GATEWAY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-A-J249 · Cambridge OCR GCSE (9–1)
GATEWAY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-A-J249/31
Higher Tier Paper 3 (Components C1-C3 and C7)
Gateway Science Physics A · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.0 / 5
180
210 min
Powering Earth
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation.
With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust standard.
The difficulty verdict places this set at a solid 4 out of 5 for the Higher Tier.
Higher Tier candidates were faced with several demanding multi-step calculations and deep conceptual synoptic links, particularly in electromagnetism and orbital mechanics.
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%Practical & Experimental
Weight: 686%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 457%Graphical Interpretation
Weight: 229%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
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. 71% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 54% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 34% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 29% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Powering Earth (Global challenges)
21 marks this session
Uses of magnetism (Magnetism)
19 marks this session
Simple circuits (Electricity)
17 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
Simple circuits (Electricity)
Powering Earth (Global challenges)
Wave behaviour (Waves in matter)
Motion (Forces)
Uses of magnetism (Magnetism)
Radioactive emissions (Radioactivity)
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): J249/04
Paper 4 (Higher Tier):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Powering Earth (Global challenges)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiUses of magnetism (Magnetism)
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSimple circuits (Electricity)
17 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 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation.
- 2Message
With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust standard.
- 3Message
The difficulty verdict places this set at a solid 4 out of 5 for the Higher Tier.
- 4Message
Higher Tier candidates were faced with several demanding multi-step calculations and deep conceptual synoptic links, particularly in electromagnetism and orbital mechanics.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Gateway Science Physics A
The June 2022 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation. With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust
The June 2022 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation.
With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust standard.
The difficulty verdict places this set at a solid 4 out of 5 for the Higher Tier.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation. With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust standard. The difficulty verdict places this set at a solid 4 out of 5 for the Higher Tier. Higher Tier candidates were faced with several demanding multi-step calculations and deep conceptual synoptic links, particularly in electromagnetism and orbital mechanics.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 3 (Higher Tier): J249/04
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.
78% 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.
structured
138·14·77%
multipleChoice
30·30·17%
extendedResponse
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
0.75 m/minSection B (Structur
0.88 m/minTotal marks
180
Total time
210 min
Avg pace
0.86
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
The electromagnetic spectrum
85%85%
Uses and hazards of radioactivity
80%80%
Static and charge
70%70%
GCSE Physics J249 June 2022 Series Analysis
The June 2022 OCR Gateway Physics J249 papers represent a balanced and highly structured assessment that thoroughly tests both foundational recall and higher-tier algebraic manipulation. With a combined total of 180 marks across the paper pairs, the examination maintains a robust standard. The difficulty verdict places this set at a solid 4 out of 5 for the Higher Tier. Higher Tier candidates were faced with several demanding multi-step calculations and deep conceptual synoptic links, particularly in electromagnetism and orbital mechanics.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Calculations, Extended Writing / Level of Response
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.