GATEWAY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-A-J249 · Cambridge OCR GCSE (9–1)
GATEWAY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-A-J249/41
Higher Tier Paper 4 (Components C4-C6 and C8)
Gateway Science Physics A · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
180
210 min
Motion and Velocity-Time Graph Analysis
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification.
Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp.
Candidates sifting through the Higher Tier papers encountered several high-tariff calculation and multi-step interpretation questions, particularly around Motion and Wave behaviour, placing this year's papers at a solid 4 out of 5 stars on our difficulty index.
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
Weight: 8100%Graphical Analysis
Weight: 788%Experimental &
Weight: 563%Conceptual Scientific
Weight: 450%Scientific Diagrams
Weight: 225%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Failing to write down the intermediate substitution step before arriving at an incorrect numerical value, which prevents the award of method marks.
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. 82% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 75% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 68% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 58% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 47% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 37% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 31% 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.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Motion (Forces)
25 marks this session
Wave behaviour (Waves in matter)
20 marks this session
Simple circuits (Electricity)
18 marks this session
Powering Earth (Global challenges)
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)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
J249/03 Higher Tier -
Paper 3: J249/04 Higher Tier -
Paper 4:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to write down the intermediate substitution step before arriving at an incorrect numerical value, which prevents the award of method marks.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Motion (Forces)
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWave behaviour (Waves in matter)
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSimple circuits (Electricity)
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPowering Earth (Global challenges)
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 J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification.
- 2Message
Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp.
- 3Message
Candidates sifting through the Higher Tier papers encountered several high-tariff calculation and multi-step interpretation questions, particularly around Motion and Wave behaviour, placing this year's papers at a solid 4 out of 5 stars on our difficulty index.
- 4Method
Failing to write down the intermediate substitution step before arriving at an incorrect numerical value, which prevents the award of method marks.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Gateway Science Physics A
The J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification. Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp. Candidates sifting through the
The J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification.
Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp.
Candidates sifting through the Higher Tier papers encountered several high-tariff calculation and multi-step interpretation questions, particularly around Motion and Wave behaviour, placing this year's papers at a solid 4 out of 5 stars on our difficulty index.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification. Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp. Candidates sifting through the Higher Tier papers encountered several high-tariff calculation and multi-step interpretation questions, particularly around Motion and Wave behaviour, placing this year's papers at a solid 4 out of 5 stars on our difficulty index.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
J249/03 Higher Tier -
Paper 3: J249/04 Higher Tier -
Paper 4:
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.
Calculations
62·18·34%
Short Answer
52·24·29%
Extended Writing / Level of Response
36·4·20%
Multiple Choice
30·30·17%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 3 Section A (
0.75 m/minPaper 3 Section B (
0.88 m/minPaper 4 Section A (
0.75 m/minPaper 4 Section B (
0.88 m/minTotal marks
180
Total time
210 min
Avg pace
0.86
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.
Beyond Earth & Orbital Mechanics
90%90%
Static and Charge (Electricity)
85%85%
Pressure in Fluids & Hydraulics
75%75%
GCSE OCR Gateway Physics A (J249) 2024 Exam Analysis
The J249 2024 papers represent a robust and well-balanced assessment of the GCSE Physics specification. Testing a combination of mathematical manipulation, graphical interpretation, and experimental design, the papers demand a deep conceptual grasp. Candidates sifting through the Higher Tier papers encountered several high-tariff calculation and multi-step interpretation questions, particularly around Motion and Wave behaviour, placing this year's papers at a solid 4 out of 5 stars on our difficulty index.
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.