Skip to course topics
    ← Greek

    OCR A-Level Greek

    Explore your course, one topic at a time.

    Course OCR-A-Level-Greek

    Explore your topics

    40 topics

    Course topics10 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 1 (2023–24)3 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 1 (2025–26)2 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 1 (2027–28)3 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 2 (2023–24)2 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 2 (2025–26)3 topics
    Prose Set Text Group 2 (2027–28)2 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 3 (2023–24)3 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 3 (2025–26)3 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 3 (2027–28)3 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 4 (2023–24)2 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 4 (2025–26)2 topics
    Verse Set Text Group 4 (2027–28)2 topics
    About this course

    About OCR A-Level Greek

    The OCR A-Level in Classical Greek offers students the opportunity to develop advanced language skills while immersing themselves in the literature and culture of ancient Greece. The course is designed to build on prior knowledge from GCSE, gradually extending grammatical understanding and vocabulary to enable fluent reading of original texts. Over two years, learners translate unseen passages of Greek prose and verse, studying the nuances of ancient authors’ style, vocabulary, and syntax. This component not only sharpens linguistic precision but also promotes a deeper appreciation of the literary artistry that has shaped Western thought.

    Alongside language work, the specification requires the detailed study of set texts from both prose and verse genres. Students explore major works by authors such as Homer, Euripides, Sophocles, Plato, Lysias, and Thucydides, engaging critically with themes like heroism, justice, democracy, and the human condition. Through literary analysis and discussion of historical and cultural context, learners gain insight into the values and ideas of classical Athens and beyond. The set texts are prescribed by OCR and rotate periodically, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum that covers epic, tragedy, philosophy, historiography, and oratory.

    The linear structure of the qualification means all assessment takes place at the end of the two-year course, allowing time for deep learning and consolidation. Students are supported by a clear syllabus, endorsed textbooks, and a wealth of online resources including past papers and examiner reports. The balance of unseen translation, literature, and the option to specialise in either prose composition or comprehension gives learners the chance to play to their strengths while gaining a thorough grounding in the ancient language and its legacy.

    Assessment Structure

    The A-Level consists of four written examination papers, all taken in the summer of the second year. Paper 1 (Unseen Translation) is 1 hour 45 minutes and contributes 25% of the total marks with 100 raw marks. Paper 2 offers a choice between Prose Composition (a passage of English to translate into Greek) and Prose Comprehension (unseen Greek with questions and a short English-to-Greek task); this paper is 1 hour 15 minutes, carries 50 raw marks, and is worth 25% of the qualification. Papers 3 and 4 are each 2 hours long, each worth 25% and 100 raw marks, assessing set texts in prose and verse respectively. All components test knowledge, analysis, and understanding of language and literature, with no coursework or controlled assessment.

    Why Choose OCR?

    • OCR is one of the leading UK exam boards for classical subjects, with decades of experience in designing rigorous and respected qualifications. Its Classical Greek specification is carefully structured to reward genuine linguistic ability and literary appreciation, making it highly valued by top universities.
    • The choice between prose composition and comprehension in Paper 2 allows students to play to their strengths: those who enjoy active language production can opt for composition, while others can focus on analysis and understanding via the comprehension route. This flexibility is unique to OCR and helps tailor the course to individual learning styles.
    • OCR provides extensive support materials, including endorsed editions of set texts, detailed anthologies of prescribed passages, sample answers, and a large bank of past papers. The specification is transparently assessed with clear mark schemes, helping both teachers and students to target high performance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the set texts for OCR A-Level Classical Greek and how often do they change?
    OCR prescribes two prose texts and two verse texts for detailed study, drawn from a published list that is updated periodically – usually every three years. For example, recent prose texts have included Plato’s Republic, Lysias’ speeches, and Thucydides’ History; verse texts have featured Homer’s Iliad, Euripides’ Medea, and Sophocles’ Antigone. The exact texts and prescribed sections are confirmed in the OCR specification and accompanying anthologies, which include the required vocabulary and commentary. Students and teachers should always check the latest specification on the OCR website for the current examination cycle to ensure they are studying the correct material.
    Is there a coursework or practical element in OCR A-Level Greek, or is it all exams?
    No, there is no coursework or practical assessment. The qualification is entirely exam-based, with four written papers taken at the end of the second year. This linear structure means all the content is tested in final exams, allowing you to develop and consolidate your knowledge over the full course before sitting the assessments. The only choice you make is on Paper 2, where you select either the prose composition or prose comprehension option before the exam, but both are assessed in a written paper.
    What GCSE grade do I need to start OCR A-Level Classical Greek?
    Most schools require at least a grade 6 or 7 in GCSE Classical Greek (or equivalent) to begin the A-Level course, as the step up in both language and literature is significant. It is strongly recommended that you have a secure grasp of all GCSE grammar, a substantial vocabulary, and experience of translating unprepared passages. If you have not taken GCSE Greek but have a similar qualification (such as a high grade in Latin and some classical Greek experience), some institutions may consider you, but you should expect intensive catch-up work, especially in morphology and syntax.
    How does the choice between prose composition and comprehension work in Paper 2?
    Paper 2 is titled 'Prose Composition or Comprehension', and you must enter for one version only. In the composition option, you translate an English passage of about 100–120 words into Greek, drawing on prescribed accidence and syntax; this tests your active command of the language. In the comprehension option, you are given an unseen Greek prose passage and answer questions in English about its content, style, and grammar, plus you complete a short English-to-Greek translation exercise. Both options carry the same weighting (25%) and 50 raw marks, so you should choose based on your strengths and preferences. Your teacher will advise you on which route suits you best.
    How hard is the unseen translation paper in OCR A-Level Greek?
    The unseen translation paper (Paper 1) is challenging but manageable with consistent practice. It comprises two passages – one prose and one verse – of about 10–12 lines each, taken from authors you are unlikely to have studied directly. The language is comparable to the difficulty of the set text authors, and the paper tests your ability to apply grammar and vocabulary flexibly. To succeed, you will need to build a broad reading base beyond the set texts, using resources such as additional unseens, past papers, and the OCR-defined vocabulary list. Regular translation practice and careful attention to common idiomatic expressions will help you feel confident in this component.
    Assessment and exam guidance

    What Gets Top Grades

    A*/Grade 9

    Knowledge & Understanding

    Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

    • Uses correct subject-specific terminology
    • Shows detailed understanding of concepts
    • Makes accurate connections between topics
    • Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

    Application

    Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

    • Selects relevant knowledge for the question
    • Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
    • Uses examples appropriately
    • Shows awareness of context

    Analysis & Evaluation

    Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

    • Constructs logical chains of reasoning
    • Considers multiple perspectives
    • Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
    • Acknowledges limitations and nuances

    Key Command Words

    OCR
    State
    1 mark

    Give a single fact or term

    Identify
    1 mark

    Name or select

    Describe
    2-4 marks

    Account of process or features

    Explain
    3-6 marks

    Give reasons with BUSINESS-FACING outcomes

    Analyse
    6-9 marks

    Examine methodically showing cause→effect→outcome

    Evaluate
    9-12 marks

    Judge, weigh up evidence, reach SYNOPTIC conclusion

    Tips and common mistakes

    Common Exam Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

    • •Failure to distinguish between words of identical spelling but different accentuation
    • •Inaccurate application of accidence and syntax rules listed in Appendix 5d
    • •Lack of precision in translating linguistic structures
    • •Misunderstanding the ritual of recognition and its staged revelation; students often overlook Odysseus’ testing of Telemachus before the embrace.
    • •Confusing the sequence of instructions: Odysseus’ command to remove arms (lines 281–298) precedes Telemachus’ role in hiding them, which some incorrectly reverse.
    • •Underplaying Athena’s epiphany and her physical transformation of Odysseus, merely mentioning it without analysing its narrative impact or thesis of divine favour.
    • •Translating key epithets or formulaic phrases too literally without acknowledging their poetic function (e.g., ‘πολύμητις’, ‘δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς’).
    • •Ignoring the thematic irony of the suitors’ oblivious feasting while the plot is set in motion within the same halls.

    Top Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for exam success

    • •Ensure familiarity with the English translation of the entire text to support the analysis of the set Greek passages
    • •Focus on the development of the argument within the Crito
    • •Use the prescribed Bloomsbury edition (ISBN: 978-1350379633) for reference
    • •Ensure familiarity with the entire text in English translation to support the essay component
    • •Focus on the specific lines prescribed for the Greek text (1–5 and 15–21)
    • •Use appropriate technical terminology when discussing literary techniques
    • •Ensure arguments are supported by specific evidence from the text
    • •Read an appropriate selection of ancient literature in English translation to support your understanding of the literary context

    Ready for a little practice?

    Create your account to start practising Greek.

    Start free

    7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge

    Start free

    Cookies on MasteryMind

    Essential cookies keep you signed in.

    Analytics and advertising cookies stay off unless you accept.

    Read our Privacy Policy.