Loading your exam home
Combined Science · Learn
7 guides beyond the syllabus: strategy, test day, scoring and section guide.
Strategy
Where 9-9 candidates gain the marks others drop: exact keyword definitions, fully explained six-mark answers, zero-slip calculations with units, required-practical fluency and the Higher-only content. Includes a mock-driven plan to reach 80% on Higher papers.
Test day
What to bring (scientific calculator, ruler, protractor, pencils), how to use the periodic table and equation sheet, a pacing plan of about 1 mark per minute for 70-mark papers, and how to handle six papers spread over several weeks.
Scoring
How the 17-point 9-9 to 1-1 scale works, choosing Foundation or Higher tier, the June 2025 AQA boundaries (9-9 = 71%), how other boards and WJEC/CCEA A*A*–GG grading compare, and how marks are awarded (error carried forward, units, significant figures).
Section guide
High-frequency biology questions: cells and microscopy calculations, enzymes, disease and vaccination, photosynthesis graphs, hormones and genetics crosses. How to write the biology six-markers examiners reward.
Section guide
Balancing equations, Mr and mole calculations, bonding explanations, electrolysis products and half equations, rates graphs and tangents, and the analysis and atmosphere questions that close out Paper 2.
Section guide
The equations you must recall versus those on the sheet, a five-step calculation routine, motion and I–V graphs, half-life, waves and the motor effect, with a timing plan for maths-heavy papers.
Section guide
All 21 AQA required practicals and the Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA and Cambridge equivalents. For each: the method, variables, hazards, typical results and graph, the likely sources of error, and the improvements examiners accept.