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Assessment
How Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Combined Science is assessed
It’s a double award, graded on a 17-grade scale from 9–9 to 1–1. Foundation tier covers 1–1 to 5–5 and Higher tier 4–4 to 9–9; a Higher student just below 4–4 can be awarded 4–3. All six papers are taken at the same tier, in May and June of one year.
Specification 1SC0, first examined in 2018. Reformed GCSEs are planned for first teaching from 2029, so exams in 2027 and 2028 use this one.
Foundation or Higher tier
Paper 1: Biology 1
Topics 1–5
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Paper 2: Biology 2
Topics 1 and 6–9
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Paper 3: Chemistry 1
Topics 1–4
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Paper 4: Chemistry 2
Topics 1 and 6–8
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Paper 5: Physics 1
Topics 1–6
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Paper 6: Physics 2
Topics 1, 8–10 and 12–15
- Time
- 1 h 10 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 16.67%
Each paper has six questions, mixing multiple choice, short answers, calculations and extended open responses. Calculators are allowed.
There is no coursework. You carry out 18 core practicals (six in each science), and exam questions test what you learned from them.
From the official Pearson Edexcel syllabus, checked October 2026. Read the syllabus
Syllabus content
What’s on the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science syllabus
Biology
- Key concepts in biology
- 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
- Key concepts in chemistry
- States of matter and mixtures
- Chemical changes
- Extracting metals and equilibria
- Groups in the periodic table
- Rates of reaction and energy changes
- Fuels and Earth science
Physics
- 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
Where marks are lost
Common Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science mistakes
Revising each Key concepts topic once.
Topic 1 of each science is on both of its papers, so it’s tested twice. Make sure units, cells, atoms and equations from Topic 1 are secure before the first exam.
Treating the equations sheet as the answer.
The sheet lists equations, not which one fits the question or how to rearrange it. Practise picking and rearranging equations so the sheet only saves you recalling them.
Forgetting control variables in core practical questions.
Name the independent variable (what you change), the dependent variable (what you measure) and at least one control variable, and say how you’d keep it the same.
Six science tutors, six ways to learn
Practise past-paper style questions with the exam coach, drill facts before a test with quick revision, or slow down with a step-by-step tutor. Switch any time.
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- TariqChallenger
- GraceConfidence builder
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FAQ
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions, answered.
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