WJECGCSE142 resourcesFoundation & Higher

WJEC GCSE Science (Double Award) Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free WJEC GCSE Science Double Award past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Biology, Chemistry and Physics combined. Foundation & Higher. 142 resources.

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Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 1 Higher: Biology 1 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 2 Higher: Chemistry 1 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 3 Higher: Physics 1 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 4 Higher: Biology 2 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 5 Higher: Chemistry 2 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Higher: Physics 2 Higher – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 4 Foundation: Biology 2 Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Higher: Physics 2 Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 5 Foundation: Chemistry 2 Foundation [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 1 Foundation: Biology 1 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 5 Foundation: Chemistry 2 Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 2 Foundation: Chemistry 1 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Foundation: Physics 2 Foundation [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 4 Foundation: Biology 2 Foundation [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Higher: Physics 2 Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 3 Foundation: Physics 1 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Foundation: Physics 2 Foundation [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 4 Foundation: Biology 2 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 1 Higher: Biology 1 Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 5 Foundation: Chemistry 2 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 1 Higher: Biology 1 Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 6 Foundation: Physics 2 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 2 Higher: Chemistry 1 Higher [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 2 Higher: Chemistry 1 Higher [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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Summer 2022

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GCSE Science Double – Unit 4 Foundation: Biology 2 Foundation – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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Six-Unit Combined Science Covering All Three Disciplines for Two GCSEs

WJEC GCSE Science (Double Award) covers biology, chemistry, and physics in a combined qualification worth two GCSEs. It uses a six-unit structure: two biology units, two chemistry units, and two physics units, each examined through a separate written paper lasting 1 hour 15 minutes and each worth one-sixth of the total mark. The six units are: Biology 1, Biology 2, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, Physics 1, and Physics 2. Each follows the same content split as the separate science GCSEs but at a slightly reduced depth. All units are tiered at Foundation (grades G–D, reported as GG–DD) and Higher (grades D–A*, reported as DD–A*A*). Results are awarded as a double grade (e.g., BB, BC, AA*). The content coverage is broadly parallel to the separate sciences. Biology covers cells, body systems, ecology, genetics, homeostasis, and micro-organisms. Chemistry covers atomic structure, bonding, reactions, acids, rates, energy, and organic chemistry. Physics covers electricity, energy, waves, forces, space, and radioactivity. The reduced depth mainly affects Higher-tier-only topics, which are less extensive than in the separate GCSEs. Science (Double Award) is the most popular science route in Welsh schools, as it provides broad scientific literacy across all three disciplines while leaving timetable space for other subjects. This archive contains 142 resources from Summer 2017 to Summer 2023.

Exam Paper Structure

Biology 1Calculator ✓

Cells, Organ Systems and Ecosystems

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
Cell biologyOrgan systemsEcosystems
Biology 2Calculator ✓

Variation, Homeostasis and Micro-organisms

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
Genetics and variationHomeostasisMicro-organisms
Chemistry 1Calculator ✓

Chemical Substances, Reactions and Resources

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
Atomic structureChemical bondingReactionsResources
Chemistry 2Calculator ✓

Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Organic Chemistry

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
Rates of reactionEnergy changesOrganic chemistry
Physics 1Calculator ✓

Electricity, Energy and Waves

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
CircuitsEnergyWaves
Physics 2Calculator ✓

Forces, Space and Radioactivity

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 marks📊 16.7% of grade
Forces and motionSpaceRadioactivity

Key Information

Exam BoardWJEC
QualificationGCSE
Grading ScaleA*A*–GG (double grade)
Assessment Type6 written papers
TiersFoundation (GG–DD) and Higher (DD–A*A*)
Biology Papers2 × 1 hr 15 min (Biology 1 & Biology 2)
Chemistry Papers2 × 1 hr 15 min (Chemistry 1 & Chemistry 2)
Physics Papers2 × 1 hr 15 min (Physics 1 & Physics 2)
WorthEquivalent to 2 GCSEs
Available SessionsSummer 2017 – Summer 2023
Total Resources142

Key Topics in Science (Double Award)

Topics you need to know

Cell biology and body systemsGenetics and inheritanceAtomic structure and chemical bondingChemical reactions and ratesElectrical circuits and energyForces, motion and wavesRadioactivity and space physics

Exam Command Words

Command wordWhat the examiner expects
DescribeState what happens in a process or what you observe — no explanation needed
ExplainGive reasons using scientific knowledge to say why or how something happens
CalculateFind the numerical answer using appropriate equations — show working and include units
CompareIdentify similarities and differences between two things — always address both
SuggestUse your scientific knowledge to propose an answer to an unfamiliar problem
EvaluateConsider the evidence and make a judgement, weighing strengths and limitations

Typical Grade Boundaries

GradeApproximate mark needed
Grade A*A*75–85%
Grade AA62–74%
Grade BB50–61%
Grade CC38–49%
Grade DD26–37%

⚠️ Typical Higher tier boundaries across all six papers combined. Results awarded as double grades. Actual boundaries vary by series.

Managing Six Papers Across Three Sciences and Prioritising High-Value Topics

Six separate papers is a significant exam load. Create a revision timetable that cycles through all three sciences rather than revising one subject for a week and then moving to the next. Spacing your revision across subjects improves long-term retention and prevents the common problem of being well-prepared for Biology but having forgotten Physics by exam day. Each paper is only 1 hour 15 minutes, which means questions are more direct than in the longer separate science papers. There is less room for extended working — you need to be efficient. Practise answering questions quickly and concisely. For calculation questions, show each step clearly but don't waste time writing sentences around your mathematics. Identify the highest-value topics in each science. In Biology, genetics (Punnett squares, inheritance) and ecology (food webs, sampling) come up frequently. In Chemistry, bonding, balancing equations, and acids feature in almost every paper. In Physics, circuits (V=IR, series vs parallel) and energy calculations are perennial favourites. These topics appear so consistently that secure knowledge of them guarantees a solid foundation of marks across all six papers. The tier choice applies across all six papers — you sit Foundation or Higher for all of them, not a mix. If you're borderline between tiers, practise with both Foundation and Higher papers from the same series. Foundation papers tend to guide you through questions step by step, while Higher papers present problems with less scaffolding and expect you to choose your own approach.

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