Supporting your summer 2019 exam entries
It is now possible to make entries for the summer 2019 examination series. The deadline for making entries is 21 February 2019*. After this date, late entry fees will be applicable.
*Please note that your Exams Officer may have their own internal deadlines in order to get the information they require to make entries.
Entry for GCSE 9-1 Combined Science
There are six papers for GCSE Combined Science which will be graded and certificated on a 17-grade scale from 9-9 to 1-1 using the total subject mark where 9–9 is the highest grade.
Students must sit all six papers at the same tier. This means when you enter your students, either foundation or higher option must be selected which will automatically enter students for the six papers at the same tier.
For foundation tier grades 1-1 to 5-5 are accessible.
For higher tier grades 4-4 to 9-9 are accessible.
There is an allowed 'safety net' grade of 4-3 at higher tier for those candidates who just miss the 4-4 grade. This is detailed in our specification and also on the Ofqual blog.
Entry codes for foundation and higher tier options are available in our Information Manual. We have also them provided below for your convenience.
| Entry code | Tier option | GCSE Combined Science |
| 1SC0 | F | Foundation |
| Paper 1: Biology 1 | ||
| Paper 2: Chemistry 1 | ||
| Paper 3: Physics 1 | ||
| Paper 4: Biology 2 | ||
| Paper 5: Chemistry 2 | ||
| Paper 6: Physics 2 | ||
| 1SC0 | H | Higher |
| Paper 1: Biology 1 | ||
| Paper 2: Chemistry 1 | ||
| Paper 3: Physics 1 | ||
| Paper 4: Biology 2 | ||
| Paper 5: Chemistry 2 | ||
| Paper 6: Physics 2 |
GCSE Combined Science grading at higher tier
Summer 2018 was the first awarding of the new GCSE 9-1 Sciences and as an exception, for GCSE Combined science a 3-3 grade was permitted as detailed in the Ofqual blog.
Ofqual have recently announced that there will be no awarding of the 3-3 grade this summer. The full announcement can be viewed on the Ofqual blog.
To help you make decisions on tier choices, we have produced both a ‘Tiering Guidance’ document and video guidance.
Entry for GCSE 9-1 Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
GCSE 9-1 Separate Sciences is graded and certificated on a nine-grade scale from 9 to 1 using the total subject mark where 9 is the highest grade.
For the different science disciplines students can be entered for different tiers. For example, a student may be entered for GCSE Physics and Chemistry at higher tier, and GCSE Biology at foundation tier.
For foundation tier grades 1 to 5 are accessible.
For higher tier grades 4 to 9 are accessible. For those candidates who just miss the pass mark, grade 3 may be awarded.
Entry codes for Separate Sciences can be found on pages 104 and 119 of the Information Manual (PDF, 250 KB) and also provided below for your convenience.
| Entry code | Option | GCSE Biology |
| 1BI0 | F | Biology foundation (papers 1 and 2) |
| 1BI0 | H | Biology higher (papers 1 and 2) |
| Entry code | Option | GCSE Chemistry |
| 1CH0 | F | Chemistry foundation (papers 1 and 2) |
| 1CH0 | H | Chemistry higher (papers 1 and 2) |
| Entry code | Option | GCSE Physics |
| 1PH0 | F | Physics foundation (papers 1 and 2) |
| 1PH0 | H | Physics higher (papers 1 and 2) |
Guidance on extended open response questions
We now have new guidance available to support you with extended open response questions (six marks) that feature in our exam papers. The guidance provides examples of student responses from the summer 2018 papers and may help you with applying the mark scheme.
GCSE 9-1 Science Head Teacher declaration form
The deadline to submit the Head Teacher declaration form is 15 April.
Complete the Head Teacher declaration form
We have provided guidance on this form in our FAQs document (PDF, 0.15 MB).
GCSE Science collaborative hub meetings
We still have places left on our free GCSE Science collaborative hub meetings.
At these meetings you will have the opportunity to cover the following:
- discuss mocks marking with subject specialists
- explore strategies for formative and summative assessment
- network with colleagues
- ask questions and get updates from the Pearson Edexcel Science team.
The following collaborative hub meetings are taking place:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Ashford | 11-Feb-19 | 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Devon | 12-Feb-19 | 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Chelmsford, Essex | 12-Feb-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Plymouth | 15-Feb-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Hull | 14-Feb-19 | 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. |
| Sidcup | 26-Feb-19 | 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. |
| Luton | 26-Feb-19 | 3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Hereford | 27-Feb-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Darlington | 28-Feb-19 | 3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. |
| Southampton | 28-Feb-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Suffolk | 04-Mar-19 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Birmingham | 04-Mar-19 | 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Brighton and Hove | 05-Mar-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 06-Mar-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Bristol | 07-Mar-19 | 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Belper, Derbyshire | 11-Mar-19 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| London | 05-Jun-19 | 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Manchester | 05-Jun-19 | 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
If you would like to book your place, please visit our training page.
Subject advisor
Subject advisor
Irine Muhiuddin
Science
