GCSE/IGCSE Combined Science Including Exams

GCSE/IGCSE Combined Science Including Exams

The word "science" probably brings to mind many different images: a fat textbook, white lab coats and microscopes, an astronomer peering through a telescope, a naturalist in the rainforest, Einstein's equations scribbled on a chalkboard, the launch of a space shuttle, bubbling beakers …. all of those images reflect some aspect of science, but none of them provides a full picture because science is such a broad subject. 

In addition to knowledge in the field of Science, you will develop transferable skills including:

• Development of scientific thinking
• Experimental skills and strategies
• Analysis and evaluation
• Scientific vocabulary, quantities, units, symbols and nomenclature

All about Science:

• Science is both knowledge and a process. 
• Science is discovery. 
• Science is useful. 
• Science is ongoing. 
• Science will never be "finished."
• Science is a global human endeavour. People all over the world participate in the process of science. And you can too!

Our GCSE/iGCSE Combined Science including exams courses is a starting point for every career in science-related fields.  Our course combines the requirements for both GCSE and IGCSE, and you can choose which one you wish to take when you book your exam.

Combined science covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  Read on to find out about each subject in more detail.

Further study after GCSE or IGCSE is A-Level, IA-Level, degree level and beyond. Qualifications in science can lead to hundreds of different exciting and rewarding careers.

Modules

Your course starts with two short units that cover everything you need to know about Combined Science, all about the exams, the differences between GCSE and IGCSE, and the practical activities and includes some great advice on how to successfully study online.  There are details on the exams and how they are structured, as well as links to the qualification specifications.

Units 3 to 11 cover the Biology part of the course, and include the principles of biological science:

• Cell Biology
• Organisation
• Infection and response
• Bioenergetics
• Homeostasis and response
• Inheritance, variation and evolution
• Ecology
• The Differences Between Living and Non-living Things
• Carbohydrates, Lipids and Proteins
• The Basic Concepts of DNA and Genetics

Moving on to Chemistry, units 12 to 22 cover the scientific discipline of understanding the elements, atoms, molecules and ions; the building blocks of the universe.  You will get the chance to study their composition, structure, properties and behaviours and the changes they undergo during chemical reactions. 

• Atomic structure and the periodic table 
• Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
• Quantitative chemistry  
• Chemical changes  
• Energy changes  
• The rate and extent of chemical change  
• Organic chemistry  
• Chemical analysis  
• Chemistry of the atmosphere  

Finally, the course is completed with the Physics section. Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behaviour through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves. is a diverse and ever-evolving subject. Physics has helped us understand everything from the human body to the natural world and climate change.  Physics opens doors to some of the most exciting, cutting-edge, rewarding jobs in the world. From cancer treatment to tackling climate change, gaming to robotics and artificial intelligence, physics and physicists are on the front line, helping to shape the future.  

In the physics part of your course, you will learn all about: 

• Forces and motion 
• Electricity 
• Waves 
• Energy resources and energy transfers 
• Solids, liquids and gases 
• Magnetism and electromagnetism 
• Radioactivity and particles 
• Astrophysics 

 At the end of your course are a set of mock exams for GCSE and a set for IGCSE.

Entry Requirements

You must complete at least 50% of the course and pass the associated assignments before you are eligible to be entered for the exams.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes to complete the course is 18 months.

Assessment requirements

The assessment consists of written exams

Placement or Practical required

GCSE: Previously passed practical assessments are required. If you have not previously passed the practicals you will take iGCSE.

Exams required

One of our exam partners will provide the exam centre and oversee the examination process. Should you choose to sit at a centre that is not on our partners list, you will be charged the exam centre finder fee.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners will choose between GCSE and iGCSE when booking their exams. Full details of both are in the course.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 3 months after receiving the result.

Extension Rules

You may extend this course once for a maximum of twelve months.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before exams can be booked.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

You will be assessed regularly through assignments marked by your tutor and at the end with the mock exams.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You will be unable to book your exam until all outstanding course fees are settled in full, this includes any associated charges deemed to be payable as per your initial contract.

All courses funded via our partner Premium Credit Limited, will need to be settled with them directly.

GCSE Combined Science

There are two tiers in GCSE combined science – the foundation tier and the higher tier.  The structure of the exams is the same for both tiers, but different exam papers are given.  You must take the same tier for all three parts of the triple award, and you must take all six exams in the same exam series.

About the biology exams

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Cell biology; Organisation; Infections and response; and Bioenergetics). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 7 (Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

About the Chemistry exams

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 5 (Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

Paper 2 assesses topics 6 to 10 (The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

About the physics exams

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 8 (Forces; Waves; Magnetism and Astrophysics). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade.

All GCSE science (biology, chemistry, and physics) students need to have completed the practical experiments prior to taking the exams.  If you have not previously taken the science practical assessments, then you must sit the IGCSE Combined Science.

We do not provide the practical assessments, although our content does cover them in detail. Therefore, you will need to find a school or college who will let you carry out the required practicals. This is likely to incur a cost. We recommend you contact your local schools and colleges to organise this as early as possible.

Grades

All six exams are combined to provide your overall score, and your final grade. 

If you take the foundation tier, you will be graded between grades 1 and 5.    

If you take the higher tier, you will be graded between grades 3 and 9.  

IGCSE Combined Science

There are three exams in IGCSE Combined Science:

Biology

This is a two-hour written examination marked by Pearson. It has a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. The questions will cover:

1. The nature and variety of living organisms
2. Structures and functions in living organisms
3. Reproduction and inheritance
4. Ecology and the environment
5. Use of biological resources

It is worth 110 marks and makes up a third of your final grade.

Chemistry

This is a two-hour written examination marked by Pearson. It has a mixture of different question styles, including multiple choice, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. The questions will cover:

1. Principles of chemistry
2. Inorganic chemistry
3. Physical chemistry
4. Organic chemistry

It is worth 110 marks and makes up a third of your final grade.

Physics

This is a two-hour written examination marked by Pearson. It has a mixture of different question styles, including multiple choice, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. The questions will cover:

1. Forces and motion
2. Electricity
3. Waves
4. Energy resources and energy transfers
5. Solids, liquids and gases
6. Magnetism and electromagnetism
7. Radioactivity and particles
8. Astrophyscs

It is worth 110 marks and makes up a third of your final grade.

Grades

Based on the overall mark, students will be awarded a grade. The grades available range from 9 to 1, where 9 is the highest grade.

Once you've passed your exams, you will have achieved either the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy; or the Pearson International GCSE Combined Science. Both qualifications are worth two GCSEs.

Tutors & Exams

Tutors and Exams provides examination and assessment facilities primarily aimed at private and home educated candidates.

Tutors and Exams currently have five examination centres located around the country: Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, St Neots Cambridgeshire and Wimbledon. All are approved for examination delivery by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

In addition to their examination centres they also have a dedicated Science laboratory based in Birmingham with the ability to deliver A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another Science laboratory located in London.

Once you've passed your exams, you will have achieved either the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy; or the Pearson International GCSE Combined Science. Both qualifications are worth two GCSEs.

Frequently Asked Questions