What's the difference between separate and combined science?

Combined Science content contains the same specification statements as found in Separate Sciences. Therefore, these are identical in level and demand in both Combined and Separate Sciences and are examined as such. The extra content found in Separate Sciences is not more difficult but just extra topics.

What does combined science mean?

Combined Science, also known as Double Science GCSE, covers all three science subjects including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. However, it is a combined course that results in students receiving two GCSE qualifications, which is where the name "Double Science" comes from.

What is a separate science?

GCSE Separate Sciences (also known as Triple Award Science) is where students study all three sciences and end up with three GCSEs.

Does it matter if you do combined science?

Ultimately it does not matter much if you do Combined or Triple in terms of university level, as majority of universities accept GCSE Combined Science in place of Triple for their courses. It is still best to confirm this for your specific course and university.

Why should I take separate science?

GCSE Separate Sciences offers students a chance to gain a more in depth knowledge of Chemistry, Biology and Physics and to build on areas covered in combined Science in more detail as well as covering extra content.

How to pick your GCSE's. Should you do double (combined) or triple (Separate) science?

Why do people do combined science?

The main benefit of combined science courses is that it makes science more manageable for those who are not interested in pursuing a career where science is the main focus. It can also be useful for those who are interested in science but are not planning on pursuing it with their A-levels.

Can you get a 9 in combined science?

Students taking separate science GCSEs will get a grade from 9 to 1 for each subject, with 9 being the highest grade. Students studying combined science will receive an award worth two GCSEs, consisting of two equal or adjacent grades from 9 to 1 (9-9, 9-8, 8-8, 8-7, 7-7…to 1-1).

Is separate or combined science harder?

Combined Science content contains the same specification statements as found in Separate Sciences. Therefore, these are identical in level and demand in both Combined and Separate Sciences and are examined as such. The extra content found in Separate Sciences is not more difficult but just extra topics.

Why are there 2 grades for combined science?

Only the students who study the three sciences as separate subjects get three GCSEs, graded from graded from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest) for each. So if you study combined science, you'll get two GCSE grades because the course covers around two-thirds of the content in the single GCSEs for biology, chemistry and physics.

Does combined science count as 2 grades?

GCSE Combined Science students will receive a double grade on a 17-point scale, from 9-9 to 1-1. This double award is worth two GCSEs and is made up of two equal or adjacent grades. There are 17 possible grade combinations, for example, (9-9), (9-8), (8-8), (8-7) – through to (1-1).

How many papers do separate science do?

You will take a paper 1 and paper 2 in each discipline – 2 Biology papers, 2 Chemistry papers and 2 Physics papers.

What's the highest grade you can get in combined science?

Are you confident the student will attend and attempt all of the exam papers? The Foundation Tier allows students to access grades from 5-5 to 1-1. Higher Tier grades run from 9-9 to 4-4.

Does separate science mean triple science?

'Separate' Sciences – also known as 'Triple' – also cover all three disciplines, but the critical differential here is that this course is worth a whopping 3 GCSEs, rather than 2. Most Triple students will take Higher but it's worth noting that entrants can be put in for the Foundation equivalent…

Is Combined science one grade?

Combined Science is a double award GCSE which counts as two GCSEs. The grading scale is doubled, (there are double the marks) so students can achieve one of 17 grades: 9-9, 9-8, 8-8 through to 2-2, 2-1, and 1-1.

Is 43 in Combined science a pass?

For Combined Science this means that it would equate to a grade 4-4 being a standard pass. Remember that for Progress 8 measures, the two grades attained by a student in Combined Science are averaged, so a grade 4-3 would be averaged to a 3-5 and count towards two slots in the accountability measures.

What subjects are in combined science?

In combined science there should be a minimum of 30% of each of biology, chemistry and physics. These content sections also set out the depth of treatment for both teaching and learning. Awarding organisations' specifications should be designed to set out the level of understanding which pupils are expected to acquire.

Why is it called combined science?

In response, the Association for Science Education called for a broader and more balanced science education for students up to 16 years old. This resulted in the creation of the Double Science Award, now called Combined Sciences, which merged the three science subjects into two GCSEs.

How many tests do you do for combined science?

All pupils will follow one of two pathways at GCSE level. This includes either Combined Science or Triple Science which consists of GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Combined Science will consist of 6 examinations to be completed in June of Year 11.

Should my child do triple science?

If you're already thinking about university and careers and are interested in science-based degrees and jobs then it is definitely worth considering taking separate science GCSEs. Most top universities prefer applicants for science subjects to have taken the triple award option at GCSE.

Is Combined sciences easy?

The questions in combined science tend to be less complex and demanding, making it slightly easier for students to earn marks.

Which science class is the hardest?

Chemistry is often considered one of the hardest science classes in high school. It involves abstract ideas, challenging formulas, and requires a high level of lab precision.

How rare is a Grade 9?

In 2023, 4.9 percent of GSCE entries in the England were awarded the highest grade of 9, with a further 7.1 percent of entries being awarded an 8, the second-highest grade.

What grade is a 6?

Grade 7 is the equivalent of a grade A. Grade 6 is the equivalent of just above a grade B. Grade 5 is the equivalent of in between grades B and C. Grade 4 is the equivalent of a grade C.

What does 32 mean in combined science?

It seems that the way some schools/colleges have rendered results data for distribution means that the dash in the combined science grades has been left out. So if your son got a score of 32, it is probably 3-2. You can see where these sit on the full 17-point scale here.

How hard is triple science?

Although the content of triple science is not more difficult than the double science content, triple science students have a greater workload. The extra content covered in triple science just delves deeper into the content taught across both sciences.