GCSE science with AQA
Students take GCSE science in one of two ways. Combined Science counts as two GCSEs and covers biology, chemistry and physics together. The separate sciences are three GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Both routes are assessed with exams at the end of the course.
This page explains how they are set out and what to practise. Questions here are written for this site in the style of GCSE papers. They are not AQA papers.
How the exams are set out
| Paper | Time | Marks | Share of the grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Science: Trilogy, six papers (Biology 1 and 2, Chemistry 1 and 2, Physics 1 and 2) | 1 hour 15 minutes each | 70 marks each | A sixth of the grade each |
| Separate Biology, Chemistry or Physics, two papers each | 1 hour 45 minutes each | 100 marks each | Half of each GCSE |
- Both routes have Foundation and Higher tiers.
- Maths skills are tested in science papers, including rearranging equations and units.
- Equations such as density, force and energy calculations are worth knowing and practising.
Is your school using a different exam board? Compare AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
What you can practise here
Secondary Scholars has twelve science topics: cells, body systems, plants, states of matter, atoms, formula mass, moles, density, forces, electricity, energy and waves. Practicals and long written answers are not covered yet.
- Cells: Know the parts of animal and plant cells, what each does, and how specialised cells are adapted.
- Body systems: Know the organs of the human body and what they do, including digestion, breathing and the circulation.
- Plants: Know the parts of a plant and what they do, and the equations for photosynthesis and respiration.
- States of matter: Describe solids, liquids and gases using particles, and name the changes of state.
- Atoms: Work out protons, neutrons and electrons from atomic and mass numbers, shell patterns and ions.
- Formula mass: Work out relative formula mass from a formula and the percentage by mass of an element in a compound.
- Moles: Use moles, mass and relative formula mass, and work out the mass of a product from a reacting mass.
- Density: Use density = mass ÷ volume to find density, mass or volume, in several units.
- Forces: Use weight, force and acceleration, and find the resultant of forces acting in opposite directions.
- Electricity: Use potential difference, current, resistance, power and energy transferred.
- Energy: Calculate gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and efficiency, and link them in a falling object.
- Waves: Use wave speed, frequency, wavelength and time period, and work out distance from an echo.
How to practise
- Practise the calculation topics little and often: the working is the same each time, so speed comes with repetition.
- Read the explanation after every question to see the method and the units.
- Use the knowledge topics (cells, body, plants, states) to check recall before a test.
- Sit a mock paper in science to see which topics need work.
Common questions
- What is the difference between Combined Science and the separate sciences?
- Combined Science covers biology, chemistry and physics in one qualification worth two GCSEs. The separate sciences give three GCSEs, with more content and longer papers.
- How many exam papers does Combined Science have?
- Six, two each for biology, chemistry and physics. Each lasts 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Does science have tiers?
- Yes. Both Combined Science and the separate sciences have a Foundation tier and a Higher tier.
- Are the calculations on this site the same as in the exam?
- They use the same equations at a similar level, but the questions are original and written for this site. They are not AQA questions.
Exam details change. Always check the current specification on the exam board’s own website. Oakling Secondary Scholars is not connected with AQA.