Edexcel Combined Science GCSEs: everything you need to know

Key takeaways:

• Combined Science is a double award, so you’ll receive two final grades.

• There are six papers for Combined Science, two for each discipline: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

• A formula sheet for Physics will be provided for Combined Science exams.

What’s the difference between Combined Science: Higher and Foundation?

Edexcel Combined Science is split into Higher and Foundation tiers, depending on your level.

Foundation tier Combined Science Edexcel:

• Covers the core topics you need to know and excludes more complex or demanding areas.

• In Foundation Combined Science, you can achieve a maximum grade of 5-5.

Higher tier Combined Science Edexcel:

• The higher tier covers both core and more advanced topics across the curriculum.

• For Higher tier Combined Science, you can achieve a maximum grade of 9-9 - the highest possible grade.

• The lowest grade you can get is a 4-4, or a 4-3 for students who just miss a 4-4.

Your school will place you in the correct tier based on your performance in Year 9. Sometimes, students may be moved up or down a tier during Year 10 or 11.

Edexcel requires all Combined Science exams to be taken at the same level, so you cannot do Higher for one part and Foundation for another.

Is there an equations sheet for Combined Science Edexcel?

Yes! It’s been confirmed that equation sheets will continue to be provided for Edexcel Combined Science.

The sheet will cover key formulas used for Physics. The formula sheet includes key equations needed for both the Foundation and Higher tiers.

Take a look at the 2024 equation sheet here.

What are the grade boundaries for Combined Science GCSE?

It’s important to remember that the exact grade boundaries for your GCSE exams will change every year.

Exam boards adjust the grade boundaries after an exam has happened, depending on how advanced the exam content was and how the cohort performed.

This is so students don’t have an advantage or disadvantage because of the year they took the paper. For example, if your paper were harder, grade boundaries would be lowered so that a grade 5 reflects the same level of knowledge as in previous years.

Let’s take a look at the grade boundaries for Edexcel Combined Science from 2024 to get a sense of how grades are awarded:

Remember, these won’t be the exact grade boundaries, but should give you a sense of how many marks to aim for to hit your target grades.

Learn more: take a look at our blog on how GCSE exams are graded.

What grade counts as a pass for Combined Science?

With Combined Science giving you two grades, it can be confusing to understand whether you’ve passed or not if one of your marks is lower than a 4.

So, is a 4-3 a pass for GCSE Combined Science?

It’s important to understand that your grade is based on your overall mark across the three subjects. You can only get either the same grade (5-5) or adjacent grades (5-4), to reflect your performance across the papers.

A 4-3 would not count as a full pass. You have one pass and one fail. The best thing to do is check with your school or college to determine whether you need to resit or not to carry on with your choice of post-16 education.

Where can I find past papers and mark schemes?

Practising with past papers and mark schemes is one of the most effective ways to prepare for GCSE Combined Science.

Past papers help you understand question styles, see how marks are awarded, and build confidence with real exam timing and structure.

Head to the Edexcel website to find past papers and mark schemes from previous GCSE Combined Science exams.

What key topics do I need to know for Edexcel Combined Science GCSE?

Combined Science papers cover a range of topics. You’ll need a thorough understanding of each to achieve top marks, so make sure you revise any areas you find tricky ahead of the exams.

The main topics for Combined Science are:

Biology topics

• Cells and control

• Genetics

• Natural selection and genetic modification

• Health, disease and the development of medicines

• Plant structures and their functions

• Animal coordination, control and homeostasis

• Exchange and transport in animals

• Ecosystems and material cycles

Chemistry topics

• Key concepts in chemistry

• States of matter and mixtures

• Chemical change

• Extracting metals and equilibria

• Groups in the periodic table

• Rates of reaction and energy changes

• Fuels and Earth Science

Physics topics

• Key concepts of physics

• Motion and forces

• Conservation of energy

• Waves

• Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

• Radioactivity

• Energy – forces doing work

• Forces and their effects

• Electricity and circuits

• Magnetism and the motor effect

• Electromagnetic induction

• Particle model

• Forces and matter

Check out the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification to learn more.

What are examiners looking for?

The assessment objectives for GCSE Combined Science are set by Ofqual, the exams regulator, and are consistent across exam boards.

Examiners are looking for the following in your exam papers:

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas; scientific techniques and procedures

• AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas; scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures

• AO3: Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate; make judgments and draw conclusions; develop and improve experimental procedures