GCSE Science: Combined or Triple?

At GCSE, students take Science in one of two ways. Schools use different names, so here is what each one really means.

Combined Science ("double science")

• Counts as two GCSEs, with one joint grade from 9-9 down to 1-1 (for example 7-6).
• Covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but with less content in each.
• With AQA, the most common exam board: six papers of 1 hour 15 minutes.

Triple Science ("separate sciences")

• Counts as three GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, each graded 9 to 1.
• More topics and more depth in each science.
• With AQA: two papers per science (six in total), each 1 hour 45 minutes.

Things that are the same

• Both have Foundation (grades up to 5) and Higher (grades 4 to 9) tiers.
• Both include required practicals, which are tested in the written exams.
• Both include longer 6-mark questions.

Does it matter for A levels?

Many students go on to A level sciences from Combined Science. Triple Science gives a head start because more of the content is already covered. Check the entry rules of the sixth forms your child is interested in, as some ask for particular grades in each science.

Exam boards differ (AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR). Ask the school which board and which course your child is taking, so revision matches the right papers.