OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) specification (J260)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) 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 Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) (J260) 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 GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) encourages learners to explore Biology, Chemistry, and Physics using a narrative-based approach that places scientific ideas in real-life contexts. The course aims to build scientific knowledge, conceptual understanding, and practical skills while promoting critical thinking and evaluation of scientific evidence. It fosters curiosity about the natural world, emphasises the societal impact of science, and prepares learners for informed decision-making. The qualification promotes the development of scientific enquiry, problem-solving abilities, and competence in practical investigations, ensuring learners are equipped to assess scientific claims and understand key scientific concepts relevant to everyday life:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
Biology
- B1 You and your genes – The genome, inheritance, gene technology.
- B2 Keeping healthy – Causes of disease, immune response, preventing infection, lifestyle factors, disease treatment.
- B3 Living together – food and ecosystems – Photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition, interdependence, population dynamics.
- B4 Using food and controlling growth – Respiration, cell structures, growth and development, stem cells.
- B5 The human body – staying alive – Transport systems, nervous system, hormones, homeostasis, reproduction, organ failure.
- B6 Life on Earth – past, present and future – Evolution, classification, biodiversity, conservation.
Chemistry
- C1 Air and water – Atmospheric changes, chemical reactions, climate change, potable water.
- C2 Chemical patterns – Atomic theory, Periodic Table, bonding, reaction equations.
- C3 Chemicals of the natural environment – Metal bonding, extraction, electrolysis, crude oil uses.
- C4 Material choices – Materials selection, structure-property relationships, nanoparticles, lifecycle.
- C5 Chemical analysis – Separation techniques, reaction quantities, solutions.
- C6 Making useful chemicals – Acids, reaction rates, yields, equilibrium.
Physics
- P1 Radiation and waves – Radiation risks and benefits, climate change, wave behaviour.
- P2 Sustainable energy – Energy usage, electricity generation.
- P3 Electric circuits – Current, circuits, energy transfer, magnetism, motors.
- P4 Explaining motion – Forces, motion description, energy and motion.
- P5 Radioactive materials – Radioactivity, safety, uses.
- P6 Matter – models and explanations – Energy and matter, heating effects, material stress.
Ideas about Science (BCP7) – Scientific enquiry, data interpretation, theory development, societal impact.
Practical Skills (BCP8) – Embedded across content, focusing on experimental design, observation, analysis, and evaluation:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Foundation Tier (Grades 1–1 to 5–5)
- Paper 1: Biology (J260/01) – 1h 45m, 95 marks, assesses B1–B6 and BCP7–8 (26.4%).
- Paper 2: Chemistry (J260/02) – 1h 45m, 95 marks, assesses C1–C6 and BCP7–8 (26.4%).
- Paper 3: Physics (J260/03) – 1h 45m, 95 marks, assesses P1–P6 and BCP7–8 (26.4%).
- Paper 4: Combined Science (J260/04) – 1h 45m, 75 marks, assesses all content (20.8%).
Higher Tier (Grades 4–4 to 9–9)
- Paper 5: Biology (J260/05) – 1h 45m, 95 marks (26.4%).
- Paper 6: Chemistry (J260/06) – 1h 45m, 95 marks (26.4%).
- Paper 7: Physics (J260/07) – 1h 45m, 95 marks (26.4%).
Paper 8: Combined Science (J260/08) – 1h 45m, 75 marks (20.8%).
- All papers are written exams with a mix of multiple-choice, structured, short-answer, and extended response questions.
- Practical skills assessed through written papers; no separate coursework.
- Synoptic assessment and extended responses included across all tiers.
- Assessment Objectives:
- AO1 Knowledge with understanding – 40%
- AO2 Application of knowledge – 40%
- AO3 Analysis and evaluation – 20%
- Mathematical skills are embedded across assessments.
- Total qualification time allocated for assessment is 360 guided learning hours:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) 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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