GCSE Combined Science Marks per Grade: 2025
GCSE combined science marks per grade explained with 2025 AQA and Edexcel raw-mark thresholds, tier differences and results-day guidance for students.
Results day turns a year of lessons, practicals and exam papers into two small numbers. If you are checking GCSE combined science marks per grade, the crucial fact is simple: your raw marks from every Combined Science paper are added together, then compared with your exam board's overall grade thresholds.
The latest confirmed summer boundaries are from June 202520252025. The 202620262026 boundaries will not be confirmed until results day, so previous figures are useful guides, not promises.
Combined Science results checklist
Before comparing your marks, check:
- your exam board and specification;
- whether you sat foundation or higher tier;
- your total raw mark across every paper;
- the boundary for the correct exam series;
- whether your course is AQA Trilogy, AQA Synergy or another specification.
You receive one double grade, such as 777-666 or 555-555. You do not receive separate GCSE grades for biology, chemistry and physics.
A student discovers that one Combined Science total produces a double grade
GCSE Combined Science grade thresholds for 2025
The table shows the minimum June 202520252025 raw mark for each grade on AQA Trilogy and Pearson Edexcel Combined Science. A dash means that grade was unavailable on that tier.
AQA Trilogy had a maximum of 420420420 marks; Edexcel had a maximum of 360360360 marks. Always compare marks with the correct maximum and tier.
| Double grade | AQA Trilogy higher | AQA Trilogy foundation | Edexcel higher | Edexcel foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 999-999 | 299299299 | -- | 284284284 | -- |
| 999-888 | 281281281 | -- | 269269269 | -- |
| 888-888 | 263263263 | -- | 255255255 | -- |
| 888-777 | 245245245 | -- | 241241241 | -- |
| 777-777 | 228228228 | -- | 227227227 | -- |
| 777-666 | 206206206 | -- | 207207207 | -- |
| 666-666 | 184184184 | -- | 187187187 | -- |
| 666-555 | 162162162 | -- | 167167167 | -- |
| 555-555 | 140140140 | 271271271 | 147147147 | 215215215 |
| 555-444 | 118118118 | 251251251 | 127127127 | 194194194 |
| 444-444 | 969696 | 231231231 | 107107107 | 174174174 |
| 444-333 | 858585 | 202202202 | 979797 | 151151151 |
| 333-333 | -- | 173173173 | -- | 128128128 |
| 333-222 | -- | 145145145 | -- | 105105105 |
| 222-222 | -- | 117117117 | -- | 828282 |
| 222-111 | -- | 898989 | -- | 595959 |
| 111-111 | -- | 616161 | -- | 373737 |
For complete historical tables, visit the AQA GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries or Edexcel GCSE Combined Science grade boundaries. AQA Synergy has different totals and thresholds, so Trilogy figures must not be used for that route.
What GCSE Combined Science raw marks mean
A raw mark is the mark awarded for what you wrote in the examination. Your qualification grade is based on the combined total, not an independent boundary for each paper.
This matters because paper-level boundaries sometimes shown by exam boards are notional. They help explain performance, but they do not award the final grade. Stronger performance in one science can compensate for weaker performance elsewhere because all relevant marks contribute to the qualification total.
Six science papers merge into one results-day total
Why grade boundaries change
Grade thresholds are set after papers have been marked. They can move because examination papers vary in difficulty, while awarding aims to maintain comparable standards between years.
That is why estimating a future grade from one previous boundary can be misleading. Look across several years using MathsGenie's GCSE grade boundaries hub, but treat the result as a range rather than an exact prediction.
The same principle matters in maths. Students can combine timed practice with GCSE Maths revision resources, then check progress using the correct board and series rather than assuming one fixed percentage always produces one grade.
Common mistakes when checking marks
Using the wrong specification
AQA Trilogy and Synergy have different maximum marks. Edexcel and OCR figures are different again. Match the qualification code on your results information.
Comparing foundation marks with higher boundaries
The overlapping grades have different raw thresholds because the papers are different. Foundation offers grades up to 555-555, while higher provides access to the top grades and has a limited lower-grade safety net.
Averaging separate paper grades
There is no final grade for each paper to average. Add the applicable paper marks and use the qualification-level boundary.
Treating last year's threshold as guaranteed
Previous GCSE Combined Science grade thresholds are evidence, not a forecast. Only the boundary published for your examination series determines your result.
Turn the number into a revision decision
A boundary tells you where the line was. It does not tell you which skill will earn your next mark. For maths revision, use Edexcel GCSE Maths lessons and questions, complete GCSE Maths past papers, and diagnose smaller gaps with GCSE mini tests. Predicted papers, mark schemes and video solutions then help turn mistakes into specific next steps.
Start by checking your exact Combined Science course on MathsGenie's AQA Combined Science boundaries or Edexcel Combined Science boundaries. Then return to revision with a calmer question: not "What grade do I hope for?", but "Where can I earn the next mark?"
Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks were needed for a 9-9 in Combined Science in 2025?
For June 202520252025, AQA Trilogy higher required at least 299299299 out of 420420420, while Edexcel higher required 284284284 out of 360360360. Other specifications have different thresholds.
Are Combined Science grades based on each individual paper?
No. The applicable paper marks are combined into an overall qualification total. That total is compared with the double-grade boundaries.
What is the highest Combined Science grade on foundation tier?
The highest available foundation-tier award is normally 555-555. Higher tier is required for grades above this.
Can I use the 2025 boundaries to predict my 2026 grade?
Only as a guide. Grade boundaries can change between examination series and the 202620262026 thresholds are confirmed on results day.
Why is a grade written as 7-6 rather than one number?
Combined Science is worth two GCSEs, so it produces two equal or adjacent grades. The pair is one overall award, not separate grades for different sciences.
