OCR GCSE · Analysis & Prediction

2024 OCR GCSE Mathematics - J560 Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

A comprehensive evaluation of the J560 GCSE Mathematics June 2024 series across both Foundation and Higher tiers. This series tested students on a wide range of topics with a strong emphasis on multi-step reasoning, percentage change, non-calculator arithmetic, and geometric justification.

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

AnalysisSample paper
Difficulty 3.8/5
Total marks
300
Duration
270 mins
Most tested
—

Paper breakdown

Paper 4 (J560/04) Higher Tier - Calculator: 100 marks · 90 minsPaper 5 (J560/05) Higher Tier - Non-Calculator: 100 marks · 90 minsPaper 6 (J560/06) Higher Tier - Calculator: 100 marks · 90 mins

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

  • In best-value comparisons, failing to write down the final comparison statement despite calculating the unit costs correctly.
  • Underestimating compound interest by treating it as simple interest over multiple years.
  • Incorrectly expanding bracketed expressions when solving algebraic inequalities on a number line, leading to incorrect endpoints.
  • Failing to draw a straight line of best fit that passes through the centroid or within acceptable gate coordinates on scatter diagrams.

Misconceptions

  • Believing that a scale factor of 1/2 enlargement means dividing coordinates by 2 without considering the center of enlargement.
  • Confusing density as mass multiplied by volume, rather than mass divided by volume, when performing estimations.
  • Assuming that non-calculator percentages can be computed with simple linear addition of incorrect labels without shown operations.

Where marks are lost

  • Omitting the necessary angle reasons (such as 'alternate segment theorem' or 'angles on a straight line') when requested to justify steps.
  • Truncating intermediate decimals too early in multi-step trigonometry questions, which compounds inaccuracies in the final answer.
  • Not representing inequalities on a number line with the correct open (hollow) or closed (solid) circles.

Estimated grade boundary

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Source: OCR
GradeMarkPercentage
9245/30082%
8195/30065%
7145/30048%
6110/30037%
576/30025%
442/30014%
325/3008%
Official grade boundaries published by OCR.

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