Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level Geology
H414/03 Practical skills in geology
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the Insert (inside this document)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a protractor
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• A4 plain paper
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 16 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Geology practical skills in geology (H414/03)
Question Paper and Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
1
(a) Fig. 1.1 in the Insert shows a thin section photograph of a carbonate rock.
(i) Name this rock using the Dunham classification scheme.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the magnification of the thin section photograph.
Magnification = .................................................................... [2]
(iii) Describe the environment in which the carbonate rock in Fig. 1.1 in the Insert was deposited.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) Explain how the carbonate rock in Fig. 1.1 in the Insert was formed.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Fig. 1.2 in the Insert shows a hand specimen of a metamorphic rock.
(i) Estimate the ratio of dark to light minerals in the metamorphic rock.
dark minerals: light minerals = 1: ....................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain what the texture of the rock in Fig. 1.2 suggests about the type and grade of
metamorphism the rock has undergone.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
© OCR 2025
, 3
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 2
(c) * Use Fig. 1.3 in the Insert to compare the composition and texture (including crystal size) of igneous
rocks A and B.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [6]
Extra answer space if required
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
© OCR 2025
A Level Geology
H414/03 Practical skills in geology
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the Insert (inside this document)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a protractor
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• A4 plain paper
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 16 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Geology practical skills in geology (H414/03)
Question Paper and Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
1
(a) Fig. 1.1 in the Insert shows a thin section photograph of a carbonate rock.
(i) Name this rock using the Dunham classification scheme.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the magnification of the thin section photograph.
Magnification = .................................................................... [2]
(iii) Describe the environment in which the carbonate rock in Fig. 1.1 in the Insert was deposited.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) Explain how the carbonate rock in Fig. 1.1 in the Insert was formed.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Fig. 1.2 in the Insert shows a hand specimen of a metamorphic rock.
(i) Estimate the ratio of dark to light minerals in the metamorphic rock.
dark minerals: light minerals = 1: ....................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain what the texture of the rock in Fig. 1.2 suggests about the type and grade of
metamorphism the rock has undergone.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
© OCR 2025
, 3
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 2
(c) * Use Fig. 1.3 in the Insert to compare the composition and texture (including crystal size) of igneous
rocks A and B.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. .................................................................................................................................................................... [6]
Extra answer space if required
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
© OCR 2025
