GATEWAY-SCIENCE-CHEMISTRY-A-J248 · Cambridge OCR GCSE (9–1)
GATEWAY-SCIENCE-CHEMISTRY-A-J248/31
(Higher Tier) - Topics C1-C3 and C7
Gateway Science Chemistry A · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
180
210 min
Organic Chemistry and Polymerisation
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers.
Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond models.
Paper 2 & 4 (assessing C4-C6 and global challenges) tested rates of reaction in great depth, requiring exact tangent constructions and evaluations of experimental variables alongside complex organic polymerisation concepts.
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.
AO1 - Knowledge w
Weight: 4100%Knowledge & AO2 -
Weight: 375%ApplicationAO3 -
Weight: 250%Experimental
Weight: 125%
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. 86% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 78% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 71% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 59% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 32% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Predict” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Organic chemistry
25 marks this session
Predicting chemical reactions
22 marks this session
Bonding
20 marks this session
Introducing chemical reactions
18 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
Introducing chemical reactions
Organic chemistry
Bonding
Predicting chemical reactions
Improving processes and products
Purity and separating mixtures
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): J248/04:
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
Organic chemistry
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPredicting chemical reactions
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBonding
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIntroducing chemical reactions
18 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 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers.
- 2Message
Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond models.
- 3Message
Paper 2 & 4 (assessing C4-C6 and global challenges) tested rates of reaction in great depth, requiring exact tangent constructions and evaluations of experimental variables alongside complex organic polymerisation concepts.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Gateway Science Chemistry A
The June 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers. Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond mo
The June 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers.
Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond models.
Paper 2 & 4 (assessing C4-C6 and global challenges) tested rates of reaction in great depth, requiring exact tangent constructions and evaluations of experimental variables alongside complex organic polymerisation concepts.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers. Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond models. Paper 2 & 4 (assessing C4-C6 and global challenges) tested rates of reaction in great depth, requiring exact tangent constructions and evaluations of experimental variables alongside complex organic polymerisation concepts.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 3 (Higher Tier): J248/04:
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.
72% 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/Short Answer
126·52·70%
Multiple Choice Questions
30·30·17%
Extended Response
(Level of Response)
24·4·13%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Industrial Electrolysis of Brine/Aluminium
85%85%
Le Chatelier's Principle & Reaction Yield
78%78%
Overall J248 Paper Analysis
The June 2024 OCR J248 series proved to be a highly fair yet discriminating set of papers. Paper 1 & 3 (covering C1-C3) placed strong emphasis on atomic structures, quantitative calculations (including significant-figure constraints and limiting reagents), and fundamental bond models. Paper 2 & 4 (assessing C4-C6 and global challenges) tested rates of reaction in great depth, requiring exact tangent constructions and evaluations of experimental variables alongside complex organic polymerisation concepts.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Universal Indicator in Titrations: Standard titrations require a sharp, single-step colour change. Suggesting universal indicator instead of methyl orange or phenolphthalein was a common mistake that immediately invalidated method marks.
- Graphing Faults: Plotting points accurately and drawing single, smooth curves of best fit remains a challenge. Many students lose marks for 'feathering' lines, drawing double lines, or resorting to dot-to-dot connections.
- Rate Tangents: In Higher Tier Paper 4, constructing a tangent line at exactly 60 60 60 seconds to calculate the rate of reaction was a major discriminator. Many students either calculated average rate instead of the instantaneous rate or drew inaccurate tangents.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Structured / Mathematical Calculation, Structured / Descriptive Short-Answer, Extended Response (* - Level of Response)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.