OCR A-Level Latin
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course overview
The OCR A-Level Latin specification covers 19 study areas with 327 learning objectives (OCR-A-Level-Latin). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 19 study areas
- 327 learning objectives
Verified courseQuestions and notes checked against the official specification.
- 234
- verified practice questions
- 109
- verified teaching notes
- 19
- topics
Your exams
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unseen Translation | 105 min | 100 | 33% |
| Prose Composition or Comprehension | 75 min | 50 | 17% |
| Prose Literature | 120 min | 75 | 25% |
| Verse Literature | 120 min | 75 | 25% |
Explore your topics
19 study areas
Unseen Translation2 topics
What learners should be able to do
2c. Content of Unseen Translation (H443/01)6 specification points covering recognise, analyse and/or deploy, as appropriate, the accidence and syntax listed in Appendix 5d, extend and demonstrate…18 objectivesUnseen prose and verse translation and scansion
2c. Content of Unseen Translation (H443/01) - Learners will be required to:4 specification points covering translate a passage of unseen narrative prose into English, translate a passage of unseen verse into English, scan two lines…12 objectives
Prose Composition or Comprehension3 topics
What learners should be able to do
2c. Content of Prose Composition or Comprehension (H443/02)5 specification points covering recognise, analyse and/or deploy, as appropriate, the accidence and syntax listed in Appendix 5d, extend and demonstrate…15 objectivesComprehension, translation and grammar on unseen Latin prose
2c. Content of Prose Composition or Comprehension (H443/02) - Learners will be required to:2 specification points covering or demonstrate their understanding of a passage of unseen prose text through comprehension, translation and questions on…6 objectives
Latin accidence and syntax for Components 01 and 023 topics
Accidence
5d. Latin Accidence and Syntax - Accidence10 specification points covering Accidence and syntax required for Component 01 and Component 02., Nouns of all standard types, together with bos, domus,…30 objectivesSyntax
5d. Latin Accidence and Syntax - Syntax11 specification points covering Standard patterns of case usage, Negation, Direct statement, question (including deliberative) and command and related ideas.33 objectivesSubordinate clauses
5d. Latin Accidence and Syntax - Syntax - Subordinate clauses11 specification points covering Indirect statement (including extended oratio obliqua), question, command and prohibition, Description (relative clauses,…33 objectives
Prose Literature6 study areas
What learners should be able to do
2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03)9 specification points covering Learners should study one prose set text from those listed in Group 1 and one prose set text from those listed in Group 2…27 objectivesWhat learners will be required to do
2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Learners will be required to:5 specification points covering understand and respond to passage(s) from a set text, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the wider context of a set…15 objectives- 2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 1 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle)2 specification points covering Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 5 (forsitan quaeratis ...) – 29 (… iugulandum vobis tradiderunt), Nepos, Life of Hannibal, 1–13…6 objectives
- 2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle)6 specification points covering Cicero, pro Roscio Amerino, 29 (quid primum …) – 32 (… iuguletis aut condemnetis?) and 37 (occidisse patrem ...) – 57 (……18 objectives
- 2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 1 - For examination in 2030, 2031 and 2032 (sixth set text cycle)2 specification points covering Cicero, In Catilinam 1, 1–18, Livy, Book 2, 9–14.6 objectives
- 2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) - Group 2 - For examination in 2030, 2031 and 2032 (sixth set text cycle)6 specification points covering Cicero, In Catilinam 2, 1–16 and 27–29, English: Cicero, In Catilinam 2, 17–26 and Sallust, Bellum Catilinae, 26–35,…18 objectives
Verse Literature6 study areas
What learners should be able to do
2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04)9 specification points covering Learners should study one verse set text from those listed in Group 3 and one verse set text from those listed in Group 4…27 objectivesWhat learners will be required to do
2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) - Learners will be required to:5 specification points covering understand and respond to passage(s) from a set text, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the wider context of a set…15 objectives- 2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) - Group 3 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle)2 specification points covering Virgil, Aeneid Book 4, lines 1–128, 529–629, Tibullus 1.2, 1.5, 2.4.6 objectives
- 2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) - Group 4 - For examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (fifth set text cycle)6 specification points covering Virgil, Aeneid Book 4, lines 259–396, 416–503, English: Virgil, Aeneid 1 lines 613–722 and rest of Book 4, Lucretius, De…18 objectives
- 2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) - Group 3 - For examination in 2030, 2031 and 2032 (sixth set text cycle)2 specification points covering Virgil, Aeneid Book 7, lines 373–600, Propertius 1.5, 1.8 (a and b), 1.10, 1.16, 1.20, 2.29 (a and b).6 objectives
- 2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) - Group 4 - For examination in 2030, 2031 and 2032 (sixth set text cycle)6 specification points covering Virgil, Aeneid Book 12, lines 113–160, 216–286, 311–390, 564 (...celso medius stans aggere fatur)–611, English: Virgil,…18 objectives
About this course
About OCR A-Level Latin
OCR's A-Level Latin course invites students to build on their GCSE knowledge and engage deeply with the language, literature, and culture of ancient Rome. You will develop advanced linguistic skills through unseen translation from Latin to English and, if you choose, English to Latin prose composition. Alongside this, you will study prescribed prose and verse set texts, exploring the works of iconic authors such as Cicero, Tacitus, Virgil, and Ovid. The course is designed to cultivate not only precise translation but also literary appreciation, analytical thinking, and an understanding of the historical and social contexts that shaped these texts.
The specification is structured into four components, giving a balanced blend of language and literature. Component 1 focuses on unseen translation, testing your ability to translate both a prose and a verse passage without prior study. For Component 2, you can either tackle prose composition (translating a short English passage into Latin) or opt for prose comprehension, which assesses your understanding of unseen Latin through short-answer questions. Components 3 and 4 are the set texts: one prose author and one verse author, studied in depth over the two-year course. The set texts rotate periodically, so you'll always encounter fresh material while still being examined on a manageable selection of lines.
Throughout the course, you'll refine your grasp of Latin syntax, style, and idiom, while also learning to analyse literary techniques, characterisation, and themes. The OCR approach encourages independent thought and critical engagement—skills highly valued by universities and employers. By the end, you'll have not only a thorough command of classical Latin but also a richer appreciation of how Roman literature continues to influence the modern world.
Assessment Structure
The OCR A-Level Latin qualification is assessed through four written examination papers, all taken at the end of the two-year course. Paper 1 (Unseen Translation, 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks) contributes 33% of the final grade. Paper 2 (Prose Composition or Prose Comprehension, 1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks) is worth 17%; students must choose one of these two options. Paper 3 (Prose Literature, 2 hours, 75 marks) and Paper 4 (Verse Literature, 2 hours, 75 marks) each account for 25% of the total. There is no coursework element. The total maximum uniform mark is 300.
Why Choose OCR?
- OCR is the only major UK exam board to offer a dedicated A-Level Latin qualification, making it the natural choice for centres and students committed to the subject. This specialisation means the specification, resources, and examiner support are tailored precisely to the demands of advanced Latin study.
- The flexibility of Component 2 is a standout feature. You can select prose composition if you enjoy the intellectual challenge of writing Latin, or prose comprehension if you prefer to focus on reading skills. This choice allows you to play to your strengths and tailor the course to your interests.
- OCR has a long-standing reputation for rigorous yet accessible classical language qualifications. The board provides extensive past papers, exemplar materials, and teacher guides, and the set texts are chosen in consultation with the subject community to ensure a stimulating and balanced curriculum that prepares students well for university study in classics or related fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the set texts for OCR A-Level Latin this year?
Is prose composition compulsory in OCR A-Level Latin?
How much vocabulary do I need to know for the unseen translation?
What is the difference between prose composition and prose comprehension?
How do I prepare for the prose and verse literature papers?
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the language.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of literature.
Critically analyse, evaluate and respond to literature.
Exam Structure
Unseen Translation
1h 45m
Duration
100
Marks
33%
Weighting
Prose Composition or Comprehension
1h 15m
Duration
50
Marks
17%
Weighting
Prose Literature
2h
Duration
75
Marks
25%
Weighting
Verse Literature
2h
Duration
75
Marks
25%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Chooses an option on the ending alone without checking the surrounding words; read the whole clause before deciding.
- •Confuses a form that looks alike, such as a present and a perfect stem; check the principal parts and the context.
- •Treats a subjunctive as automatically translated with 'may' or 'might'; identify the specific construction before choosing.
- •Ignores agreement between noun and adjective; match case, number and gender across the phrase.
- •Treats vocabulary learning as a one-off task before the exam; build it steadily through regular short sessions and revisit words in context.
- •Reads a passage once and moves on without checking grammar; reread and identify the structures that carry the meaning.
- •Learns words in isolation only; record them with an example from a passage so the meaning and form stick.
- •Skips unfamiliar constructions instead of noting them; log each new structure and look it up in Appendix 5d.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Read the whole sentence before looking at the options, so context guides your choice.
- •Name the form to yourself first, then eliminate options that contradict it.
- •Watch for constructions in Appendix 5d such as indirect statement, purpose and result clauses, and check the option reflects the construction.
- •If two options seem possible, test each against the grammar of the surrounding words.
- •Set a regular routine of short vocabulary sessions rather than cramming, and test yourself on words met in passages.
- •When reading a passage, underline unfamiliar forms and identify them before translating.
- •Keep a running list of constructions from Appendix 5d and find an example of each in your reading.
- •Reread your translation against the Latin to check that every structure has been accounted for.
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