Qualification

Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA

A LEVEL
Specification

LATIN
H443
For first assessment in 2018

Version 1.6 (October 2022) ocr.org.uk/alevellatin

Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
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 Contents
Support and Guidance ii
Assessment Preparation and Analysis Service iii
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Latin? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Latin? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 4
2 The specification overview 5
2a. OCR’s A Level in Latin (H443) 5
2b. Content of A Level in Latin (H443) 6
2c. Content of Unseen Translation (H443/01) 7
2c. Content of Prose Composition or Comprehension (H443/02) 8
2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03) 9
2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04) 11
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 13
3 Assessment of A Level in Latin 14
3a. Forms of assessment 14
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 15
3c. Assessment availability 16
3d. Retaking the qualification 16
3e. Assessment of extended response 16
3f. Synoptic assessment 16
3g. Calculating qualification results 16
4 Admin: what you need to know 17
4a. Pre-assessment 17
4b. Special consideration 17
4c. External assessment arrangements 18
4d. Results and certificates 18
4e. Post-results services 19
4f. Malpractice 19
5 Appendices 20
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 20
5b. Accessibility 20
5c. Text List 21
5d. Latin Accidence and Syntax 25
Summary of updates 27

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A Level in Latin i
Support and Guidance
Introducing a new specification brings challenges for We also work with a number of leading publishers who
implementation and teaching, but it also opens up new publish textbooks and resources for our specifications.
opportunities. Our aim is to help you at every stage. For more information on our publishing partners and
We are working hard with teachers and other experts their resources visit: ocr.org.uk/publishing-partners
to bring you a package of practical support, resources
and training. Professional development
Our improved Professional Development Programme
Subject Advisors fulfils a range of needs through course selection,
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Hub: cpdhub.ocr.org.uk
Our Subject Advisors work with subject communities
through a range of networks to ensure the sharing of
An introduction to new specifications
ideas and expertise supporting teachers and students
alike. They work with developers to help produce our We run training events throughout the academic year
specifications and the resources needed to support that are designed to help prepare you for first teaching
these qualifications during their development. and support every stage of your delivery of the new
qualifications.
You can contact our Classics Subject Advisors for
specialist advice, guidance and support: To receive the latest information about the training
we offer on GCSE and A Level, please register for email
01223 553998 updates at: ocr.org.uk/updates
[email protected]
@OCR_Classics

Teaching and learning resources

Our resources are designed to provide you with a
range of teaching activities and suggestions that
enable you to select the best activity, approach or
context to support your teaching style and your
particular students. The resources are a body of
knowledge that will grow throughout the lifetime of
the specification, they include:

• Delivery Guides
• Transition Guides
• Topic Exploration Packs
• Lesson Elements.

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ii A Level in Latin
Assessment Preparation and Analysis Service
Along with subject-specific resources and tools, you’ll
also have access to a selection of generic resources
that focus on skills development, professional guidance
for teachers and results data analysis.

Subject Advisor Support

Our Subject Advisors provide you with

access to specifications, high-quality
teaching resources and assessment
materials.

Skills Guides

These guides cover topics that could be

relevant to a range of qualifications, for
example, communication, legislation and
research.

Download the guides at

ocr.org.uk/skillsguides

Active Results

Our free online results analysis service

helps you review the performance of
individual students or your whole cohort.
For more details, please refer to
ocr.org.uk/activeresults

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A Level in Latin iii
 1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Latin?

1a. Why choose an OCR qualification?

Choose OCR and you’ve got the reassurance that We provide a range of support services designed to
you’re working with one of the UK’s leading exam help you at every stage, from preparation through to
1 boards. Our new A Level in Latin has been developed
in consultation with teachers, employers and Higher
the delivery of our specifications. This includes:

Education to provide learners with a qualification that’s • A wide range of high-quality creative resources
relevant to them and meets their needs. including:

We’re part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, o Delivery Guides

Europe’s largest assessment agency and a department o Transition Guides
of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment o Topic Exploration Packs
plays a leading role in developing and delivering
o Lesson Elements
assessments throughout the world, operating in over
150 countries. o … and much more.

We work with a range of education providers, including • Access to Subject Advisors to support you
schools, colleges, workplaces and other institutions through the transition and throughout the
in both the public and private sectors. Over 13,000 lifetime of the specifications.
centres choose our A Levels, GCSEs and vocational • CPD/Training for teachers including events to
qualifications including Cambridge Nationals and introduce the qualifications and prepare you for
Cambridge Technicals. first teaching.

Our Specifications • Active Results – our free results analysis service

to help you review the performance of individual
We believe in developing specifications that help you learners or whole schools.
bring the subject to life and inspire your students to
achieve more. All A Level qualifications offered by OCR are accredited
by Ofqual, the Regulator for qualifications offered in
We’ve created teacher-friendly specifications based on England. The accreditation number for OCR’s A Level in
extensive research and engagement with the teaching Latin is QN601/8254/4.
community. They’re designed to be straightforward
and accessible so that you can tailor the delivery of
the course to suit your needs. We aim to encourage
learners to become responsible for their own learning,
confident in discussing ideas, innovative and engaged.

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1 A Level in Latin
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Latin?
OCR’s A Level in Latin has been designed to help received to help shape how we have structured the
learners develop their understanding of the Latin set texts which gives teachers and learners a greater
language and the related ancient literature, values and
society.
choice in the texts they can study. The specification
also lists the interesting and engaging set texts which 1
will be assessed for the first 6 years of the specification
We have updated the structure of the A Level to to give teachers certainty from the outset about what
reflect the new linear nature of the qualification. texts will be studied in the future.
This has allowed us to create separate components
assessing language and literature. We have designed We want to ensure that OCR’s A Level in Latin engages
this qualification with teachers and learners in mind, learners, develops a desire within them to continue
having consulted extensively across the United learning Latin and helps develop a lifelong enthusiasm
Kingdom. We have used the feedback we have for the Classical world.

Aims and learning outcomes

OCR’s A Level in Latin will enable learners to: • apply analytical and evaluative skills at an
appropriate level which show direct engagement
• develop an appropriate level of competence in with original texts in the ancient language
the language studied
• make an informed personal response to the
• acquire the language skills which enable learners material studied
to read literary texts, both prose and verse, in
the original language • begin to develop a sensitive and analytical
approach to language generally
• develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the
literary, historical and cultural features of the • A Level specifications must also encourage
ancient world learners to develop research and analytical skills
that will empower them to become independent
• acquire the literary skills which enable learners learners.
to read ancient literature, both prose and
verse, in its original language with appropriate
attention to literary techniques, styles and
genres

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A Level in Latin 2
 1c. What are the key features of this specification?
The key features of OCR’s A Level in Latin for you and • the opportunity to develop linguistic skills which
your learners are: will help both in the study and application of
1 • a choice of set texts to study, giving the
English and other languages

opportunity to create an appropriate and • the separation of the assessment of unseen

engaging course for learners language and set texts in different question
papers
• the opportunity to be inspired, motivated and
challenged by reading widely across a range of • the first year of this course is co-teachable with
set texts our AS Level in Latin specification.

• the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding • the chance to develop the language and
of the life and culture of the ancient world literature skills needed to progress to studying
through the literature studied Classics at undergraduate level.

• the encouragement to develop and apply critical

analytical skills, which will help learners in their
future study

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3 A Level in Latin
1d. How do I find out more information?
If you are already using OCR specifications you can Want to find out more?
contact us at: www.ocr.org.uk

If you are not already a registered OCR centre then

Ask our Subject Advisors:

Customer Contact Centre: 01223 553998

1
you can find out more information on the benefits of
becoming one at: www.ocr.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
If you are not yet an approved centre and would like to
Visit our Online Support Centre at
become one go to: www.ocr.org.uk
support.ocr.org.uk

Teacher support: www.ocr.org.uk

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A Level in Latin 4
 2 The specification overview

2a. OCR’s A Level in Latin (H443)

Learners must take all components: 01, 02, 03 and 04 to be awarded the OCR A Level in Latin.

Content Overview Assessment Overview

2 Unseen Translation (01)

33%
100 marks
Learners build their knowledge of 1 hour 45 minute paper of total
vocabulary and linguistic structures Written paper A Level
through reading and studying prose and
verse texts in Latin. Learners study texts
written by a range of prose authors and Prose Composition or
the verse unseen author to develop Comprehension (02) 17%
linguistic competence.
50 marks
of total
1 hour 15 minute paper
A Level
Written paper

Learners study two Latin Prose Literature Prose Literature (03)

set texts in depth. Learners also study
25%
75 marks
additional literature in translation in
order to understand the context from 2 hour paper of total
which the set texts have been taken. Written paper A Level

Learners study two Latin Verse Literature Verse Literature (04)

set texts in depth. Learners also study
25%
75 marks
additional literature in translation in
order to understand the context from 2 hour paper of total
which the set texts have been taken. Written paper A Level

All components include synoptic assessment.

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5 A Level in Latin
2b. Content of A Level in Latin (H443)
The OCR A Level in Latin will build on the knowledge, The OCR A Level in Latin will also extend the study
understanding and skills specified for GCSE of ancient literature in terms of breadth and depth,
(9–1), although prior attainment of a GCSE (9–1) further developing learners’ ability to critically analyse
qualification in Latin is not a requirement. Learners and evaluate ancient literature. In both the Prose and
will be introduced to a greater range of vocabulary Verse Literature components, the OCR A Level in Latin
through wider reading of original material, more will give teachers and learners the option to study one
complex examples of syntax and accidence and the in-
depth study of prose and verse literature.
author in greater depth or the works of two different
authors. The qualification also requires learners to 2
read additional literature in translation in order to
There is no defined vocabulary list for the A Level in understand the context from which the set texts have
Latin. Rather, the qualification will require learners to been taken.
know and build upon words and regular compounds of
the words, which are listed in the Defined Vocabulary The set texts for the Literature components
List for AS Level Latin. This is found on the OCR website (Components 03 and 04) will change every two years.
(www.ocr.org.uk).
The set texts will be reviewed after three years and
Learners are expected to study a range of authors’ may be subject to change. Each set text will remain
work in order to develop a wider vocabulary and more on the list for the lifetime of the qualification, unless
complex understanding of syntax and accidence. This the review process identifies a necessary change. If a
will enable them to translate unseen passages, and text is to be removed from the list and replaced with
either answer comprehension and grammar questions another text, centres will be notified a year in advance.
on an unseen prose passage or translate a passage of
English into Latin. Over the course of the A Level, learners will have
studied the works of at least four different authors
in preparation for the Language and Literature
examinations.

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A Level in Latin 6
 2c. Content of Unseen Translation (H443/01)
This component is designed to enable learners to There is no Defined Vocabulary List for this component.
demonstrate their linguistic competence in Latin. Learners should build on and develop their range of
vocabulary through wider reading of texts during the
A Level course.

2 Learners should be able to: Learners will be required to:

• recognise, analyse and/or deploy, as appropriate, • translate a passage of unseen narrative prose
the accidence and syntax listed in Appendix 5d into English
• extend and demonstrate their knowledge of • translate a passage of unseen verse into English
vocabulary and linguistic structures through
continued linguistic study and through wider • scan two lines of verse
reading and by studying passages of Latin
For examination from 2018 until 2026, the
• accurately translate unseen material into English unseen prose passage will be taken from Livy
• accurately scan lines of unseen verse and the unseen verse passage will be taken from
Ovid.
• demonstrate a detailed understanding of
the linguistic structures of material written
by ancient authors in the original language,
including an understanding of individual words,
phrases or sentences
• present relevant information in a clear,
concise and logical manner using appropriate
terminology in English.

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7 A Level in Latin
2c. Content of Prose Composition or Comprehension (H443/02)
This component is designed to enable learners to There is no Defined Vocabulary List for this component.
demonstrate their linguistic competence in Latin. Learners should build on and develop their range of
vocabulary through wider reading of texts during the
A Level course.

Learners should be able to: Learners will be required to:

2
• recognise, analyse and/or deploy, as appropriate, either
the accidence and syntax listed in Appendix 5d
• translate unseen material from English into Latin
• extend and demonstrate their knowledge of
vocabulary and linguistic structures through or
continued linguistic study and through wider • demonstrate their understanding of a passage
reading and by studying passages of Latin of unseen prose text through comprehension,
• accurately translate unseen material into English translation and questions on syntax and
or Latin accidence

• demonstrate a detailed understanding of For examination from 2018 until 2026, the
the linguistic structures of material written unseen passage for comprehension, translation
by ancient authors in the original language, and questions on syntax and accidence will be a
including an understanding of individual words, piece of prose, taken from an author not listed in
phrases or sentences Group 1 or Group 2 (page 10).
• present relevant information in a clear, concise
and coherent manner using appropriate
terminology in English.

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A Level in Latin 8
 2c. Content of Prose Literature (H443/03)
Learners should study one prose set text from those Each prose set text will be examined for a maximum of
listed in Group 1 and one prose set text from those two years.
listed in Group 2 for the relevant examination series.

Learners should be able to: Learners will be required to:

2 • demonstrate detailed knowledge and

understanding of the prose set texts studied
• understand and respond to passage(s) from a set
text
• understand and appreciate the literary context • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
from which the set texts have been taken by the wider context of a set text
reading an appropriate selection of ancient
literature in English translation • translate passages of each set text into English

• understand and appreciate, as appropriate, the • critically analyse the literary style,
social, cultural and historical contexts for the set characterisation, argument and literary meaning
texts, their authors and audiences of a passage from a set text

• identify, analyse and evaluate literary techniques, • write at length, drawing upon a study of a set
characterisation, strength of argument and text as well as material studied in translation.
literary meaning in the set texts
• use appropriate technical terms in English to
describe the literary techniques and features of
the set texts
• demonstrate appropriate historical and/or
cultural knowledge when necessary for the
understanding or evaluation of a given phrase,
sentence or passage
• appropriately select relevant information from
the material studied to support their argument
and analyse and summarise their findings
• present relevant information in a clear, concise
and coherent manner whilst writing at length,
using appropriate terminology in English.

Consonantal u will be printed as v and accusative plural endings in –is will be printed as –es.

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9 A Level in Latin
A Level in Latin
Version 1.6© OCR 2022

Learners should study one prose set text from Group 1 and one prose set text from Group 2 for the relevant examination series.

For examination in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the prose set texts are:

Group 1 Group 2
Cicero, Philippic II, 44–50 (… viri tui similis esses) and 78 (C.Caesari ex Hispania Cicero, Philippic II, 100–119
redeunti…)–92 English: Cicero, Philippic II, 78–99
Tacitus, Histories I, 4 (finis Neronis ...)–7, 12–14, 17–23, 26 Tacitus, Histories I, 27–36, 39–44, 49
English: Tacitus, Histories I, 17–26, 37–38, 45–48
Apuleius, Metamorphoses V, 11–24
English: Apuleius, Metamorphoses, IV 28–35 and V 1–10

For examination in 2023 and 2024, the prose set texts are:

Group 1 Group 2
Cicero, Pro Cluentio, taken from Murder at Larinum, 1–7 & 10–11 Cicero, Pro Cluentio, taken from Murder at Larinum, 27–32 & 35–37
English: Cicero, Pro Cluentio, 9–18, 43–61, 181–185
Tacitus, Annals IV, 1–4 (… non adversus habebatur), 7–12, 39–41 Tacitus, Annals IV, 52–54, 57–60, 67–71, 74–75
English: Tacitus, Annals IV, 7–12, 17–20, 39–41 and Annals V 1–5
Livy, Book 1, 53–54, 56 (haec agenti …)–60
English: Livy Book 1, 46–52, 55–56

For examination in 2025 and 2026, the prose set texts are:

Group 1 Group 2
Cicero, Pro Caelio, 51–58, 61–68 Cicero, Pro Caelio, 33–50
English: Cicero, Pro Caelio, 1–9, 17–18, 25–32
Tacitus, Annals XII, 25–26, 41–43, 52–53, 56–59, 64–69 Tacitus, Annals XIV, 1–13
English: Tacitus, Annals XIII, 1–5, 10–18, 45–46
Pliny, Letters 1.9, 3.16, 4.2, 4.19, 8.8, 8.16, 8.17, 9.6
English: Pliny, Letters 1.12, 2.6, 2.20, 3.14, 5.8, 7.5, 9.12

Except where a particular edition is prescribed, centres are free to use any complete edition of the prescribed text as they choose. Where a passage is printed on a
question paper it will be taken from the Bloomsbury text listed in Appendix 5c with such modifications as seem appropriate to the examiners.
10

2
 2c. Content of Verse Literature (H443/04)
Learners should study one verse set text from those Each verse set text will be examined for a maximum of
listed in Group 3 and one verse set text from those two years.
listed in Group 4 for the relevant examination series.

Learners should be able to: Learners will be required to:

2 • demonstrate detailed knowledge and

understanding of the verse set texts studied,
• understand and respond to passage(s) from a set
text
including metre
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
• understand and appreciate the literary context the wider context of a set text
from which the set texts have been taken by
reading an appropriate selection of ancient • translate passages of each set text into English
literature in English translation • critically analyse the literary style,
• understand and appreciate, as appropriate, the characterisation, argument and literary meaning
social, cultural and historical contexts for the set of a passage from a set text
texts, their authors and audiences • write at length, drawing upon a study of a set
• identify, analyse and evaluate literary techniques, text as well as material studied in translation.
characterisation, strength of argument and
literary meaning in the set texts
• use appropriate technical terms in English to
describe the literary techniques and features of
the set texts
• demonstrate appropriate historical and/or
cultural knowledge when necessary for the
understanding or evaluation of a given phrase,
sentence or passage
• appropriately select relevant information from
the material studied to support their argument
and analyse and summarise their findings
• present relevant information in a clear, concise
and coherent manner whilst writing at length,
using appropriate terminology in English.

Consonantal u will be printed as v and accusative plural endings in –is will be printed as –es.

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11 A Level in Latin
A Level in Latin
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Learners should study one verse set text from Group 3 and one verse set text from Group 4 for the relevant examination series.

For examination in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the verse set texts are:

Group 3 Group 4
Virgil, Aeneid, Book XI 1–224 Virgil, Aeneid, Book XI 498–521, 532–596, 648–689, 725–835
English: Virgil, Aeneid Book XI
Horace, Satires 1.1 lines 1–12, 28–100; 1.3 lines 25–75; 2.2 lines 1–30, 70–111 Horace, Odes 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
English: Horace, Odes 3.1, 3.7, 3.8, 3.11, 3.12, 3.16, 3.30
Ovid, Amores 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.10, 2.12
English: Ovid Amores 2.1, 2.9 both parts, 2.11, 2.15, 2.17, 2.18

For examination in 2023 and 2024, the verse set texts are:

Group 3 Group 4
Virgil, Aeneid, Book XII 1–106, 614–727 Virgil, Aeneid, Book XII 728–952
English: Virgil, Aeneid Book XII
Catullus, poems 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 40, 70, 76, 85, 88, 89, 91, 107 Catullus, poems 1, 34, 62 & 64 lines 124–264
English: Catullus poems 61, 63, and rest of 64
Ovid, Heroides I lines 1–68, VII lines 1–140
English: Ovid Heroides I, III, VII

For examination in 2025 and 2026, the verse set texts are:

Group 3 Group 4
Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 40–249 Virgil, Aeneid Book 2, 268–317, 370–558
English: Virgil, Aeneid Book 2
Juvenal Satire 6, 1–113, 242–305, 352–365, 398–412 Juvenal, Satire 14.1–33 (... animos auctoribus), 74 (serpente ciconia ...)–232 and
Satire 15.27–92
English: Juvenal Satires 3, 14 and 15
Ovid Fasti 2 267–358, 685–852
English: Fasti Book 2

Except where a particular edition is prescribed, centres are free to use any complete edition of the prescribed text as they choose. Where a passage is printed on a
question paper it will be taken from the Bloomsbury text listed in Appendix 5c with such modifications as seem appropriate to the examiners.
12

2
 2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression
The specification builds on the knowledge, OCR’s A Level in Latin provides a suitable foundation
understanding and skills specified for GCSE (9–1) Latin, for the study of Latin or other Classics courses in
however, prior attainment of a GCSE (9–1) qualification further and higher education. At the same time,
in Latin is not required. the multi-faceted nature of the subject and skills
developed whilst studying Latin provide a suitable
foundation to study many other subjects including

2 English, History, Modern Foreign Languages,

Philosophy and Politics.

The key skills required and developed by the

specification also provide opportunities for progression
directly into employment.

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13 A Level in Latin
3 Assessment of A Level in Latin

3a. Forms of assessment

OCR’s A Level in Latin consists of four components that are all externally assessed.

Unseen Translation (Component 01)

Unseen Translation is an externally assessed, written In Section A, learners will translate an unseen passage
examination testing AO1. It is worth 100 marks, which of Latin prose into English. This section is worth
is 33% of the total marks for the A Level. 50 marks.

There are two sections to this component. Learners In Section B, learners will translate an unseen passage
answer both sections. of Latin verse into English. Learners will also be
required to scan two lines of verse. This section is
worth 50 marks.
3
Prose Composition or Comprehension (Component 02)

Prose Composition or Comprehension is an externally In Section A, learners will answer translation,

assessed, written examination testing AO1. It is worth comprehension and grammar questions on an unseen
50 marks, which is 17% of the total marks for the passage of Latin prose. This section is worth 50 marks.
A Level.
In Section B, learners will translate a passage, of at
There are two sections to this component. Learners least 100 words in length, into Latin. This section is
answer either Section A or Section B. worth 50 marks.

Prose Literature (Component 03)

Prose Literature is an externally assessed, written In both Section A and Section B, learners will have to
examination testing AO2 and AO3. It is worth 75 marks, translate a passage of the set text into English, answer
which is 25% of the total marks for the A Level. comprehension questions and answer a 15-mark
question analysing literary style, characterisation,
There are three sections to this component. argument and literary meaning.
In Section A, learners will answer questions to show In Section C, learners will write an essay which draws
their understanding and appreciation of the set text upon material from the Group 2 set text and the
studied from Group 1. material read in translation.
In Section B, learners will answer questions to show
their understanding and appreciation of the set text
studied from Group 2.

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A Level in Latin 14
 Verse Literature (Component 04)

Verse Literature is an externally assessed, written In both Section A and Section B, learners will have to
examination testing AO2 and AO3. It is worth 75 marks, translate a passage of the set text into English, answer
which is 25% of the total marks for the A Level. comprehension questions and answer a 15-mark
question analysing literary style, characterisation,
There are three sections to this component. argument and literary meaning.
In Section A, learners will answer questions to show In Section C, learners will write an essay which draws
their understanding and appreciation of the set text upon material from the Group 4 set text and the
studied from Group 3. material read in translation.
In Section B, learners will answer questions to show

3 their understanding and appreciation of the set text

studied from Group 4.

3b. Assessment objectives (AO)

There are three Assessment Objectives in OCR A Level in Latin. These are detailed in the table below.

Learners are expected to:

Assessment Objective

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the language.

AO2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of literature.

AO3 Critically analyse, evaluate and respond to literature.

Mark distribution of AO weightings in A Level in Latin

The relationship between the assessment objectives and the components in terms of marks are shown in the
following table:

Component AO1 AO2 AO3 Total

Unseen Translation 100 0 0 100
Prose Composition or Comprehension 50 0 0 50
Prose Literature 0 35 40 75
Verse Literature 0 35 40 75
Total 150 70 80 300

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15 A Level in Latin
3c. Assessment availability
There will be one examination series available each All examined components must be taken in the same
year in May / June to all learners. examination series at the end of the course.

This specification will be certificated from the June

2018 examination series onwards.

3d. Retaking the qualification

Learners can retake the qualification as many times as They retake all components of the qualification.
they wish.
3
3e. Assessment of extended response
The assessment materials for this qualification provide coherent line of reasoning and marks for extended
learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their responses are integrated into the marking criteria.
ability to construct and develop a sustained and

3f. Synoptic assessment

Synoptic assessment targets the learners’ Synoptic assessment encourages the understanding
understanding of the connections between different of Latin as a discipline and requires learners to
elements of the subject. It involves the explicit drawing demonstrate understanding of the links between
together of knowledge, skills and understanding within language and literature in their classical contexts.
different parts of the A Level course.

3g. Calculating qualification results

A learner’s overall qualification grade for A Level in to the qualification level grade boundaries for the
Latin will be calculated by adding together their marks relevant exam series to determine the learner’s overall
from the four components taken to give their total qualification grade.
weighted mark. This mark will then be compared

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A Level in Latin 16
 4 Admin: what you need to know

The information in this section is designed to give an More information about the processes and deadlines
overview of the processes involved in administering involved at each stage of the assessment cycle can be
this qualification so that you can speak to your exams found in the Administration area of the OCR website.
officer. All of the following processes require you to
submit something to OCR by a specific deadline. OCR’s Admin overview is available on the OCR website
at: http://www.ocr.org.uk/administration

4a. Pre-assessment
Estimated entries

Estimated entries are your best projection of the Estimated entries should be submitted to OCR by the
number of learners who will be entered for a specified deadline. They are free and do not commit
qualification in a particular series. your centre in any way.

4 Final entries

Final entries provide OCR with detailed data for Final entries must be submitted to OCR by the
each learner, showing each assessment to be taken. published deadlines or late entry fees will apply.
It is essential that you use the correct entry code,
considering the relevant entry rules. All learners taking an A Level in Latin must be entered
for H443.

Entry Component
Title Component title Assessment type
code code
01 Unseen Translation External Assessment
02 Prose Composition or Comprehension External Assessment
H443 Latin
03 Prose Literature External Assessment
04 Verse Literature External Assessment

4b. Special consideration

Special consideration is a post-assessment adjustment Detailed information about eligibility for special
to marks or grades to reflect temporary injury, illness consideration can be found in the JCQ publication
or other indisposition at the time the assessment was A guide to the special consideration process.
taken.

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17 A Level in Latin
4c. External assessment arrangements
Regulations governing examination arrangements Private candidates
are contained in the JCQ Instructions for conducting
examinations. Private candidates may enter for OCR assessments.

Head of Centre Annual Declaration A private candidate is someone who pursues a course
of study independently but takes an examination
The Head of Centre is required to provide a declaration or assessment at an approved examination centre.
to the JCQ as part of the annual NCN update, A private candidate may be a part-time student,
conducted in the autumn term, to confirm that the someone taking a distance learning course, or
centre is meeting all of the requirements detailed in someone being tutored privately. They must be based
the specification. in the UK.

Any failure by a centre to provide the Head of Centre Private candidates need to contact OCR approved
Annual Declaration will result in your centre status centres to establish whether they are prepared to
being suspended and could lead to the withdrawal of host them as a private candidate. The centre may
our approval for you to operate as a centre. charge for this facility and OCR recommends that the
arrangement is made early in the course. 4
Further guidance for private candidates may be found
on the OCR website: http://www.ocr.org.uk

4d. Results and certificates

Grade Scale

A Level qualifications are graded on the scale: A*, Unclassified (U). Only subjects in which grades A* to E
A, B, C, D, E, where A* is the highest. Learners who are attained will be recorded on certificates.
fail to reach the minimum standard for E will be

Results

Results are released to centres and learners for The following supporting information will be available:
information and to allow any queries to be resolved
before certificates are issued. • raw mark grade boundaries for each component

Centres will have access to the following results • weighted mark grade boundaries for the
information for each learner: qualification.
Until certificates are issued, results are deemed to be
• the grade for the qualification
provisional and may be subject to amendment.
• the raw mark for each component
A learner’s final results will be recorded on an OCR
• the total weighted mark for the qualification. certificate. The qualification title will be shown on the
certificate as ‘OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Latin’.

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A Level in Latin 18
 4e. Post-results services
A number of post-results services are available: • Missing and incomplete results – This service
should be used if an individual subject result
• Review of results – If you are not happy with for a learner is missing, or the learner has been
the outcome of a learner’s results, centres may omitted entirely from the results supplied.
request a review of marking.
• Access to scripts – Centres can request access to
marked scripts.

4f. Malpractice
Any breach of the regulations for the conduct of Detailed information on malpractice can be found
examinations and non-exam assessment work in the JCQ publication Suspected Malpractice
may constitute malpractice (which includes in Examinations and Assessments: Policies and
maladministration) and must be reported to OCR as Procedures.
4 soon as it is detected.

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19 A Level in Latin
5 Appendices

5a. Overlap with other qualifications

There is no overlap with any other qualifications.

5b. Accessibility
Reasonable adjustments and access arrangements The A Level qualification and subject criteria have
allow learners with special educational needs, been reviewed in order to identify any feature which
disabilities or temporary injuries to access the could disadvantage learners who share a protected
assessment and show what they know and can do, characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010. All
without changing the demands of the assessment. reasonable steps have been taken to minimise any
Applications for these should be made before the such disadvantage.
examination series. Detailed information about
eligibility for access arrangements can be found
in the JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable
Adjustments.

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A Level in Latin 20
 5c. Text List
Except where a particular edition is prescribed, centres Where a passage is printed on the question paper
are free to use any complete edition of the prescribed it will be taken from the Bloomsbury text with such
text as they choose. modifications as seem appropriate to the examiners.

The set texts for examination in 2020, 2021 and 2022 can be found in these editions from Bloomsbury:

Cicero Philippic II: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Christopher Tanfield
ISBN: 978 135 001 0239

Tacitus Histories I: A Selection

with introduction by Ellen O’Gorman and commentary notes and vocabulary by Benedict Gravell
ISBN: 978 135 001 0154

Apuleius Metamorphoses V: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Stuart R. Thomson
ISBN: 978 135 001 0277

Virgil Aeneid XI: A Selection

5 with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Ashley Carter

ISBN: 978 135 000 8373

Horace Satires: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Godwin
ISBN: 978 135 000 0360

Horace Odes: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Godwin
ISBN: 978 150 132 4222

Ovid Amores II: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Alfred Artley
ISBN: 978 135 001 0116

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21 A Level in Latin
The set texts for examination in 2023 and 2024 can be found in these editions from Bloomsbury:

Cicero Pro Cluentio: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Matthew Barr
ISBN: 978-1350060340

Tacitus Annals IV: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Robert Cromarty
ISBN: 978-1350060302

Livy History of Rome I: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Storey
ISBN: 978-1350060388

Virgil Aeneid XII: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by James Burbidge
ISBN: 978-1350059214

Catullus: A Selection of Poems

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Godwin
ISBN: 978-1350060227

5
Ovid Heroides: A Selection
with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Christina Tsaknaki
ISBN: 978-1350060265

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A Level in Latin 22
 The set texts for examination in 2025 and 2026 can be found in these editions from Bloomsbury:

Cicero, Pro Caelio: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Georgina Longley
ISBN: 978-1350156432

Tacitus, Annals XII: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Simon Allcock
ISBN: 978-1350156388

Tacitus, Annals XIV: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Storey
ISBN: 978-1350162358

Virgil, Aeneid Book II: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Dominic Jones
ISBN: 978-1350156470

Juvenal Satires: A Selection

with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by John Godwin
ISBN: 978-1350156524

5
Ovid Fasti: A Selection
with introduction, commentary notes and vocabulary by Robert Cromarty
ISBN: 978-1350156555

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23 A Level in Latin
 BLANK PAGE

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A Level in Latin 24
5d. Latin Accidence and Syntax
Accidence and syntax required for Component 01 and Component 02.

Accidence
Nouns of all standard types, together with bos, domus, Iuppiter and vis
Adjectives of all standard types, from all three declensions, including dives, pauper and vetus
Adverbs
Comparison of adjectives and adverbs
Pronouns and pronominal adjectives and related forms
Verbs of all standard types from all conjugations in all moods, voices and tenses, together with deponent, semi-
deponent, defective, irregular and impersonal verbs including the impersonal passive of intransitive verbs
Compound verbs of regular formation using all the common prefixes, including associated consonant and vowel
changes, and where the prefix retains its normal meaning
Cardinal numbers 1–1000 and ordinal numbers 1st – 10th
Uses of prepositions

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25 120434/10 A Level in Latin
 Syntax
Standard patterns of case usage
Negation
Direct statement, question (including deliberative) and command
Prohibitions, exhortations and wishes
Uses of the infinitive (as subject, as complement, prolative, historic)
Uses of the participle (including ablative absolute)
Uses of the subjunctive (e.g. potential, generic)
Comparison (including the ablative of comparison)
Uses of the gerund and gerundive (including the gerundive of obligation)
Constructions using quominus and quin
Use of dum and dummodo to mean ‘provided that’
Subordinate clauses Indirect statement (including extended oratio obliqua), question, command and
prohibition
Description (relative clauses, including common uses with the subjunctive)
Purpose (including uses of the gerund and gerundive)
Result (including the use of the comparative with quam ut)
Conditional
Causal
Temporal
Subordinate clauses within indirect speech
Fearing, prevention and precaution
Concessive
Comparative

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A Level in Latin 26
Summary of updates

Date Version Section Title of section Change

May 2018 1.1 Front cover Disclaimer Addition of disclaimer
June 2018 1.2 5c. Text List Updated support materials
January 2020 1.3 1d How do I find out Remove link to Social Forum and
more information? replace with link to Online Support
Centre

2b Content on A Level in Amends to the set texts to be

Latin (H443) examined in future series

2c Content of Unseen Amends to the set texts to be

Translation (H443/01)/ examined in future series
Content of Prose
Composition or
Comprehension
(H443/02)/Content
of Prose Literature
(H443/03)/Content
of Verse Literature
(H443/04)

4e Post-results services Amend Enquiries about results to

review of results

5c Text list Amends to the set texts to be

examined in future series
February 2021 1.4 Update to specification covers
to meet digital accessibility
standards

April 2022 1.5 2c Content of Prose Adding the set texts to be examined
Literature and Content in 2025 and 2026 examination series
of Verse Literature

5c Text list Adding the list of books from where

the text printed on the question
paper will be taken from
October 2022 1.6 5c Text list Correction to author

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27 A Level in Latin
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