How to study, revise and succeed for OCR A-Level Latin
- Ana Martin
- Feb 20
- 12 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
What does it take to do well in A-Level Latin?
Being a fluent reader in Latin and having knowledge and appreciation of the literature is essential. But is it enough?
If you have sat the Latin GCSE exam, you know that memorising the grammar tables and the vocabulary is not enough:
You also need to understand how to showcase your expertise in the exam and be very careful with how you organise your answers and time your written work.
This is indeed a lot to tackle, and it is essential that you start the preparation from the very moment you finish your GCSE exams.
The true focus of A-Level Latin
At A-Level, the focus switches to a more nuanced understanding of the language.
For success, learning words in Quizlet and ploughing through long glossaries will not be enough.
You need to create a mental image of the language you are learning, and using and seeing the words in context will become essential.
You will need to become a reader, a translator and a literary critic all in one. Easier said than done!
Below, I provide an introduction to help you
Know what is required of you in each of the exam questions, mark by mark.
Understand the level of Latin fluency you need to reach, and the steps that you can take to make the Latin learning journey smooth and enjoyable.
Tackle all areas of study, from the language to the literature and the necessary contextual knowledge
NB: these are my personal opinions as a long-time teacher and tutor. Make sure you visit the OCR website for the latest information from the examining board itself.
How Latin Language knowledge is tested in the exam
Your knowledge of Latin will be thoroughly tested in all course elements – yes, this includes the literature! However, the main opportunity to show how much you have learnt is in the language papers: you will have to have a solid grasp of vocabulary and be a fluent reader.
This is not about memorising lists of words and endings: you must understand the language and be able to show it with accurate English translation or, should you choose the prose composition option, through a translation into Latin.
Learning and testing for Latin Language at AS Level
For your AS Level paper, you will be given a defined vocabulary list (DVL). This is not dissimilar from what you did for GCSE, but on a larger scale. The same applies to the grammar. You can download the AS Defined Vocabulary List on the OCR website.
You must know all the words on that list, but it will not be enough. You need to get used to reading in Latin so you can understand the text rather than just decipher it. I cannot emphasise this enough:
LATIN IS NOT SUDOKU!!!
If you treat it as a puzzle, that is probably what you will achieve: being puzzled.
How can you develop a real understanding of the language where you are so familiar with the words, the contexts in which they appear and the different forms they can take? Reading. Kilometres of reading and translation is the answer. This is why all my students get access to Legentibus, where I supervise their reading progress and suggest texts that are at the right level of challenge for their level.
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Now, Latin is not the most productive language out there – let us be honest. However, for AS you have a great selection of texts to read to help you achieve this:
1. Past papers are excellent to get you used to the style and difficulty of the texts. OCR allows you to peruse not only the latest papers but also the legacy ones. Legacy papers are fantastic because they are abundant and slightly more accessible than current ones. You can find them under withdrawn qualification materials.
2. Go beyond the vocabulary list: if you really want a good command of Latin, you need to read very extensively, including sources other than materials designed for GCSE or A-Level students. Here are some valuable recommendations:
- Look for easy novellas or books that use more comprehensible input, such as Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata or Via Latina. You can even find fun, easy-to-read books in Latin, which are not as repetitive as novellas, if this is something you find tedious. Here is an example I wrote myself:
- Familiarising yourself with textbooks different from those you have used will also come in handy. I highly recommend Suburani, but you could also reread sections of the Cambridge Latin Course. It all depends on the course you used in the first place. I have some helpful advice in my blog post about the best methods to learn Latin, but feel free to email me if you have any questions.
3. Take advantage of the plentiful online resources, particularly in YouTube, there are plenty of accounts that will allow you to immerse yourself in the language more informally. I have great suggestions for free resources in my blog post about online resources to Learn Latin for free.
What does the AS Latin Paper look like?
You will sit one Language paper consisting of 80 marks (50%). This paper lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. The test will include a Latin to English translation and a choice of either answering comprehension questions on another text OR translating from English into Latin.
You should discuss with a teacher which option you are more likely to enjoy. Personally, I think that, if you have the possibility, it is a good idea to prepare for both initially and leave the option open. Prose composition is a great way to explore and test your knowledge of the language, and I always practise it as part of the journey.
You can check the tips section below for more information on timing and tackling each question type.
Learning and testing for Latin at A2 Level
This is where you are given plenty of freedom to develop your knowledge of Latin and read a huge variety of very interesting literary texts. Here are my recommendations to prepare for this:
1. You want to cover the Owen books from front to back, as they are the best resource out there to ensure you acquire not just the language, but also a solid picture of the literary context and the history of Rome. You should have a copy of both Ovid Unseens and Prose Unseens for A-Level Latin. They will help you get ready for the Ovid and Livy papers, as well as help you with literary analysis.
2. You may find the Owen books a bit daunting at first. If that is the case, work your way through more complex novellas and Latin courses (see the tips for AS above) and reread texts you covered during your A-Level Course. Latin Beyond GCSE by Taylor would be very helpful for this.
3. Do work with the Latin Prose Composition book by Andrew Leigh, even if you do not plan to choose the composition option in the exam: that is the best way to understand the structure of the language.
4. Learn a Romance language or at least a language with a type of inflexion similar to Latin. I know this may sound a bit far out, and it is often the case that people recommend Latin to learn other languages, BUT if you are monolingual, you are going to struggle with Latin. Learning to communicate in an inflected language is a transferable skill and will do wonders for your development as a linguist.
Time is obviously very limited, but you could try a summer intensive, or even some Duolingo might do!
5. Read a variety of quality literature in English extensively. Your English vocabulary matters: often, literary words can help us understand new Latin words when found in context.
6. For the ultimate language immersion, I set up all my 1-to-1 tutees with a Legentibus account. It is by far the most accessible way to develop reading and listening fluency that you can carry on your phone or tablet.
What do the A2 papers look like?
First, there is the Unseen translation paper, which consists of 100 marks (33%) and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. You will translate both Livy and Ovid, and will be expected to scan some elegy or epic poetry. This can be easily prepared with the Owen books.
Next, you sit the Prose Composition and Comprehension, which consists of 50 marks (17%) and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. A variety of authors can be featured for this paper, and you must be a good all-rounder when it comes to different Latin writing styles.
As with the AS paper, you will need to discuss with your teacher or tutor what you are most likely to do well in. It depends on the circumstances, but I tend to recommend practising both.
The comprehension and grammar parts of the exam will help you explore syntax in more depth, whereas the prose composition is the key skill to consolidate your deep knoweldge of the language.
I have been teaching the second paper since it first came out, and in my experience (and this is a bit subjective of course), it is easy to score highly in it, and students who prepare for it are much more likely to reach the A* band.
How Roman Literature knowledge is tested in the exam
If you are working with a school, your teacher will choose the prose and verse set texts for you. If you are working independently or with a tutor as a homeschooler, you must make sure you select a permitted combination of texts that will be tested on the exact year of your examination. The OCR specification has all the information you need by year. The best Latin tutors will help you choose an author aligned with your interests and give you the best opportunity to read around the topic and become an expert.
How does the Latin literature component get tested?
AS Latin Literature Paper
You will sit one 2-hour paper (80 marks), which carries 50% of the mark. The paper will include both the prose and the verse.
A2 Latin Literature Paper
You will sit two papers, one for Prose Literature and one for Verse Literature. They are 2-hour papers (75 marks each), carrying 25% of the mark each.
You can read more about literary analysis in my blog post about 15-markers and literary style questions. You might also need this:
Key Resources
Here you have a summary of easily available resources that you will probably want to check out:
Textbook:
Bloomsbury produces high-quality study books which contain an introduction, the text, notes and a glossary. I highly recommend getting a copy and using it as a workbook.
These are the textbooks for the set texts currently being studied:
PROSE SET TEXTS 2025-2026
VERSE SET TEXTS 2025-2026
PROSE SET TEXTS FOR 2026-2028
VERSE SET TEXTS FOR 2027-2028
Shorter Verse Authors: Tibullus, Ovid's Metamorphoses and Lucretius' De Rerum Naturae
Workbook:
if you would like to have a more functional workbook, David Carter produces a text that comes with space for your translation, options for the vocabulary and a very literal rendering of the text. It also presents the text in an order that makes it easier to understand for English speakers. I personally do not find it useful to read the text in unnatural word order. However, some of my students greatly benefit from it, and it is worth giving it a go if you have not trained sufficiently in reading original texts.
Massolit courses:
The high-quality Massolit courses are perfectly aligned with what you need to know for A-Level. They are a great source of contextual information for Cicero, Tacitus, Nepos and Pliny, as well as Virgil, Juvenal, Apuleius, Tibullus and Ovid. Your school might offer you an account to access Massolit lectures. If it does not, a personal account is quite inexpensive and definitely great value.
Oxford University Press Very Short Introductions:
The titles below make a great starting point for those wanting to delve into Latin literature:
Classical Literature, A Very Short Introduction by William Allan
Classics, A Very Short Introduction by Mary Beard and John Henderson
Ovid, A Very Short Introduction by Llewelyn Morgan
Cicero, A Very Short Introduction by Yelena Baraz
Open Book Publishers has some fantastic guides, including great textbooks by Ingo Gildenhardt, with useful introductory material. The PDFs can be downloaded for free. I am not currently aware of any specific publications for the new set texts, but I will update this space as soon as I find out.
In Our Time:
This program is a treasure trove of inspiring conversations about the texts you will be covering. You can visit the BBC In Our Time website for the ever-growing list.
A note on translations:
Your teacher or tutor, if you are a homeschooler, will be providing you or helping you create a translation that is literal enough for you to understand the original text. There are also sources online for literal translations, such as Poetry In Translation. I would recommend sticking to what your teacher provides or recommends, and then exploring more literary translations. Penguin and Oxford University Press tend to have the most exciting options.
Recommended companion reading:
If you enjoy reading fiction, there are some great works that you read along with the Latin originals to bring them to life. Here is a list of my favourite ones in no particular order:
- Counting the Stars, by Helen Dunmore (links to Catullus and the Late Republic)
- I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves (links to pretty much all the set texts)
- Cicero Trilogy, by Robert Harris: Imperium, Lustrum and Dictator (links to Cicero and the Late Republic)
- An Imaginary Life by David Malouf (links to Ovid in exile and will be particularly relevant for those with an interest in postcolonial literature)
If you would like to dip into some non-fiction, here are some of my favourite ones, in no particular order:
- Cicero, by Anthony Everitt
- SPQR by Mary Beard
3 top tips for each type of exam question:
Language Paper
- Always aim to strike the right balance between being literal and making it sound idiomatic
- Read the text in full, and do not stop for too long if you get stuck: there might be a good cue waiting for you just two lines down
- Do not be afraid: an inaccurate translation is always better than no translation at all, and the examiner will recognise your effort if you get some of it right
Prose Comprehension and Composition
- Prepare for one section – the one which you know you are working towards with your teacher. This sounds quite evident, but exam nerves can cloud your judgement!
- Aim to note the difference between questions that ask you for a straight translation and questions that require your interpretation
- If you forget some of the terminology, your translation and understanding of the text still count. This is especially important at A2 Level, where they will ask you why a specific form has been used
Literature Papers
First and foremost, look for the text you have studied. That means do not start blindly on the first page: check first which questions you are doing and how you will spread your time.
Short questions
- Note the line numbers and the mark allocation. Time is short, and you need to focus on what will score you the marks and make sure you do not include any harmful additions!
Questions relating to literary analysis (6 and 8 markers at AS, and 15 markers at A2) are covered in my literary analysis blog post, but you have a short overview here:
- Use a strategy to arrange the information. I suggest PEER, but whatever works for you is fine. It is essential that you have a full Latin quote from the text printed on the page, an accurate and well-delimited translation and a good explanation of the effect on the audience.
- If you forget some of the terminology, do not worry: you can still explain what you see and how you think it impacts the audience.
- Quality over quantity: particularly at A2, where no number of points are required, make sure you choose your best ideas and present them articulately.
Mini-essay questions (10 markers at AS, and 20 markers at A2):
- Do not spend time in an introduction if it does not add to what the question was alreay asking. It is not a rephrasing exercise, but an invitation to follow your argument. You may want to leave it blank and write it once you are clear on the structure of your essay and the main points you will be discussing.
- A conclusion is welcome, but make it add to your argument: a vague summary will take your time and will not score any points. Remember that this is the last part the examiner will read from you: show how your essay has tackled important questions, and how it advances our knowledge of the texts.
- You do not need to quote literally in English or Latin. What you need to include are references to the text that support your argument. Use your own words and go beyond the plain text.
- Make your work convincing, and explore different perspectives to the argument
- Make sure you cover the whole prescribed material, even if you think there is a particular passage that is most relevant: you want to show your own overview.
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