AQA vs OCR GCSE Maths: What Are the Differences?

AQA and OCR both examine the same Ofqual-mandated GCSE maths content, so no board is inherently harder. The real differences lie in paper structure, question style, and how many past papers your child can practise with — all of which affect day-to-day revision strategy.

How are the two specifications structured?

Both AQA (specification code 8300) and OCR (specification code J560) assess GCSE maths across three papers sat at the end of Year 11. Students take either Foundation tier (targeting grades 1–5) or Higher tier (targeting grades 4–9), and they must enter the same tier for all three papers.

The content covered — number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability, and statistics — is identical across every GCSE maths specification because Ofqual sets a national subject content document that all awarding bodies must follow. Switching your child's school from AQA to OCR would not change what your child needs to learn.

How do the papers compare side by side?

The most visible difference between the two boards is the mark allocation per paper.

Feature | AQA 8300 | OCR J560
Number of papers | 3 | 3
Paper 1 | Non-calculator, 80 marks, 1h 30m | Non-calculator, 100 marks, 1h 30m
Paper 2 | Calculator, 80 marks, 1h 30m | Calculator, 100 marks, 1h 30m
Paper 3 | Calculator, 80 marks, 1h 30m | Calculator, 100 marks, 1h 30m
Total marks | 240 | 300
Tiers | Foundation (1–5) and Higher (4–9) | Foundation (1–5) and Higher (4–9)
Awarding body | AQA | OCR

OCR uses a higher raw mark total (300 vs 240), but this does not make the exam harder or easier — grade boundaries are calibrated to the total marks available after each examination series.

Does question style differ between AQA and OCR?

Yes, and this matters more than mark totals for day-to-day revision.

AQA is widely known for contextual, narrative problem-solving questions. A Higher tier problem might describe a real-world scenario — estimating the volume of water in a lake, or comparing mobile phone tariffs — and require students to identify which mathematical technique applies before they can even begin calculating. This rewards students who can read carefully and think independently.

OCR tends to use more scaffolded, structured questions. Multi-part questions often guide students step by step through a problem, with each part building on the last. Students who find open-ended questions unsettling sometimes find OCR's style less intimidating, because the question itself provides more structure.

Neither style is objectively harder; they suit different learners. If your child's school follows AQA, ensure your child practises interpreting wordy questions. If they sit OCR, make sure they can follow multi-step logical chains without losing track.

Which board has more past papers available?

AQA currently has a larger bank of past papers, largely because it has been the largest GCSE maths awarding body in England for longer. For schools or tutors focused on volume of timed practice material, this is a practical advantage.

OCR introduced its current J560 specification at the same time as AQA introduced 8300 — both were part of the reformed 9–1 GCSE system introduced in 2017. So the difference in past-paper depth narrows every year as new series are published.

Both boards publish their past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports freely on their websites. Examiner reports in particular are worth reading: they explain which questions students nationally found hardest and why, giving targeted insight into common mistakes.

How are grades awarded — is one board more generous?

Neither board is more generous. Ofqual's comparable outcomes policy means that, across all GCSE subjects including maths, the national distribution of grades should remain broadly stable from year to year and consistent between awarding bodies. Grade boundaries are set after each exam series, once student performance data is available.

In practice, a student who sits AQA and a student who sits OCR and who have the same underlying mathematical ability should receive the same grade. Parents sometimes hear that "OCR is easier" or "AQA is tougher," but these claims are not supported by the comparable outcomes framework.

Does it matter which board my child's school uses?

For most purposes, no. Both qualifications are equally recognised by sixth forms, colleges, universities, and employers. A grade 5 in AQA maths and a grade 5 in OCR maths are treated identically on a UCAS application or a job application.

The only scenario where it matters is revision resources: ensure any revision guide, workbook, or website your child uses specifies that it covers their board's specification. Many popular revision books cover both, or state clearly on the cover which specification they follow.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child switch between AQA and OCR GCSE maths?

Switching boards is a school-level decision, not an individual student decision — the school enters all students for one board. If your child moves schools between Year 10 and Year 11, confirm with the new school which board they sit, so you can update any revision materials accordingly.

Is OCR J560 harder than AQA 8300?

Neither specification is objectively harder than the other. Ofqual's comparable outcomes policy ensures that grade distributions remain consistent between boards. The real difference is question style: AQA favours open-ended contextual problems, while OCR uses more scaffolded, structured multi-part questions.

Where can I find OCR and AQA GCSE maths past papers?

Both boards publish past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports on their official websites. AQA papers are available at aqa.org.uk and OCR papers at ocr.org.uk. BBC Bitesize also signposts past papers for both boards via its GCSE maths section.

Does a tutor need to know which board my child sits?

Yes, it is worth telling any tutor — including an AI tutor — which board your child's school uses. While the core content is the same, practising with the correct board's question style and paper format is important, particularly in Year 11 when past-paper technique matters most.

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