AQA Combined Science Trilogy 8464
GCSE science Foundation or Higher: AQA Combined Science tier choice
Foundation gives grades 1-1 to 5-5. Higher gives 4-4 to 9-9, with a 4-3 allowed just below. You sit all six papers at the same tier.
How to decide
- 1. Look at your last two mock resultsSteady 5-5 or above points to Higher. Steady 4-4 or below points to Foundation, where 5-5 is still reachable.
- 2. Check the Higher-only contentHigher adds topics such as moles and some extra equations and explanations. Try a set of Higher questions before you decide.Try Higher moles questions
- 3. Weigh the riskOn Higher, falling below 4-3 gives a U. On Foundation the top grade is 5-5, so a student aiming for 6-6 or above must sit Higher.
- 4. Practise at your tierQuestions and papers can be filtered by tier, so practice matches the papers you will sit.Higher practice
Questions people ask
What is the highest grade on Foundation Combined Science?
5-5. Foundation covers grades 1-1 to 5-5, including split grades such as 4-3.
What happens if I do badly on Higher?
Higher awards 4-4 to 9-9, with a 4-3 allowed just below 4-4. Below that the result is unclassified (U), so a weak Higher paper can leave you with no grade.
Can I sit some papers at Higher and some at Foundation?
No. In AQA Combined Science all six papers are entered at the same tier.
Who decides the tier?
Your school or exam centre makes the entry, usually after mocks. Ask your teacher what the evidence shows.