Aim

Approximately 50% of students are completing a double award GCSE in combined science. This has slightly less content than the above separate sciences, so the exams are shorter. If successful, each student will be awarded two GCSEs. This will be an average grade in the three sciences. 
Combined science exams are all taken at the end of Year 11.
The GCSE science courses comprise two tiers of entry. Higher (Grades 9–4) and foundation (Grades 5–1). 9 is the highest grade available. The course is made up of 24 units of work which are all examined at the end of Year 11 and there is no coursework aspect to the course. 

Assessment

Six examinations at the end of Year 11 which count for 100% of the total GCSE: 

• Biology paper one = 50% (units 1-4)
• Biology paper two = 50% (units 5-7)
• Chemistry paper one = 50% (units 1-5)
• Chemistry paper one = 50% (units 6-10) 
• Physics paper one = 50% (units 1-4)
• Physics paper two = 50% (units 5-7)