GCSE Combined Science 2027: papers, exam dates, double grades and grade boundaries

How GCSE Combined Science grades work

Combined Science gives one grade made of two numbers, on a 17-step scale from 9-9 down to 1-1. A 6-5 sits between 6-6 and 5-5. Ofqual's rules set what each tier can award:

• Foundation: 1-1 up to 5-5.
• Higher: 4-4 up to 9-9, or 4-3 if you fall a few marks short of 4-4.
• Unclassified (U) if you miss the lowest grade on your tier.

The grade comes from your total across all six papers, not a separate grade per science. So strong physics marks can make up for weaker biology.

GCSE Combined Science papers

AQA also offers Combined Science: Synergy (8465), with four papers that mix the sciences. Ask your teacher which specification and tier you are entered for.

GCSE Combined Science exam dates 2027

The six-paper specifications all use the same mornings, according to the final timetables from AQA, Edexcel and OCR.

OCR Twenty First Century uses 11 May (biology), 17 May (chemistry), 25 May (physics) and 10 June (combined science). Results day is Thursday 19 August 2027, and entries close on 21 February 2027 (JCQ).

Equation sheet in 2027

You don't need to memorise the physics equations in 2027. AQA confirms its Physics Equations Sheet comes with both Trilogy physics papers and all four Synergy papers, the same sheet as in 2026, and Ofqual has decided the sheets continue from 2028. There is no sheet for the biology or chemistry papers, though you get a periodic table.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries

These are the main June 2026 boundaries (AQA, Edexcel and OCR). They change every year.

On AQA Trilogy Higher, 4-4 took 111 and 4-3 took 101. Say your mock total on AQA Trilogy Higher is 200: that is a 6-6, and 7-6 started at 208, only 8 marks away across six papers.

Required practicals and maths

You complete at least 16 practical activities, and at least 15% of the marks test practical knowledge. At least 20% of the marks test maths, split between biology, chemistry and physics in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3, so physics carries the most maths.

Worked examples across the three sciences

We wrote these questions for this guide.

Biology: mean rate

Question: pondweed gives off 36 cm³ of oxygen in 3 minutes. Find the mean rate of photosynthesis. Mean rate = 36 ÷ 3 = 12 cm³/min. Always give the unit: volume per time.

Chemistry: relative formula mass

Question: find Mr for sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄ (Ar: H = 1, S = 32, O = 16). Mr = (2 × 1) + 32 + (4 × 16) = 98. Multiply each Ar by the small number after it. Check with the Molar Mass Calculator.

Physics: force, mass and acceleration

Question: a 1,200 kg car accelerates at 2.0 m/s². Find the resultant force. F = ma = 1,200 × 2.0 = 2,400 N. The equation is on the 2027 sheet; your job is knowing it applies to the resultant force. Try one from our Laws of Motion course and press Mark.

Revision and common mistakes

• Revise all three sciences. The grade comes from your total, so a neglected science costs as much as any other.
• Use past papers. They are free from AQA, Edexcel and OCR, though the newest are often kept back for mocks.
• Give units with every calculated answer.
• Learn the key words exactly: "denatured", not "killed"; "released", not "made", for energy.
• Read the command word. "Describe" wants what happens; "explain" wants why.

Use a daily paper as a short timed mock

Year 11 mocks run through the winter. Between them, sit today's Combined Science Foundation or Higher paper, which mixes all three sciences. For dates and whether mocks count, see the GCSE mocks guide. Our GCSE Combined Science mock paper page compares the daily paper with the real exam and shows how to sit it.

Read next

UK · GCSEGCSE Science Mock Exam: Free Combined Science Mock PaperA free GCSE combined science mock paper every day at Higher or Foundation: a short science mock exam mixing biology, chemistry and physics, Trilogy too.