GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy including exams

Modules

Your course starts with two short units that cover everything you need to know about GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy, all about the exams, the practical activities and includes some great advice on how to successfully study online. 

Units 3 to 11 cover the Biology part of the course, and include the principles of biological science:

• Cell biology
• Organisation
• Infection and response
• Bioenergetics
• Homeostasis and response
• Inheritance, variation and evolution
• Ecology
• The Differences Between Living and Non-living Things
• Carbohydrates, Lipids and Proteins
• The Basic Concepts of DNA and Genetics

Moving on to Chemistry, units 12 to 22 cover the scientific discipline of understanding the elements, atoms, molecules and ions; the building blocks of the universe.  You will get the chance to study their composition, structure, properties and behaviours and the changes they undergo during chemical reactions. 

• Atomic structure and the periodic table 
• Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
• Quantitative chemistry  
• Chemical changes  
• Energy changes  
• The rate and extent of chemical change  
• Organic chemistry  
• Chemical analysis  
• Chemistry of the atmosphere  

Finally, the course is completed with the Physics section. Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behaviour through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves. is a diverse and ever-evolving subject. Physics has helped us understand everything from the human body to the natural world and climate change.  Physics opens doors to some of the most exciting, cutting-edge, rewarding jobs in the world. From cancer treatment to tackling climate change, gaming to robotics and artificial intelligence, physics and physicists are on the front line, helping to shape the future.  

In the physics part of your course, you will learn all about: 

• Forces and motion 
• Electricity 
• Waves 
• Energy resources and energy transfers 
• Solids, liquids and gases 
• Magnetism and electromagnetism 
• Radioactivity and particles 
• Astrophysics 

 At the end of your course are a set of mock exams. 

Entry Requirements

You must complete at least 50% of the course and pass the associated assignments before you are eligible to be entered for the exams.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes to complete the course is 18 months.

Assessment requirements

The assessment consists of written exams

Placement or Practical required

Practical assessments are required. You will need to find your own school or college to complete the practical assessments.

If placement or practical required, when?

Practical assessments must be completed before sitting the written exams.

Exams required

Tutors & Exams will provide the exam centre and oversee the examination process.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 3 months after receiving the result.

Extension Rules

£40 for six months, maximum of twice. If expired more than six months ago, or have already had two extensions, then they need to restart the course and pay again.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Assessment

You will be assessed regularly through assignments marked by your tutor and at the end with the mock exams.  

There are two tiers in GCSE combined science – foundation tier and higher tier.  The structure of the exams is the same for both tiers, but different exam papers are given.  You must take the same tier for all three parts of the triple award, and you must take all exams in the same exam series. 

About the biology exams 

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Cell biology; Organisation; Infections and response; and Bioenergetics). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 7 (Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

About the Chemistry exams  

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 5 (Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

Paper 2 assesses topics 6 to 10 (The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

 About the physics exams  

Paper 1 assesses topics 1 to 4 (Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

Paper 2 assesses topics 5 to 8 (Forces; Waves; Magnetism and Astrophysics). The exam is 1 hour, 15 minutes and worth 70 marks and 16.7% of the overall grade. 

All GCSE science (biology, chemistry, and physics) students need to complete practical experiments as part of their learning. Eight experiments in Biology and Chemistry; and ten in Physics area are required to equip students with essential practical knowledge and experiences, enable them to put theory into practice and helps develop skills for higher education.  Practical assessments are a mandatory part of the assessment process but do not count towards your final grade.  

We do not provide the practical assessments, although our content does cover them in detail. Therefore, you will need to find a school or college who will let you carry out the required practicals. This is likely to incur a cost. We recommend you contact your local schools and colleges to organise this as early as possible.  

Grades  

All six exams are combined to provide your overall score, and your final grade. 

If you take the foundation tier, you will be graded between grades 1 and 5.    

If you take the higher tier, you will be graded between grades 3 and 9.  

Tutors & Exams

Tutors and Exams provides examination and assessment facilities primarily aimed at private and home educated candidates.

Tutors and Exams currently have five examination centres located around the country: Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, St Neots Cambridgeshire and Wimbledon. All are approved for examination delivery by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

In addition to their examination centres they also have a dedicated Science laboratory based in Birmingham with the ability to deliver A Level Science practicals all year round and access to another Science laboratory located in London.

Qualifications

Once you've passed your eaxams, you will have achieved the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy which is worth two GCSEs.