks if the final value is incorrect.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Introducing chemical reactions
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiImproving processes and products
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBonding
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers.
- 2Message
The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis, and practical experimental design, placing it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 on our difficulty index.
- 3Message
In contrast, the Foundation Tier offered more guided, step-by-step pathways but still penalized candidates who glossed over critical vocabulary or failed to master fundamental stoichiometric calculations.
- 4Method
Not showing clear working out steps in multi-mark stoichiometry questions, resulting in loss of all method marks if the final value is incorrect.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Gateway Science Chemistry A
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers. The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis,
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers.
The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis, and practical experimental design, placing it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 on our difficulty index.
In contrast, the Foundation Tier offered more guided, step-by-step pathways but still penalized candidates who glossed over critical vocabulary or failed to master fundamental stoichiometric calculations.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers. The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis, and practical experimental design, placing it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 on our difficulty index. In contrast, the Foundation Tier offered more guided, step-by-step pathways but still penalized candidates who glossed over critical vocabulary or failed to master fundamental stoichiometric calculations.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 3 (Higher Tier):
Paper 4 (Higher Tier):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
72% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
short_answer
74·40·41%
structured_calculation
64·16·36%
multiple_choice
30·30·17%
extended_response
12·2·7%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Section A (Multiple
1.00 m/minSection B (Quantita
0.84 m/minSection B (Level of
0.80 m/minTotal marks
80
Total time
90 min
Avg pace
0.89
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Electrolysis of Molten vs Aqueous Salts
90%90%
Transition Metal Properties and Trends
88%88%
Haber Process and Reversible Reactions Economics
85%85%
J248 Chemistry June 2022 Exam Series: Deep-Dive Analysis
The June 2022 J248 examination series for the OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Chemistry A specification presented a balanced yet highly demanding set of papers across both tiers. The Higher Tier (Papers 3 & 4) maintained a strong emphasis on mathematical competency, qualitative analysis, and practical experimental design, placing it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 on our difficulty index. In contrast, the Foundation Tier offered more guided, step-by-step pathways but still penalized candidates who glossed over critical vocabulary or failed to master fundamental stoichiometric calculations.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Structured / Mathematical Calculation, Structured / Descriptive Short-Answer, Extended Response (* - Level of Response)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.