A Level Classical Greek Topics: Full List

A Level Classical Greek – currently only offered by OCR (opens in a new tab) – splits its topics across unseen translation, prose composition or comprehension, prose literature and verse literature.

This article includes an official and complete breakdown of the topics you need to revise for A Level Classical Greek. We’ll also explain how to use topic lists for effective revision.

Key Takeaways

• OCR is the only exam board currently offering A Level Classical Greek

• Topics are split across unseen translation, prose composition or comprehension, prose literature and verse literature

• Use topic lists to create a revision plan and organise your notes

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Although subject content often overlaps across exam boards, each exam board has a different syllabus. This means that the same subject can be taught very differently in one exam board compared to another, with varying topics, skills and assessment methods.

Knowing exactly which topics your exam board covers means you can create a focused revision plan. You won't waste time studying content that won't be tested, and you'll know exactly what to expect when it comes to exams.

Only OCR currently offers A Level Classical Greek, so if you’re studying this qualification, OCR is your exam board. Fortunately, only having one exam board makes it much easier to work out what you need to revise!

OCR A Level Classical Greek Topics (H444)

Unseen Translation (Component 01) and Prose Composition or Comprehension (Component 02)

• Accidence and syntax

• Vocabulary and linguistic structures

• Unseen prose and verse

Prose Literature (Component 03) and Verse Literature (Component 04)

• Set texts

• Literary, social, cultural and historical contexts

• Literary techniques, characterisation, strength of argument and literary meaning

The table below shows the current content and set texts you’ll cover for each A Level Classical Greek component:

Set texts change every few years, so double check the latest specification to make sure you are revising the right content.

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

Create a revision plan

Print or write out your topics into a checklist. Use the traffic light system (opens in a new tab) to prioritise weaker areas, and tick each area off as you revise. Seeing progress is really motivating, and it stops you from accidentally skipping anything important.

Organise your notes and flashcards by topic

Separating your notes and flashcards according to topic will make it much easier to find information quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise all A Level Classical Greek topics for the exam?

All components are compulsory. You’ll need to revise unseen translation, prose composition or comprehension, and prose and verse literature for the relevant components.

Are these topics the same across all exam boards?

OCR is the only exam board currently offering A Level Classical Greek.

If other exam boards offer A Level Classical Greek in the future, the content will overlap, but specifications and exam formats will remain distinct.

How do I know which topics I struggle with most?

Look at which topics you tend to get the lowest marks on in mock exams or past paper questions. Prioritise revising the areas where you’re least confident using the traffic light system.

Do all topics come up in every exam paper?

No, as each component has its own distinct set texts and content.

You will, however, be expected to draw on your knowledge and understanding of the links between language and literature, so treat each component as an assessment of similar skills.

Final Thoughts

Using topic lists to structure your A Level Classical Greek revision means you'll know exactly what to study, and how to allocate your time between each area.

Bookmark or print this page, and use it as your roadmap. Work through each topic or area, tick it off as you go, practise answering past paper questions, and persevere to improve your knowledge and skills for your four components.

References

• How to Use the Traffic Light System to Improve Your Marks (opens in a new tab)

• OCR A Level Classical Greek (opens in a new tab)