What are the GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?

The boundaries depend on the exam board, specification and tier. For example, AQA Trilogy Higher required $298$ marks out of $420$ for $9$-$9$ and $111$ for $4$-$4$ in June 2026. AQA Foundation required $276$ for $5$-$5$ and $62$ for $1$-$1$. Use the table for your exact qualification.

What does a Combined Science grade such as $6$-$5$ mean?

It is one double-award result worth two GCSEs. The grades are awarded from the total performance across the Combined Science qualification and are not separate Biology and Chemistry grades.

When was GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

GCSE results day 2026 was Thursday 20 August 2026. Your school or college decided the collection time and whether results were also available online.

Can Foundation tier Combined Science award a grade above $5$-$5$?

No. Foundation tier normally offers grades from $1$-$1$ to $5$-$5$. Students aiming for grades above $5$-$5$ normally need to sit Higher tier.

What is the Higher tier safety-net grade?

Higher tier normally targets grades from $4$-$4$ to $9$-$9$. A student who narrowly misses the $4$-$4$ boundary may receive $4$-$3$. A mark below the safety-net threshold is normally unclassified.

Do Combined Science grade boundaries apply separately to each paper?

No. The final grade is based on the combined qualification total. Any paper-level boundaries published by an awarding organisation are usually notional and should not be treated as separate official grades.

GCSE Combined Science Grade Boundaries 2026

GCSE Combined Science results are awarded as a double grade, such as $7$ - $7$ , $6$ - $5$ or $4$ - $4$ . Your examination board adds the marks from the Biology, Chemistry and Physics papers, then compares the total with the boundary for your qualification and tier.

The GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026 are available for the June 2026 examination series. This article explains the confirmed boundaries, how to read your result on GCSE Combined Science results day, and why you must use the table for the correct exam board and specification.

What is a GCSE Combined Science grade boundary?

A grade boundary is the minimum number of raw marks required to achieve a particular grade. For example, if the boundary for $6$ - $6$ is $188$ marks, a student with $188$ marks receives at least $6$ - $6$ , while a student with $187$ marks does not reach that boundary.

Grade boundaries are set after exams have been sat and marked. This allows the awarding organisation to consider the difficulty of the papers and the performance of the cohort. Boundaries are not fixed percentages, and they can change between exam series.

A higher boundary does not necessarily mean that the qualification was more difficult. If a paper was easier than the previous year, more marks may be needed for the same grade. If it was harder, the boundary may be lower. The aim is to maintain a comparable standard from year to year.

GCSE Combined Science grades explained

Combined Science is also known as double award science because it is worth two GCSEs. You receive two grades, but they represent one Combined Science qualification rather than separate grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

The two grades must be equal or adjacent. There are $17$ possible combinations.

A result such as $6$ - $5$ is a normal Combined Science result. A combination such as $7$ - $4$ cannot be awarded because the grades are not adjacent. If the grades differ, the higher grade is written first. The numbers do not identify particular sciences; $6$ - $5$ is the overall result from the complete assessment.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: AQA Trilogy

The following are the confirmed AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy boundaries for June 2026. The qualification code is $8464$ , and the maximum mark is $420$ across six papers. The figures are the minimum overall raw marks for each double grade.

Double grade	Foundation $8464$ F	Higher $8464$ H
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$298$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$280$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$262$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$245$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$228$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$208$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$188$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$168$
$5$ - $5$	$276$	$149$
$5$ - $4$	$257$	$130$
$4$ - $4$	$238$	$111$
$4$ - $3$	$208$	$101$
$3$ - $3$	$178$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$149$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$120$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$91$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$62$	Not available

These are qualification-level boundaries. Do not apply a boundary separately to each Biology, Chemistry or Physics paper. Component figures published by an exam board may be described as notional and are not separate official grades.

Use the AQA GCSE Combined Science revision hub and AQA Combined Science revision guides when preparing for exams or a resit.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: Edexcel

Pearson Edexcel Combined Science has qualification code $1 S C 0$ and a maximum of $360$ marks. The June 2026 overall boundaries are shown below.

Double grade	Foundation $1 S C 0$ F	Higher $1 S C 0$ H
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$282$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$266$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$251$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$236$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$221$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$202$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$183$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$164$
$5$ - $5$	$231$	$145$
$5$ - $4$	$212$	$126$
$4$ - $4$	$194$	$108$
$4$ - $3$	$168$	$99$
$3$ - $3$	$142$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$116$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$91$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$66$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$41$	Not available

The maximum mark differs from AQA, so a Pearson boundary must not be transferred to an AQA qualification. Different assessment structures and maximum marks mean that two boards can require different raw marks for the same double grade.

For a board-specific explanation, see the Edexcel Combined Science grade boundaries guide.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: OCR

OCR offers more than one Combined Science specification. The two commonly encountered qualifications are Combined Science A: Gateway Science, code $J 250$ , and Combined Science B: Twenty First Century Science, code $J 260$ . Both use a maximum of $360$ marks, but their boundaries differ.

Double grade	OCR $J 250$ Foundation	OCR $J 250$ Higher	OCR $J 260$ Foundation	OCR $J 260$ Higher
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$275$	Not available	$257$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$261$	Not available	$244$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$248$	Not available	$231$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$235$	Not available	$218$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$222$	Not available	$206$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$205$	Not available	$189$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$188$	Not available	$172$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$171$	Not available	$155$
$5$ - $5$	$209$	$154$	$218$	$139$
$5$ - $4$	$191$	$137$	$203$	$123$
$4$ - $4$	$174$	$121$	$187$	$107$
$4$ - $3$	$153$	$113$	$171$	$99$
$3$ - $3$	$132$	Not available	$155$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$111$	Not available	$139$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$90$	Not available	$123$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$69$	Not available	$97$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$48$	Not available	$51$	Not available

Use the specification code confirmed by your school or printed on your results information. You can also read the OCR GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries guide.

Foundation and higher tier

The tier you took controls the grades that can normally be awarded:

Foundation tier normally offers grades from $1$ - $1$ up to $5$ - $5$ .
Higher tier normally offers grades from $4$ - $4$ up to $9$ - $9$ .
Higher-tier students may receive $4$ - $3$ as a safety-net grade if they narrowly miss $4$ - $4$ .
A higher-tier mark below the safety-net threshold results in a $U$ , or unclassified result.

Foundation tier cannot award grades above $5$ - $5$ . A student aiming for $6$ - $6$ or higher must normally be entered for Higher tier, although the school makes the entry decision before the exams.

Do not compare a Foundation mark directly with a Higher mark. The papers are different, and the percentage of marks needed for a grade can vary between boards, tiers and years.

What happens on GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

GCSE results day 2026 was Thursday 20 August 2026. Exam boards published the June 2026 grade-boundary documents on results day, while schools and colleges received results before students so they could prepare for collection.

Your school or college decides the collection time and whether results are also available online. If you cannot attend, follow the school’s instructions about authorising someone else or receiving results electronically.

When you receive your result:

Confirm that it says Combined Science, rather than separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs.
Check the two grades together as one double award.
Identify your exam board, specification code and tier.
Find your total raw mark if it is included, or ask your exams officer.
Compare it with the correct official boundary table.
Speak to your school before requesting a clerical check or review of marking.

A review of marking can lead to marks and grades rising, staying the same or falling. Your school can explain the available post-results services and whether one is appropriate.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using last year's boundary

Previous boundaries show the general scale of marks, but they cannot determine the result for a new series. Paper difficulty and awarding evidence change each year.

Checking the wrong qualification

AQA Trilogy, AQA Synergy, Edexcel, OCR Gateway and OCR Twenty First Century are not interchangeable. Check the specification code, tier and exam series.

Treating the two grades as separate sciences

A result such as $5$ - $4$ is calculated from the overall Combined Science qualification. It is not a Biology grade and a Chemistry grade.

Turning boundaries into fixed percentages

There is no universal percentage that guarantees $4$ - $4$ or $5$ - $5$ . Use raw marks and the official table for your exact qualification.

Using notional paper boundaries as official grades

For a linear GCSE, the final grade is awarded using the overall qualification total. Notional component boundaries may help you understand individual paper performance, but they do not replace the overall boundary.

Preparing for future science or maths exams

If you are continuing with science or preparing for a resit, begin with your mark breakdown rather than revising every topic equally. Identify whether your difficulty was scientific knowledge, calculations, required practicals, interpreting data or applying ideas to unfamiliar situations.

Maths skills are important in Combined Science. Percentages, standard form, rearranging formulae, ratios, gradients and interpreting graphs can affect science marks. MathsGenie’s GCSE Maths revision resources can help strengthen these skills.

For science exam practice, use the AQA Combined Science past papers, revision lessons and mark schemes. Complete papers under timed conditions, then use the mark scheme to identify why marks were awarded or missed. The GCSE predicted papers provide additional exam-style practice after you have finished available past papers.

Key points to remember

The confirmed GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026 depend on your exam board, specification and tier. Combined Science produces one double award made from equal or adjacent grades, based on the total marks from the qualification rather than separate marks for each science.

On GCSE Combined Science results day, check your qualification code and total mark before interpreting the result. MathsGenie’s board-specific boundaries guides, revision lessons, practice questions, past papers and mark schemes can help you understand your result and plan your next revision step.

Sources and referenced URLs

What is a GCSE Combined Science grade boundary?

GCSE Combined Science grades explained

The two grades must be equal or adjacent. There are $17$ possible combinations.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: AQA Trilogy

Double grade	Foundation $8464$ F	Higher $8464$ H
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$298$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$280$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$262$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$245$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$228$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$208$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$188$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$168$
$5$ - $5$	$276$	$149$
$5$ - $4$	$257$	$130$
$4$ - $4$	$238$	$111$
$4$ - $3$	$208$	$101$
$3$ - $3$	$178$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$149$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$120$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$91$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$62$	Not available

Use the AQA GCSE Combined Science revision hub and AQA Combined Science revision guides when preparing for exams or a resit.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: Edexcel

Pearson Edexcel Combined Science has qualification code $1 S C 0$ and a maximum of $360$ marks. The June 2026 overall boundaries are shown below.

Double grade	Foundation $1 S C 0$ F	Higher $1 S C 0$ H
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$282$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$266$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$251$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$236$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$221$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$202$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$183$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$164$
$5$ - $5$	$231$	$145$
$5$ - $4$	$212$	$126$
$4$ - $4$	$194$	$108$
$4$ - $3$	$168$	$99$
$3$ - $3$	$142$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$116$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$91$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$66$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$41$	Not available

For a board-specific explanation, see the Edexcel Combined Science grade boundaries guide.

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: OCR

Double grade	OCR $J 250$ Foundation	OCR $J 250$ Higher	OCR $J 260$ Foundation	OCR $J 260$ Higher
$9$ - $9$	Not available	$275$	Not available	$257$
$9$ - $8$	Not available	$261$	Not available	$244$
$8$ - $8$	Not available	$248$	Not available	$231$
$8$ - $7$	Not available	$235$	Not available	$218$
$7$ - $7$	Not available	$222$	Not available	$206$
$7$ - $6$	Not available	$205$	Not available	$189$
$6$ - $6$	Not available	$188$	Not available	$172$
$6$ - $5$	Not available	$171$	Not available	$155$
$5$ - $5$	$209$	$154$	$218$	$139$
$5$ - $4$	$191$	$137$	$203$	$123$
$4$ - $4$	$174$	$121$	$187$	$107$
$4$ - $3$	$153$	$113$	$171$	$99$
$3$ - $3$	$132$	Not available	$155$	Not available
$3$ - $2$	$111$	Not available	$139$	Not available
$2$ - $2$	$90$	Not available	$123$	Not available
$2$ - $1$	$69$	Not available	$97$	Not available
$1$ - $1$	$48$	Not available	$51$	Not available

Use the specification code confirmed by your school or printed on your results information. You can also read the OCR GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries guide.

Foundation and higher tier

The tier you took controls the grades that can normally be awarded:

Foundation tier normally offers grades from $1$ - $1$ up to $5$ - $5$ .
Higher tier normally offers grades from $4$ - $4$ up to $9$ - $9$ .
Higher-tier students may receive $4$ - $3$ as a safety-net grade if they narrowly miss $4$ - $4$ .
A higher-tier mark below the safety-net threshold results in a $U$ , or unclassified result.

Foundation tier cannot award grades above $5$ - $5$ . A student aiming for $6$ - $6$ or higher must normally be entered for Higher tier, although the school makes the entry decision before the exams.

Do not compare a Foundation mark directly with a Higher mark. The papers are different, and the percentage of marks needed for a grade can vary between boards, tiers and years.

What happens on GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

When you receive your result:

Confirm that it says Combined Science, rather than separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs.
Check the two grades together as one double award.
Identify your exam board, specification code and tier.
Find your total raw mark if it is included, or ask your exams officer.
Compare it with the correct official boundary table.
Speak to your school before requesting a clerical check or review of marking.

A review of marking can lead to marks and grades rising, staying the same or falling. Your school can explain the available post-results services and whether one is appropriate.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using last year's boundary

Previous boundaries show the general scale of marks, but they cannot determine the result for a new series. Paper difficulty and awarding evidence change each year.

Checking the wrong qualification

AQA Trilogy, AQA Synergy, Edexcel, OCR Gateway and OCR Twenty First Century are not interchangeable. Check the specification code, tier and exam series.

Treating the two grades as separate sciences

A result such as $5$ - $4$ is calculated from the overall Combined Science qualification. It is not a Biology grade and a Chemistry grade.

Turning boundaries into fixed percentages

There is no universal percentage that guarantees $4$ - $4$ or $5$ - $5$ . Use raw marks and the official table for your exact qualification.

What is a GCSE Combined Science grade boundary?

GCSE Combined Science grades explained

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: AQA Trilogy

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: Edexcel

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: OCR

Foundation and higher tier

What happens on GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

Common mistakes to avoid

Using last year's boundary

Checking the wrong qualification

Treating the two grades as separate sciences

Turning boundaries into fixed percentages

Using notional paper boundaries as official grades

Preparing for future science or maths exams

Key points to remember

Sources and referenced URLs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?

What are the GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?

What does a Combined Science grade such as $6$-$5$ mean?

What does a Combined Science grade such as $6$-$5$ mean?

When was GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

When was GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

Can Foundation tier Combined Science award a grade above $5$-$5$?

Can Foundation tier Combined Science award a grade above $5$-$5$?

What is the Higher tier safety-net grade?

What is the Higher tier safety-net grade?

Do Combined Science grade boundaries apply separately to each paper?

Do Combined Science grade boundaries apply separately to each paper?

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Ready to breeze through your GCSEs?IGCSEs?A-Levels?AS Levels?GCSEs?GCSEs?

What is a GCSE Combined Science grade boundary?

GCSE Combined Science grades explained

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: AQA Trilogy

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: Edexcel

GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries 2026: OCR

Foundation and higher tier

What happens on GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

Common mistakes to avoid

Using last year's boundary

Checking the wrong qualification

Treating the two grades as separate sciences

Turning boundaries into fixed percentages

Using notional paper boundaries as official grades

Preparing for future science or maths exams

Key points to remember

Sources and referenced URLs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?

What are the GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries for 2026?

What does a Combined Science grade such as $6$-$5$ mean?

What does a Combined Science grade such as $6$-$5$ mean?

When was GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

When was GCSE Combined Science results day 2026?

Can Foundation tier Combined Science award a grade above $5$-$5$?

Can Foundation tier Combined Science award a grade above $5$-$5$?

What is the Higher tier safety-net grade?

What is the Higher tier safety-net grade?

Do Combined Science grade boundaries apply separately to each paper?

Ready to breeze through your GCSEs?

Ready to breeze through your GCSEs?