GCSE Combined Science Flashcards

GCSE Combined Science is a double award worth two GCSEs, covering biology, chemistry and physics in one course. You get a double grade on a 17-point scale from 9-9 down to 1-1; the two numbers are always equal or next to each other, such as 6-6, 6-5 or 5-5.

There is a lot to remember across three sciences: definitions, equations, units and practical steps, which suits flashcards well. The boards teach the same core science in different orders and papers, so pick the deck tagged with your board (AQA Trilogy, Edexcel or OCR Gateway).

The Nextutor GCSE Combined Science flashcard library has 18 decks and 270 cards across 6 topics, including Cell Biology and Genetics, Atomic Structure and Bonding, Forces and Energy and more. Decks are tagged by exam board (AQA, Edexcel and OCR) so you can revise from the version that matches your course.

  • 18 decks
  • 270 cards
  • 6 topics
  • Exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR
  • Updated April 2026

Topics

How GCSE Combined Science is examined

  • AQA Trilogy, Edexcel and OCR Gateway each set six written papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each is worth about 16.7% of the qualification, and all are taken at the end of the course.
  • Tiered: Foundation covers grades 1-1 to 5-5 and Higher covers 4-4 to 9-9.
  • Students must complete at least 16 practical activities set by the board, and at least 15% of the marks test practical knowledge and skills.
  • Ofqual requires at least 20% of the total marks to test maths skills.
Exam boardPapers
AQA Trilogy846470 marks per paper
  • Biology 1: 1h 15m · cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics
  • Biology 2: 1h 15m · homeostasis and response, inheritance and evolution, ecology
  • Chemistry 1: 1h 15m · atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical and energy changes
  • Chemistry 2: 1h 15m · rates and equilibrium, organic chemistry, analysis, atmosphere, using resources
  • Physics 1: 1h 15m · energy, electricity, particle model, atomic structure
  • Physics 2: 1h 15m · forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism
Edexcel1SC060 marks per paper
  • Biology 1: 1h 10m · cells and control, genetics, natural selection, health and disease
  • Biology 2: 1h 10m · plants, homeostasis, exchange and transport, ecosystems
  • Chemistry 1: 1h 10m · states of matter, chemical changes, extracting metals, equilibria
  • Chemistry 2: 1h 10m · periodic table groups, rates and energy changes, fuels and Earth science
  • Physics 1: 1h 10m · motion and forces, energy, waves, electromagnetic spectrum, radioactivity
  • Physics 2: 1h 10m · work, forces, circuits, magnetism, induction, particle model
OCR GatewayJ25060 marks per paper
  • Biology (Paper 1 F / 7 H): 1h 10m · topics B1–B3
  • Biology (Paper 2 F / 8 H): 1h 10m · topics B4–B6, assumes B1–B3
  • Chemistry (Paper 3 F / 9 H): 1h 10m · topics C1–C3
  • Chemistry (Paper 4 F / 10 H): 1h 10m · topics C4–C6, assumes C1–C3
  • Physics (Paper 5 F / 11 H): 1h 10m · topics P1–P3
  • Physics (Paper 6 F / 12 H): 1h 10m · topics P4–P6, assumes P1–P3

AQA Synergy, OCR Twenty First Century Combined Science B, WJEC Eduqas and CCEA are not covered here.

Checked against the official specifications on 10 October 2026: AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) specification · AQA: 9 to 1 grading · Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) specification · OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway) J250 specification · Ofqual GCSE subject level conditions for combined science

How to revise GCSE Combined Science with flashcards

  1. Split your cards by paper, not just by science

    Each science has two papers covering different topics. Group your cards the same way, so you can focus on Biology 1 before that exam rather than revising all of biology at once.

  2. Give equations and units their own cards

    At least a fifth of the marks test maths skills, much of it in physics and chemistry calculations. Put each equation on one side and the quantities and units on the other, and test yourself both ways.

  3. Make a card for every required practical

    Practical knowledge is examined in the written papers. For each practical, write cards on the method, the variables, the equipment and likely sources of error.

  4. Keep earlier topics in rotation

    Some second papers assume you know the first. Keep reviewing your Paper 1 cards while you learn Paper 2 topics, so they don’t slip.

  5. Check your tier and stick to it

    Higher includes extra content. Ask your teacher which tier you are entered for, then make sure your cards cover the content for that tier.

Sample GCSE Combined Science flashcards

GCSE · Cell Biology and Genetics · AQA

What is a cell?

Show answer

The basic structural and functional unit of living organisms.

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GCSE · Atomic Structure and Bonding · AQA

What is an atom?

Show answer

The smallest unit of a chemical element.

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GCSE · Forces and Energy · AQA

What is a force?

Show answer

A push or pull that causes an object to change its motion.

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GCSE · Rates of Reaction and Organic Chemistry · AQA

What is a catalyst?

Show answer

A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up.

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GCSE · Electricity and Waves · AQA

What is electricity?

Show answer

Electricity is the flow of electrons.

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GCSE · Ecology and Photosynthesis · AQA

What is ecology?

Show answer

The study of living organisms and their environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is GCSE Combined Science worth two GCSEs?

Yes. It is a double award worth two GCSEs. You get one double grade made of two equal or adjacent numbers, such as 7-7 or 7-6, on a 17-point scale from 9-9 down to 1-1.

What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?

Foundation leads to grades 1-1 to 5-5 and Higher leads to 4-4 to 9-9, so grades 4-4 to 5-5 are available on both. If you don’t reach the lowest grade on your tier, you get a U.

How are the practicals assessed?

You carry out at least 16 practical activities set by your board. They aren’t marked as coursework; instead, at least 15% of the marks in the written exams test practical knowledge and skills.

Are these GCSE Combined Science flashcards free?

Yes — every deck in the Nextutor flashcard library is free. Create a free account to study the full decks and track your progress with spaced repetition.

Which GCSE Combined Science topics do the flashcards cover?

The library currently covers 6 topics: Cell Biology and Genetics; Atomic Structure and Bonding; Forces and Energy; Rates of Reaction and Organic Chemistry; Electricity and Waves; Ecology and Photosynthesis. New decks are added over time.

Which exam boards are the GCSE Combined Science flashcards for?

Decks are tagged for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Check the exam board tag against your specification — core content often overlaps between boards.

How many GCSE Combined Science flashcards are there?

There are 18 decks with 270 cards in total. Each card has a question on the front and the answer on the back.

Can I make my own AI GCSE Combined Science flashcards?

Yes — once you're signed in you can generate a GCSE Combined Science flashcard deck on any topic with AI in seconds, or build one card by card. Free accounts get a monthly AI generation quota.

Should I use flashcards or a Combined Science tutor?

Flashcards are good for memorising key facts, definitions and terms. A GCSE Combined Science tutor helps with understanding and exam technique, which flashcards alone can't cover — many students use both.