OCR GCSE Music specification (J536)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR GCSE Music exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official OCR GCSE Music specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official OCR GCSE Music (J536) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official OCR specification PDF.
Specification overview
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music offers a contemporary, creative and flexible musical education. The course encourages learners to develop as performers, composers and appraisers while engaging with a wide variety of music from diverse traditions and genres.
This qualification enables learners to: • develop fluency and control in solo and ensemble performance • create music freely and to a set brief, using a wide range of styles and resources • apply understanding of musical elements, contexts and language across genres • explore music personally and culturally through the Areas of Study • appreciate music from the Western tradition, global cultures and modern popular contexts
The specification promotes musical individuality and exploration, allowing learners to specialise in their own instrument or technology pathway while developing broader musical knowledge and skills:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
2b. Content of OCR GCSE (9–1) in Music (J536)
Musical elements
- Pitch, harmony, tonality, texture, structure, timbre, rhythm, dynamics, tempo
Musical contexts
- Cultural, historical and social influences
- Purpose, audience, venue, time and place
Musical language
- Staff notation, key and time signatures, chords, terminology
Perform
- Technical and expressive control via singing, playing, improvising or technology
Compose
- Develop and structure musical ideas using appropriate resources
Appraise
- Analyse, evaluate and critically judge music using aural perception and vocabulary
Areas of Study
- 1. My Music: Explore personal instrument/voice/technology, performance and composition
- 2. The Concerto Through Time: Baroque, Classical, Romantic concertos
- 3. Rhythms of the World: Music from India, Middle East, Africa, Latin America
- 4. Film Music: Original scores, classical repurposed music, video game music
- 5. Conventions of Pop: 1950s to present – Rock, Ballads, Solo Artists
Component Content
- Integrated Portfolio (01/02): Solo performance and free composition
- Practical Component (03/04): Ensemble performance and composition to OCR brief
- Listening and Appraising (05): Application of elements, contexts and language across Areas 2–5:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Integrated Portfolio (Component 01/02)
- 30% of GCSE
- Solo performance and composition to a learner-set brief
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
Practical Component (Component 03/04)
- 30% of GCSE
- Ensemble performance and composition to OCR-set brief
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
Listening and Appraising (Component 05)
- 40% of GCSE
- Written exam: 1h 30m
- Based on Areas of Study 2–5
- Includes aural analysis, score reading and comparison tasks
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Perform with technical control, expression and interpretation – 30%
- AO2: Compose and develop musical ideas – 30%
- AO3: Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge – 20%
- AO4: Appraise and critically evaluate music – 20%
Grading and Requirements
- GCSE graded 9–1
- Minimum 4 minutes total performance (1 min ensemble)
- Minimum 3 minutes total composition
- May carry forward NEA scores on resit:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR GCSE Music isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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