OCR GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition Past Papers & Mark Schemes

OCR GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (specification code J309) combines scientific understanding of food with practical cooking skills. The qualification has three assessment components: one written examination and two pieces of non-exam assessment (NEA). Component 01 — Food and Nutrition — is a 90-minute written paper that accounts for half the overall grade. It tests theoretical knowledge across six topic areas: food, nutrition and health; food science; food safety; food choice; food provenance; and cooking and food preparation. Questions range from multiple-choice and short-answer to extended-response, and may include data-response questions requiring interpretation of nutritional data or food-science results. Component 02 — Food Investigation (15%) — is a scientific investigation into the functional and chemical properties of food. Students conduct a practical investigation, collect and analyse data, and write up findings in a report of approximately 1,500–2,000 words. OCR releases the investigation brief in September of the examination year. Component 03 — Food Preparation (35%) — requires students to plan, prepare, cook, and present three dishes in a practical session lasting approximately three hours. Students also submit a planning portfolio. The task brief is released by OCR, and the practical work is marked by the school and verified through OCR's external moderation process.