AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy: specification & assessment

AQA specification 8464 · Version 1.1, 04 October 2019 · for teaching from September 2016, exams June 2018 onwards onwards · checked July 2026

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) is assessed by 6 tiered exam papers (Foundation and Higher tier). Here's the exam structure, the assessment objectives and what you study — straight from AQA's specification.

Reform watch:England's 2025 Curriculum & Assessment Review doesn't change GCSE or A-level content until reformed specs are first taught (national curriculum September 2028; updated GCSEs from 2029). Your 2026–2028 exams use the current specification. What's changing →

Exam papers

PaperLengthMarksWeighting
Biology Paper 1Biology topics 1-4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%
Biology Paper 2Biology topics 5-7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%
Chemistry Paper 1Chemistry topics 8-12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%
Chemistry Paper 2Chemistry topics 13-17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. Questions in Paper 2 may draw on fundamental concepts and principles from Sections 5.1 to 5.3.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%
Physics Paper 1Physics topics 18-21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%
Physics Paper 2Physics topics 22-24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism.1 hour 15 minutes7016.7%

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual for Combined Science: Trilogy and describe the skills the exams reward. The weightings are for the whole GCSE.

AOWhat it assessesWeighting
AO1Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: scientific ideas; scientific techniques and procedures.40% overall (per-component approx range 37-43%)
AO2Apply knowledge and understanding of: scientific ideas; scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures.40% overall (per-component approx range 37-43%)
AO3Analyse information and ideas to: interpret and evaluate; make judgments and draw conclusions; develop and improve experimental procedures.20% overall (per-component approx range 17-23%)

Practical work

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy has 21 required practicals. Questions in the written exams draw on them — there is no separate coursework mark at GCSE.

GCSE (not A-level): there is NO teacher-assessed practical endorsement. Students must carry out 21 required practical activities (spec section 10.2). Practical skills are assessed only through the written exams: per AQA, questions drawing on the knowledge and understanding gained from the required practicals "will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification." There is no separate practical examination. (The double Pass/Not Classified endorsement mechanism applies to A-level sciences, not to this GCSE.)

What you study

The main topics in the 8464 specification:

Your grades in Combined Science: Trilogy

See the real AQA Combined Science: Trilogy grade boundaries (2024 & 2025, with a "what grade is my mark" tool), and how GCSE grades work.

Where this comes from

Frequently asked questions

See all AQA GCSE subjects.