OCR GCSE Latin Past Papers & Mark Schemes

OCR GCSE Latin (specification code J282) develops the ability to read and understand Latin, analyse Roman literature, and engage with the cultural world of ancient Rome. The qualification is assessed through two written papers — Language and Literature and Culture — with no coursework or oral component. Component 01 — Language — is a 1 hour 30 minute examination worth 50% of the total qualification. It tests the ability to translate passages of Latin into English, answer comprehension questions on adapted prose, and demonstrate understanding of Latin grammar and syntax. Students work from a defined vocabulary list of approximately 450 words; no dictionary is provided. The paper includes both short adapted passages and a longer continuous passage for translation. Component 02 — Literature and Culture — lasts 1 hour and is worth 50%. Students study prescribed texts in the original Latin, selecting either prose or verse options (or a combination) from the set-text anthology. Questions test comprehension of content, appreciation of literary style and technique, and understanding of the cultural and historical context. Students must be able to explain how Roman authors achieve their effects through language, structure, and rhetorical devices. Both papers are externally assessed. Grading follows the standard 9–1 scale, and there is no tiered entry — all candidates sit the same papers.