GCSE Combined Science (9-1) Exam: free practice test
GCSE Combined Science is a double award worth two GCSEs, covering biology, chemistry and physics. With AQA (Trilogy 8464) it is assessed by six papers of 1 hour 15 minutes and 70 marks, two in each science, and you receive a two-number grade from 9-9 to 1-1. Exams are sat in the May/June series only.
Premium: 3,000 practice questions, 6 full mock exams, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes, topic by topic. See the study path ·
About the GCSE Combined Science exam
GCSE Combined Science is a double award worth two GCSEs, covering biology, chemistry and physics. With AQA (Trilogy 8464) it is assessed by six papers of 1 hour 15 minutes and 70 marks, two in each science, and you receive a two-number grade from 9-9 to 1-1. Exams are sat in the May/June series only.
What's on the exam
Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →
How to pass the GCSE Combined Science exam
- 70 marks in 75 minutes is just over 1 minute per mark. Short recall questions should take seconds, leaving time for 6-mark answers and calculations.
- There are 21 required practicals across the three sciences, and they are examined on the written papers. Learn the method, variables, risks and how to improve each one.
- Physics equations are printed on the equation sheet in 2027, but you still need to choose the right one, rearrange it and convert units such as kJ to J or minutes to seconds.
- Chemistry Paper 2 can draw on fundamental ideas from Paper 1 (atoms, bonding, moles), so keep revising Paper 1 chemistry after you have sat it.
- Your grade comes from the total across all six papers, so a weaker science can be balanced by a stronger one. Do not give up on any paper.
Save your results and get your Readiness Score
Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the GCSE Maths Formula Sheet.
What's in the premium GCSE Combined Science prep
Premium GCSE Combined Science prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1Cell Biology and Organisation8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Infection, Response and Bioenergetics8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Homeostasis, Inheritance and Ecology8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Atoms, Bonding and Quantitative Chemistry8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Chemical Changes and Energy Changes7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Rates, Organic Chemistry and Earth's Resources7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Energy, Electricity, Particles and Radioactivity7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Forces, Waves and Magnetism7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams50 questions each, timed like exam day. Hit your target on them before your first paper.Premium
Read the complete GCSE Combined Science study notes for “Cell Biology and Organisation”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 18 minutes of reading: Cell structure · Microscopy and magnification · Cell division and stem cells · Moving substances: diffusion, osmosis, active transport · Enzymes and digestion · Food tests · The heart, blood and blood vessels · Plant tissues and transport, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
Study tools included
3,000 practice questions
3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organised topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.
6 full mock exams
6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.
Exam Readiness Score
One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready for exam day. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.
800 flashcards + spaced repetition
800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.
60 comprehensive key notes
60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.
Mind maps
See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.
Sample questions with answers
These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.
1. Which cell structure is the site of protein synthesis?
2. In the food test for protein, what colour change shows a positive result with Biuret reagent?
3. What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?
4. How do white blood cells defend the body by making proteins that bind to specific antigens on a pathogen?
5. In pea plants, the allele for tall (T) is dominant to the allele for short (t). A Tt plant is crossed with a tt plant. What ratio of tall to short offspring is expected?
6. An atom of sodium has an atomic number of 11 and a mass number of 23. How many neutrons does it have?
7. What is the mass of 0.5 mol of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃? (Relative atomic masses: Ca = 40, C = 12, O = 16)
8. During the electrolysis of molten lead bromide, what forms at the negative electrode (cathode)?
9. Which statement about an exothermic reaction is correct?
10. Why does increasing the temperature increase the rate of a reaction?
11. What is the general formula of the alkanes?
12. A 6 Ω resistor and a 3 Ω resistor are connected in series to a 12 V supply. What is the current in the circuit?
13. A radioactive sample has an activity of 800 Bq. Its half-life is 3 hours. What is its activity after 9 hours?
14. A car of mass 1200 kg accelerates at 2.5 m/s². What is the resultant force on the car?
15. A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 4 m. What is its wave speed?
Get the full GCSE Combined Science prep
Premium Monthly
- One subject of your choice: any GCSE, A-level or Functional Skills exam
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: GCSE Maths formula sheet, command words cheat sheet, 12-week revision planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews monthly until you cancel. Cancel in two clicks from your account; you keep access until the end of the month you've paid for. No minimum term.
Premium Yearly
- One subject of your choice: any GCSE, A-level or Functional Skills exam
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: GCSE Maths formula sheet, command words cheat sheet, 12-week revision planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Exam guide
GCSE Combined Science exam guide (2027): GCSE Combined Science is the double award science GCSE taken by most students in England. It covers biology, chemistry and physics and is worth two GCSEs. This guide uses AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464), the most widely taken specification, and notes how Pearson Edexcel (1SC0) and OCR Gateway (J250) compare.
GCSE Combined Science exam FAQ
How many questions are on the GCSE Combined Science exam?
AQA Trilogy: 6 written papers (2 biology, 2 chemistry, 2 physics), 70 marks each (420 marks in total). Edexcel 1SC0 and OCR Gateway J250: 6 papers of 60 marks each, with a time limit of aqa: 7 hours 30 minutes in total (6 × 1 hour 15 minutes). edexcel and ocr gateway: 6 × 1 hour 10 minutes. Format: written exams, calculator allowed on every paper, and a physics equation sheet is provided with the physics papers in 2027. foundation tier (1-1 to 5-5) or higher tier (4-4 to 9-9, with an allowed 4-3); all six papers at the same tier.
What is the passing score for GCSE Combined Science?
Graded on a 17-point double scale from 9-9 to 1-1; 4-4 is a standard pass and 5-5 a strong pass. Boundaries are set after every exam series, so aim for 70% in practice.
How much does the GCSE Combined Science exam cost?
No fee for school and college students (the school pays). Private candidates pay the exam centre; fees vary by centre. School and college students don't pay exam fees themselves. Private candidates pay the exam centre, and fees vary by centre and board.
Which languages is the GCSE Combined Science exam offered in?
English.
Where do I take the GCSE Combined Science exam?
At your school or college, or as a private candidate at an exam centre that accepts them.
Is this GCSE Combined Science practice test free?
Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full GCSE Combined Science prep is Premium at £29 a month for this exam.
What's in the premium GCSE Combined Science prep?
3,000 practice questions organised topic by topic (Cell Biology and Organisation: 375; Infection, Response and Bioenergetics: 375; Homeostasis, Inheritance and Ecology: 375; Atoms, Bonding and Quantitative Chemistry: 375; Chemical Changes and Energy Changes: 375; Rates, Organic Chemistry and Earth's Resources: 375; Energy, Electricity, Particles and Radioactivity: 375; Forces, Waves and Magnetism: 375), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 50 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 8 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.
Compare GCSE Combined Science with the related qualifications
Related practice tests
GCSE Maths (9-1) Exam
GCSE Maths is the core maths qualification taken at 16 in England and a requirement for most college courses, apprenticeships and jobs.
GCSE English Language (9-1) Exam
GCSE English Language tests how well you read unseen fiction and non-fiction texts and how well you write for different purposes.
GCSE Biology (9-1) Exam
GCSE Biology is the separate-science biology GCSE, usually taken alongside GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics.
Exam details are summarised from the exam boards' published specifications available in November 2026. the exam boards changes formats and fees, so confirm with AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR before you book. Kennington College is not affiliated with any exam board or with Ofqual.