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J351 · ocr-j351-v1, awaiting sign-off
GCSE English Language
Cambridge OCR
No set texts anywhere: every examination text is unseen, so the whole specification sits inside the copyright-cleared source policy. The 19th century text is always NON-FICTION and only appears in Component 01; Component 02 never contains one. Drama and poetry are excluded entirely. AO6 carries 20 per cent here against 5 per cent at J352. Unlike J352 there is a November series for post-16 learners. The spoken language endorsement is compulsory but reported separately and does not affect the GCSE grade.
Component 01: Communicating information and ideas
Section A: Reading information and ideas (40 marks)
All questions compulsory. Two unseen non-fiction texts, one always 19th century. Four questions, two lower and two higher tariff
Section B: Writing for audience, impact and purpose (40 marks)
One task from two, thematically linked to the reading texts. AO6 assessed here
Component 02: Exploring effects and impact
Section A: Reading meaning and effects (40 marks)
All questions compulsory. Two unseen 20th or 21st century prose texts, one may be literary non-fiction. Never a 19th century text
Section B: Writing imaginatively and creatively (40 marks)
One task from two, thematically linked to the reading texts. AO6 assessed here
Spoken language endorsement (03 or 04)
Spoken language presentation and response
Compulsory NEA. Graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and reported separately. Contributes nothing to the GCSE grade. Sample due 15 May