OCR A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics: Complete Course Suite Now Available
OCR A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics: Complete Course Suite Now Available
LearningBro now offers complete coverage of all three OCR A-Level Sciences. Whether you are studying Biology A (H420), Chemistry A (H432) or Physics A (H556), every module of the specification is now available in interactive course form, with timed practice exams, spaced repetition flashcards and detailed lesson content for every topic.
This brings LearningBro to full coverage across all three major UK exam boards — AQA, Edexcel and OCR — for A-Level Sciences. Whichever board your school teaches, you can find courses written specifically for your specification.
Why OCR A-Level Sciences?
OCR is one of the three main UK awarding bodies for A-Level qualifications, alongside AQA and Edexcel. Each board has its own specification, structure and emphasis, and exam questions are written specifically to match. Revising from generic resources — or worse, resources written for the wrong exam board — leaves marks on the table.
OCR A-Level Sciences are widely regarded as rigorous, traditional specifications that suit students who want a deep, classical scientific education. The Biology A specification follows a clear modular structure built around concepts. The Chemistry A specification has a strong emphasis on physical chemistry and quantitative analysis. The Physics A specification is unique among UK boards in including a complete medical imaging module — covering X-rays, CT scanning, ultrasound and PET scanning — content that no other A-Level Physics specification offers.
If your school teaches any of these specifications, you need resources written for OCR. Generic revision guides are not enough.
OCR A-Level Biology A (H420)
The OCR Biology A specification is divided into six modules, assessed across three written papers:
| Component | Title | Duration | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Biological Processes | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 2 | Biological Diversity | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 3 | Unified Biology | 1h 30m | 70 | 26% |
The six modules span everything from cell biology and biochemistry through to ecosystems, gene regulation and biotechnology. The full coverage on LearningBro includes:
- Cell Structure and Microscopy — light, TEM, SEM and confocal microscopy, magnification and resolution, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell ultrastructure, the cytoskeleton, protein production and secretion
- Biological Molecules — water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, inorganic ions, biochemical tests
- Nucleic Acids and Enzymes — DNA, RNA, replication, transcription, translation, ATP, enzyme action and inhibition
- Membranes, Cell Division and Cellular Organisation — fluid mosaic model, transport, mitosis, meiosis, stem cells
- Exchange and Transport — gas exchange in mammals, insects and fish, mammalian heart, haemoglobin, transport in plants
- Communicable Diseases and Immunity — named pathogens, plant defences, immune response, antibodies, vaccination
- Biodiversity, Classification and Evolution — sampling, Simpson's Index, Three Domain system, evidence for evolution
- Communication, Homeostasis and Excretion — feedback systems, thermoregulation, liver, kidney, osmoregulation
- Neuronal and Hormonal Communication — action potentials, synapses, blood glucose control, plant hormones
- Photosynthesis and Respiration — light-dependent and light-independent stages, glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation
- Genetics, Cellular Control and Inheritance — gene mutations, lac operon, dihybrid crosses, chi-squared test, Hardy-Weinberg
- Manipulating Genomes, Cloning, Biotechnology and Ecosystems — DNA profiling, genetic engineering, immobilised enzymes, nutrient cycles
Every course includes detailed lessons with diagrams, comparison tables, exam tips, and worked examples — plus 10 multiple-choice questions per lesson for self-testing.
OCR A-Level Chemistry A (H432)
OCR Chemistry A is also six modules across three papers:
| Component | Title | Duration | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Periodic Table, Elements and Physical Chemistry | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 2 | Synthesis and Analytical Techniques | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 3 | Unified Chemistry | 1h 30m | 70 | 26% |
The OCR Chemistry specification has several distinctive features that set it apart from AQA and Edexcel. Some content points unique to OCR include:
- Friedel-Crafts alkylation AND acylation — both reactions are required (AQA only requires acylation)
- Directing effects — students must know that OH and NH₂ are 2,4-directing while NO₂ is 3-directing
- Lattice enthalpy formation convention — OCR uses the formation convention (always negative/exothermic), whereas AQA uses the dissociation convention
- D₂O exchange in NMR — explicitly required for identifying labile O-H and N-H protons
- Ideal gas equation in Module 2 — pV = nRT is taught early as part of AS-level content
The 11 LearningBro courses cover every part of the specification, from atomic structure and bonding through to organic synthesis and spectroscopy. Topics include atoms and the mole, acids and redox, periodicity, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, transition elements, aromatic chemistry, carbonyls, polymers, NMR and chromatography.
OCR A-Level Physics A (H556)
OCR Physics A has the same three-paper structure:
| Component | Title | Duration | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Modelling Physics | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 2 | Exploring Physics | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% |
| Paper 3 | Unified Physics | 1h 30m | 70 | 26% |
Several content areas in OCR Physics are unique among UK A-Level specifications:
- Medical Imaging (Module 6.5) — X-ray imaging, CT scanning, ultrasound (including A-scan, B-scan, Doppler) and PET scanning. Neither AQA nor Edexcel cover medical imaging in their core specifications.
- Malus's Law — I = I₀ cos²θ for polarised light intensity is explicitly required
- Velocity selector — v = E/B for crossed electric and magnetic fields
- Capacitance of an isolated sphere — C = 4πε₀R, not in AQA
- Compulsory astrophysics — In OCR, astrophysics and cosmology are core content (Module 5.5), whereas in AQA they are an optional topic
The 11 courses cover foundations, motion and forces, Newton's laws and momentum, electricity and circuits, waves and optics, quantum physics, thermal physics, circular motion and gravitational fields, astrophysics and cosmology, capacitors and electromagnetism, and the unique nuclear, particle and medical physics module.
What's Included in Every Course
Every OCR A-Level Science course on LearningBro includes:
- 10–14 detailed lessons per course, each one focused on a specific specification point
- Mermaid diagrams for processes, hierarchies and decision trees
- Comparison tables for related concepts
- Worked examples with full solutions
- Exam tips in every lesson
- Common exam mistakes sections
- 10 multiple-choice questions per lesson for self-testing
- Built-in spaced repetition so material returns when you are about to forget it
- Timed practice exams for full exam-condition practice
The content is written in British English, references the OCR specification explicitly throughout, and is checked against the OCR awarding body documentation.
How to Get Started
If you are studying OCR A-Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics, the fastest way to start is to follow the learning path for your subject. Each path links the courses in specification order, so you can work through systematically from start to finish.
For students who already know which topic they need to focus on, you can browse individual courses by category and start at the lesson you need.
All OCR A-Level Science content is included in the standard LearningBro subscription, with a 7-day free trial — no payment details required to start.
Complete Three-Board Coverage
With OCR now live, LearningBro offers complete A-Level Sciences coverage across all three major UK exam boards:
- AQA — Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- Edexcel — Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- OCR — Biology, Chemistry and Physics (now)
Whichever board your school teaches, you can find content specifically aligned to your specification. No more revising from notes written for the wrong board.