Combined science vs triple science: which is right?

Separate sciences include the same topics as Combined Science plus some extra ones. In AQA's specifications, these include:

• Physics: space physics, static electricity, moments and pressure in fluids, nuclear fission and fusion.
• Chemistry: transition metals, nanoparticles, yield and atom economy, chemical cells, the Haber process.
• Biology: plant disease, trophic levels, food production, and monoclonal antibodies (Higher).

See the full lists: physics, chemistry and biology.

Both routes can lead to A levels in biology, chemistry and physics. Sixth forms set their own entry requirements, often a grade 6 or 7 in the subject (or 6-6 or 7-7 in Combined Science), so check the ones you're interested in. Triple science can make the jump to A level feel smaller because you've met more content.

• Triple suits students who enjoy science, are confident with the pace and might take science further.
• Combined suits students who want a solid science qualification while keeping time for other subjects.
• Many schools decide based on progress in Year 9 or 10. Ask your science teacher.

Whichever you take, the same revision methods apply: see GCSE science revision.

• "Combined is easier." Combined has less content, but the questions on shared topics are similar.
• "You can't do science A levels with combined." You often can, with the right grades.
• "Triple counts for more at university." Universities mainly look at A levels; GCSE requirements are usually about English, maths and grades rather than the number of science GCSEs.

With AQA, Combined Science papers are shorter (1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks), so there's slightly less time per paper but less content per paper too. Triple science papers are 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks, so stamina matters. In both, a mix of multiple choice, short answers, calculations and longer answers is used, and the required practicals are assessed in the written papers.