AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy specification (8465)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy (8465) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
GCSE Combined Science: Synergy is designed to make science accessible and engaging for all students. It supports progression across two main sections—Life and Environmental Sciences and Physical Sciences—ensuring balanced coverage of biology, chemistry, and physics. This dual-structured approach aligns with common school staffing, where two teachers often deliver the course. The specification aims to develop students’ understanding of scientific concepts through practical work, interdisciplinary connections, and real-world applications. It prioritises clarity, coherent structure, and straightforward exam questions to support learners across a range of abilities.
Subject content breakdown
4.1 Building blocks
- States of matter, particle model, changes of state
- Density, specific heat capacity, latent heat
- Atomic structure, atomic models, isotopes, sub-atomic particles
- Cell structure and microscopy; animal, plant and bacterial cells
- Transport in cells: diffusion, osmosis, active transport
- Mitosis and meiosis, stem cells
- Waves: transverse and longitudinal, electromagnetic spectrum
4.2 Transport over larger distances
- Respiration: aerobic and anaerobic
- Human systems: circulatory, digestive, nervous, endocrine
- Enzymes and nutrients: digestion and food tests
- Reaction times and reflex arcs
- Plant systems: structure, transpiration, photosynthesis, translocation
- Chromatography and plant pigments
- Plant diseases
4.3 Interactions with the environment
- Health and disease; risk factors for non-communicable disease
- Contraception, hormones, diabetes, homeostasis
- Immune system and vaccination
- Radiation and risk: ionising radiation, half-life, contamination
- Preventing, treating and curing diseases
- Genetic modification and stem cells
4.4 Explaining change
- Development of the atmosphere, greenhouse effect, climate change
- Carbon and water cycles
- Pollutants and air quality
- Ecosystems, biodiversity, food chains, sampling
- Human impacts: habitat loss, pollution, deforestation
4.5 Building blocks for understanding
- Periodic table and atomic structure
- Chemical bonding, equations, and reactions
- Acids, alkalis, and neutralisation
- Electrolysis and redox reactions
4.6 Interactions over small and large distances
- Forces and motion: speed, velocity, Newton's laws
- Electricity: circuits, current, voltage
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
4.7 Movement and interactions
- Energy stores and transfers
- Power and efficiency
- Chemical changes and reactions
- Rates of reaction and factors affecting them
4.8 Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future
- Resources, recycling and life cycle assessment
- Sustainable development and alternative energy
- Environmental impact of extraction and use of resources
4.9 Key ideas
- Integration and application of key concepts across biology, chemistry and physics
Assessment structure
Paper 1
- Life and environmental sciences: Topics 4.1–4.4
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 25% of GCSE
- Foundation or Higher Tier
- Focus on AO1 and AO2: knowledge and application
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, short answers
Paper 2
- Life and environmental sciences: Topics 4.1–4.4
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 25% of GCSE
- Foundation or Higher Tier
- Focus on AO3 and required practicals
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, short answers
Paper 3
- Physical sciences: Topics 4.5–4.8
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 25% of GCSE
- Foundation or Higher Tier
- Focus on AO1 and AO2: knowledge and application
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, short answers
Paper 4
- Physical sciences: Topics 4.5–4.8
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 25% of GCSE
- Foundation or Higher Tier
- Focus on AO3 and required practicals
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, short answers
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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