Question 1

What are Edexcel GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks you need for each grade pair in Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (specification 1SC0). Combined Science is a double-award qualification, so you get two grades (a pair like 7-6 or 5-5) rather than one. Edexcel sets the boundaries once marking is complete for the whole cohort, based on how the papers scored and how past cohorts performed.

Question 2

Why is Combined Science graded as a pair (e.g. 7-6, 5-5)?

Accepted Answer

Combined Science counts as two GCSEs' worth of study but you sit fewer papers than a triple science student. To reflect the double weighting, Edexcel awards you a pair of grades that can be adjacent (like 7-6) or equal (like 5-5). The pair is decided by your total combined mark across all Combined Science papers.

Question 3

How do I know if I sat Higher or Foundation Combined Science?

Accepted Answer

Your school decides which tier to enter you for. Higher tier papers target grade pairs 9-9 down to 4-3 (with 3-3 as a safety net if you fall just short). Foundation tier targets 5-5 down to 1-1. If you're not sure which tier you sat, check your statement of entry or ask your teacher, since the paper's tier is printed on the front.

Question 4

When are Edexcel GCSE Combined Science boundaries published?

Accepted Answer

Edexcel normally publishes GCSE grade boundaries at 8am on GCSE results day, alongside the grades themselves. They land as one large PDF covering every GCSE subject that series.

We update this page shortly after Edexcel releases the boundaries.

Question 5

How should I use these boundaries when I'm revising?

Accepted Answer

Score your past papers realistically. Sit a Combined Science paper timed, mark it against the official mark scheme, and total your marks across all the papers your specification uses. Compare that total to the boundary for the grade pair you're targeting. A [Combined Science (Edexcel) revision course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/combined-science/edexcel) can help you plug specific topic gaps.

Question 6

Can I use Cognito for Edexcel GCSE Combined Science practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our [GCSE Combined Science (Edexcel) course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/combined-science/edexcel) covers all three sciences at combined-award depth with notes, quizzes and past papers. You can score your paper attempts against the mark scheme and cross-reference your totals to the boundaries on this page.

If you're closer to results day, our [past-papers library](https://cognito.org/past-papers) has the full set of Edexcel Combined Science papers.

Series	Max	Grade 9-9	Grade 9-8	Grade 8-8	Grade 8-7	Grade 7-7	Grade 7-6	Grade 6-6	Grade 6-5	Grade 5-5	Grade 5-4	Grade 4-4	Grade 4-3
Jun 2025Latest	360	284	269	255	241	227	207	187	167	147	127	107	97
Jun 2024	360	272	256	240	225	210	190	170	151	132	113	94	84
Jun 2023	360	279	265	251	237	223	203	183	163	144	125	106	96
Jun 2022	360	266	249	232	215	198	180	162	144	126	108	90	81

GCSE Combined Science Edexcel (Pearson) Grade Boundaries

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