AQAGCSE393 resourcesFoundation & Higher

AQA GCSE Combined Science Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (8464) past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Foundation & Higher tiers. 375 resources from 2018 to 2024.

📅June 2018 – June 2024📄393 resources available✅Free to download
PapersOverviewPaper StructureKey InfoKey TopicsCommand WordsGrade BoundariesRevision TipsTry AI Tutor ✦

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393 of 393 resources — page 1 of 16

June 2023

6 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 4 – June 2023

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 24pt) (Foundation) : Paper 3 – June 2023

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 24pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Physics – June 2023

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 – June 2023

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – June 2023

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Chemistry – June 2023

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June 2022

4 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 4 – June 2022

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 – June 2022

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – June 2022

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Chemistry – June 2022

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November 2021

4 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 3 – November 2021

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 4 – November 2021

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 – November 2021

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – November 2021

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November 2020

5 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 4 – November 2020

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 3 – November 2020

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 – November 2020

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – November 2020

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Chemistry – November 2020

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June 2019

3 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – June 2019

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Chemistry – June 2019

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Biology – June 2019

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June 2018

3 files
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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Physics – June 2018

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 2 Chemistry – June 2018

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GCSE Science – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (Higher) : Paper 1 Biology – June 2018

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About AQA GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy)

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (specification code 8464) is the double award science qualification taken by the majority of GCSE students in England. It is worth two GCSEs, graded on a two-digit scale from 1-1 to 9-9, reflecting combined performance across biology, chemistry, and physics content. The qualification is assessed through six exams — two biology papers, two chemistry papers, and two physics papers. Each paper lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 70 marks, giving a total of 420 marks across the six papers. All papers are available at Foundation (grades 1-1 to 5-5) and Higher (grades 4-4 to 9-9) tiers. A periodic table is provided with chemistry papers and an equations sheet with physics papers. The biology content is broadly equivalent to the first five topics of the separate Biology GCSE — Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and Response, Bioenergetics, and Homeostasis. The chemistry content covers Atomic Structure, Bonding, Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes, Energy Changes, Rate and Extent of Chemical Change, Organic Chemistry, and Chemical Analysis. The physics content includes Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure, Forces, and Waves. Required practicals are embedded throughout all six papers, accounting for around 15% of marks. Students take the same required practicals as separate science students but sometimes at reduced depth. There is no coursework or controlled assessment — all marks come from the six written papers. The two GCSE grades awarded are calculated from the total of all six papers, weighted equally across the three sciences.

Exam Paper Structure

Biology Paper 1Calculator ✓

Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and Bioenergetics

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
Cell biologyOrganisationInfection and responseBioenergetics
Biology Paper 2Calculator ✓

Homeostasis, Inheritance, Variation and Ecology

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
Homeostasis and responseInheritance, variation and evolutionEcology
Chemistry Paper 1Calculator ✓

Atomic Structure, Bonding, Quantitative Chemistry and Energy

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
Atomic structureBonding and structureQuantitative chemistryChemical changesEnergy changes
Chemistry Paper 2Calculator ✓

Rate and Equilibrium, Organic Chemistry, Analysis and Resources

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
Rate of reactionOrganic chemistryChemical analysisChemistry of the atmosphereUsing resources
Physics Paper 1Calculator ✓

Energy, Electricity, Particle Model and Atomic Structure

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
EnergyElectricityParticle model of matterAtomic structure
Physics Paper 2Calculator ✓

Forces, Waves and Magnetism

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 17% of grade
ForcesWavesMagnetism and electromagnetism

Key Information

Exam BoardAQA
Specification Code8464
QualificationGCSE
Grading Scale9-9 to 1-1 (double award)
Assessment Type6 written exams: 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry, 2 Physics (no coursework)
TiersFoundation (1-1 to 5-5) and Higher (4-4 to 9-9)
Number Of Papers6
Exam Duration1 hour 15 minutes per paper
Total Marks420 (70 per paper)
Calculator StatusCalculators permitted on all papers
Available SessionsJune 2018 – June 2024
Total Resources375

Key Topics in Science

Topics you need to know

Cell biology and organisationInfection, response and bioenergeticsHomeostasis, inheritance and ecologyAtomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistryChemical changes, energy and rate of reactionEnergy, electricity and particle modelForces, waves and magnetism

Exam Command Words

Command wordWhat the examiner expects
CalculateWork out a numerical answer using given data, showing all working
DescribeState what happens or what you observe
ExplainGive reasons why something happens, using scientific knowledge
EvaluateUse evidence to assess strengths, limitations and reach a conclusion
CompareIdentify similarities and differences between two processes, substances or structures
SuggestApply your knowledge to an unfamiliar context to propose a reason
PredictState an expected outcome based on patterns or scientific understanding

Typical Grade Boundaries

GradeApproximate mark needed
Grade 9-978–88%
Grade 8-866–77%
Grade 7-754–65%
Grade 6-646–53%
Grade 5-538–45%
Grade 4-429–37%

⚠️ Combined Science is graded on a double scale (9-9 to 1-1). Typical Higher tier combined percentages across all six papers (420 total marks). Actual boundaries vary — check AQA's website.

How to Use AQA GCSE Combined Science Past Papers Effectively

With six papers to prepare for, combined science revision requires careful planning. The most efficient approach is to prioritise by paper: do not try to revise all six simultaneously. Work through each science in turn, completing the relevant past papers before moving on. This gives you focused practice and clear feedback on each subject area. Each paper has a recognisable structure: a few short-answer recall questions, several calculation or analysis questions, and usually a 6-mark extended response. The 6-mark questions appear on every paper and are worth revising specifically — they follow a consistent format across biology (explain how), chemistry (describe and explain a process), and physics (justify a decision with reference to data). Required practical questions are among the most predictable marks in Combined Science. Know the method, equipment, variables (independent, dependent, control), and a common source of error for each required practical. These questions are often the same year after year in structure, even if the scenario changes. When checking your work against mark schemes, pay attention to the 'accept' and 'do not accept' guidance. AQA mark schemes are specific about phrasing for some answers — particularly in biology, where 'energy is released' might be acceptable but 'energy is created' would not score.

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