Edexcel GCSE Science Revision Guide 

Getting ready for your Edexcel GCSE Science exams? 🧪  We’re here to make it simple. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect in your exams and share top tips to help you revise like a pro 💪.

📑 How Many Papers Are There?

You’ll sit 6 papers in total - two each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics:

• Biology Paper 1 and 2




• Chemistry Paper 1 and 2




• Physics Paper 1 and 2

👉Each paper counts equally towards your final grade, which is reported as two GCSEs (e.g. 7–7, 6–5, etc.).

👉This is the same if you are sitting either the foundation or the higher paper. So both tiers have the same structure and timing, but different question difficulty and grade boundaries. The foundation paper will target grades 1-5 and the higher paper will target grades 4-9.

👉Each paper contains a mix of question styles and at least one extended open-response question worth 6 marks.

👉Questions are structured and ramped in difficulty - earlier parts are more accessible, later ones are more challenging.

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of total Biology grade)

• 📌Content:

 Topic 1: Key Concepts in Biology (also in Paper 2)

• Cell structure: animal, plant, and bacterial cells
• Specialised cells: sperm, egg, ciliated epithelial cells
• Microscopy and magnification
• Enzymes: how they work, factors affecting them
• Transport in cells: diffusion, osmosis, active transport
• Core Practicals: microscopy, enzyme activity, osmosis

Topic 2: Cells and Control

• Mitosis and the cell cycle
• Growth in animals and plants
• The brain and spinal cord
• Neurons and synapses
• Reflexes

Topic 3: Genetics

• DNA structure and function
• Chromosomes and genes
• Inheritance: dominant/recessive alleles, Punnett squares
• Genetic disorders
• Variation and mutation
• Meiosis

Topic 4: Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

• Darwin’s theory of evolution
• Evidence for evolution
• Selective breeding
• Genetic engineering
• Cloning

Topic 5: Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines

• Communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Immune system and vaccination
• Antibiotics and resistance
• Drug development and testing
• Monoclonal antibodies

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

Topic 1: Key Concepts in Biology (This topic will be in both papers)

• Cells are the building blocks of life 🧫
• Enzymes speed up reactions and are affected by temperature and pH
• Transport happens by diffusion, osmosis, and active transport
• Microscopes help us study cells and microorganisms

Topic 2: Cells and Control

• Mitosis helps cells divide and grow
• Stem cells can become different types of cells
• The nervous system controls responses
• Reflexes are fast and automatic reactions

Topic 3: Genetics

• DNA carries genetic information
• Genes are inherited from parents
• Genetic crosses predict traits
• Mutations can cause genetic disorders

Topic 4: Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

• Evolution happens through natural selection 🦎
• Selective breeding improves traits
• Genetic engineering changes DNA
• Classification helps group organisms

Topic 5: Health, Disease and Medicines

• Diseases can be communicable or non-communicable
• The immune system fights infections
• Vaccines and antibiotics help prevent and treat illness
• Drug development involves testing and trials

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of total chemistry grade)

• 📌Content: 

Topic 1: Key Concepts in Chemistry (Also appears in Paper 2)

• Atomic structure and the periodic table
• Types of bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic
• Chemical formulae and equations
• Calculations involving moles, empirical formula, and reacting masses
• Conservation of mass and percentage yield

Topic 2: States of Matter and Mixtures

• Particle model of solids, liquids, and gases
• Changes of state and energy transfers
• Purity and formulations
• Separation techniques: filtration, crystallisation, distillation, chromatography

Topic 3: Chemical Changes

• Reactivity series of metals
• Displacement reactions
• Acids, alkalis, and indicators
• Neutralisation and salt preparation
• Titrations and pH scale

Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria

• Methods of metal extraction (e.g. electrolysis, displacement)
• Life cycle assessments and recycling
• Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium
• Le Chatelier’s Principle (Higher Tier only)

Topic 5: Separate Chemistry 1 

• Transition metals and their properties
• Testing for ions (flame tests, precipitates)
• Quantitative analysis (e.g. concentration, titration calculations)
• Nanoparticles and their uses

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

Topic 1: Key Concepts in Chemistry (This topic will be in both papers)

• Atoms combine to form compounds
• Elements are arranged in the periodic table
• Chemical equations show reactions
• Moles help calculate amounts in reactions

Topic 2: States of Matter and Mixtures

• Solids, liquids and gases behave differently
• Changes of state involve energy
• Mixtures can be separated by filtration or chromatography
• Pure substances have fixed melting points

Topic 3: Chemical Changes

• Acids react with metals and bases
• Indicators show pH levels
• Electrolysis splits compounds using electricity ⚡
• Reactivity series predicts reactions

Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria

• Metals are extracted using displacement or electrolysis
• Life cycle assessments compare environmental impact
• Reversible reactions can go both ways
• Equilibrium balances forward and backward reactions

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of total physics grade)

• 📌Content: 

Topic 1: Key Concepts of Physics

• SI units and conversions

Topic 2: Motion and Forces

• Scalars and vectors

• Speed, velocity, and acceleration

• Newton’s laws in action
• Forces and their effects
• Momentum and collisions 

Topic 3: Conservation of Energy

• Energy stores and transfers
• Efficiency and power
• Work done and gravitational potential energy
• Kinetic energy calculations

Topic 4: Waves

• Types of waves (transverse and longitudinal)
• Wave speed, frequency, and wavelength
• Reflection, refraction and diffraction
• Sound waves and their properties

Topic 5: Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Refraction and dispersion
• Electromagnetic waves and their uses
• Dangers of EM radiation
• Core practical: refraction in glass blocks

Topic 6: Radioactivity

• Atomic structure and isotopes
• Types of radiation: alpha, beta, gamma
• Half-life and radioactive decay
• Nuclear equations and safety

Topic 7: Astronomy

• Solar system and life cycle of stars
• Orbits and gravity
• Red-shift and the expanding universe
  

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

 Topic 1: Key Concepts of Physics (This topic will be in both papers)

• Use standard form and significant figures
• Converting between different units

Topic 2: Motion and Forces

• Speed and acceleration describe movement
• Newton’s laws explain how forces work
• Momentum is mass × velocity
• Balanced forces mean no change in motion

Topic 3: Conservation of Energy

• Energy transfers between stores
• Efficiency measures useful energy
• Work is done when forces move objects
• Power is energy used per second

Topic 4: Waves

• Waves transfer energy
• Sound and light are types of waves
• Frequency and wavelength affect wave speed
• Reflection and refraction change wave direction

Topic 5: Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Light bends when it enters new materials
• EM waves include radio, microwaves, and X-rays
• EM waves have different uses and dangers
• Core practicals test refraction and absorption

Topic 6: Radioactivity

• Atoms can emit alpha, beta or gamma radiation ☢️
• Half-life measures how quickly substances decay
• Nuclear equations show changes in atoms
• Radiation has risks and uses

Here are some top tips to help you revise smarter (not harder!) 🚀

1. Know Your Specification Inside Out 🗂️

The Edexcel specification is your best friend - it lists every single thing you need to know. Print it out, highlight topics as you go and use it as a checklist to track your progress.

2. Practise Past Papers 📄

Past papers are a must! They’ll help you:

• See how questions are phrased

• Get used to timing and exam layout

• Spot common question themes

👉 You can find the links to Edexcel past papers on this page!

3. Master the Required Practicals 🔬

Each science includes several required practicals - and you’ll get questions on them in the exam!
Make sure you understand:

• The method (how the practical is carried out)

• The variables (independent, dependent, control)

• The data and results (what you’d expect to see and why)

4. Use a Variety of Revision Methods 🎨

Mix things up to keep your brain active! Try:

• Flashcards for key definitions and equations

• Mind maps to link related topics

• Quizzes to test recall

• Study groups to teach each other concepts

5. Strengthen Your Maths Skills ➗

Science and maths go hand-in-hand - especially in Physics and Chemistry.
Practise:

• Rearranging formulas

• Converting units

• Using standard form and significant figures

• Interpreting graphs and tables

The more you practise, the more confident you’ll feel!

6. Plan Your Revision Schedule 🗓️

Avoid last-minute stress by creating a realistic timetable.

• Focus on one topic at a time

• Use short, focused sessions (25–30 mins)

• Build in breaks and review time

Consistency beats cramming every time!

7. Look After Yourself 💖

You can’t learn well if you’re running on empty!
Make sure you:

• Take regular breaks

• Get enough sleep

• Eat brain-boosting foods

• Stay hydrated

• Reward yourself after study sessions 🎉

A healthy mind learns best! 🧘‍♀️

🌟 Final Thoughts

GCSE Science can seem challenging, but with a clear plan, regular practice and the right mindset, you can absolutely ace it! 🔥
Keep going, stay positive, and remember - every revision session gets you one step closer to success.

Good luck, future scientists! 🧪

📑 Paper 4: Biology 2

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

Topic 6: Plant Structures and Functions

• Photosynthesis makes food using sunlight 🌱
• Xylem and phloem transport water and nutrients
• Plant hormones control growth
• Plants adapt to their environment

Topic 7: Animal Coordination and Homeostasis

• Hormones control body functions
• The endocrine system includes glands like the pancreas
• Homeostasis keeps conditions stable
• The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones

Topic 8: Exchange and Transport in Animals

• Gas exchange happens in the lungs
• The heart pumps blood around the body ❤️
• Blood carries oxygen and nutrients
• Respiration releases energy from glucose

Topic 9: Ecosystems and Material Cycles

• Organisms interact in ecosystems
• Energy flows through food chains
• Carbon and water cycle through nature
• Human activity affects biodiversity

• ❓Question Types: 

You’ll face a mix of question types - from multiple-choice and short-answer questions to calculations and longer, open-response questions. Don’t forget, you’re allowed to use a calculator during the exam! 🧮

🧩 Foundation Tier

The Foundation Biology papers test your understanding of the basics. Most questions are about remembering facts and explaining simple ideas - like naming parts of a cell, describing what enzymes do or explaining how the body fights disease.

You’ll often see:

• Short answer questions (e.g. “State one function of the nucleus.”)




• Data questions with simple graphs or tables to read




• Practical questions that ask you to spot variables or describe a method




• Easy calculations (like percentage change or magnification)




• One 6-mark question where you describe a process (for example, how digestion works)

👉These questions are usually guided and structured, meaning the paper helps you break down your answers step by step.

🔬 Higher Tier

The Higher Biology papers go beyond facts - they test how well you can apply your knowledge. You’ll need to explain, analyse and evaluate what’s happening in different biological situations.

You’ll often see:

• Data questions with more complex graphs or results to explain




• “Explain why” questions that need full reasoning, not just facts




• Questions that link different topics (e.g. exercise and respiration)




• Trickier calculations that might have more than one step




• 6-mark questions that ask you to write in detail using scientific terms

👉These papers are less about memorising and more about thinking like a scientist - explaining how and why things happen.

📑 Paper 5: Chemistry 2

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 
  




• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

Topic 6: Groups in the Periodic Table

• Group 1 metals are reactive and soft
• Group 7 halogens form salts
• Group 0 noble gases are unreactive
• Trends in groups help predict properties

Topic 7: Rates of Reaction and Energy Changes

• Reactions happen faster with heat or catalysts
• Collision theory explains reaction speed
• Exothermic reactions release energy 🔥
• Endothermic reactions absorb energy

Topic 8: Fuels and Earth Science

• Crude oil is separated by fractional distillation
• Combustion produces energy and pollutants
• Greenhouse gases cause climate change
• The Earth’s atmosphere has changed over time

• ❓Question Types: 

You’ll face a mix of question types - from multiple-choice and short-answer questions to calculations and longer, open-response questions. Don’t forget, you’re allowed to use a calculator during the exam! 🧮

🧩 Foundation Tier

Foundation Chemistry focuses on key ideas and straightforward problems. You’ll mainly answer questions about definitions, naming substances and describing reactions.

You’ll see:

• Recall questions (e.g. “What is an element?” or “Name a metal.”)




• Word or symbol equations that you might need to balance




• Data questions showing simple reaction trends or graphs




• Simple one-step calculations (like finding the number of atoms or moles)




• Practical questions that ask about safety, equipment, or control variables




• 6-mark questions describing processes (e.g. making a salt or neutralising an acid)

👉Most questions are familiar and clearly worded, helping you focus on understanding the main ideas.

🔬 Higher Tier

Higher Chemistry papers test how well you can use and connect ideas - not just recall them. You’ll need to apply what you know to new situations and justify your answers.

You’ll see:

• Explain or predict questions about reactions or products




• More detailed data analysis (e.g. explaining graphs or anomalies)




• Multi-step calculations involving moles, energy, or concentration




• Evaluation questions about practicals or methods




• 6-mark questions that ask you to compare, discuss, or analyse (e.g. advantages and disadvantages of a method)

👉Higher papers test reasoning and problem-solving, not just memory.

📑 Paper 6: Physics 2

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

• 
  




• 🏆Marks: 60 marks (16.67% of total grade)

• 📌Content:

Topic 8: Energy – Forces Doing Work

• Work transfers energy
• Power measures energy per second
• Thermal insulation reduces heat loss
• Surfaces affect radiation

Topic 9: Forces and Their Effects

• Forces can stretch, compress or rotate
• Hooke’s Law links force and extension
• Pressure depends on force and area
• Moments cause turning effects

Topic 10: Electricity and Circuits

• Current flows in circuits
• Voltage pushes current
• Resistance slows current
• Series and parallel circuits behave differently

Topic 12: Magnetism and the Motor Effect

• Magnets attract or repel
• Electromagnets use current to create fields
• The motor effect moves wires in magnetic fields
• Fleming’s left-hand rule predicts direction

Topic 13: Electromagnetic Induction

• Moving magnets create electricity
• Transformers change voltage
• The National Grid uses transformers
• Efficiency matters in power transmission

Topic 14: Particle Model

• Particles move faster when heated
• Density = mass ÷ volume
• Pressure increases with temperature
• Changes of state involve energy

Topic 15: Forces and Matter

• Springs stretch with force
• Elastic and inelastic deformation
• Work is done when stretching
• Core practicals test spring extension

• ❓Question Types: 

You’ll face a mix of question types - from multiple-choice and short-answer questions to calculations and longer, open-response questions. Don’t forget, you’re allowed to use a calculator during the exam! 🧮

🧩 Foundation Tier

Foundation Physics focuses on basic ideas and simple maths. Questions often involve describing physical effects, identifying forces or using equations that are already given.

You’ll see:

• Define or describe questions (e.g. “What is velocity?”)




• Straightforward calculations using one equation




• Graph questions that ask you to find values or spot trends




• Short explanations of physical effects (e.g. “Why does the light bulb get dimmer?”)




• 6-mark questions that guide you through describing a process

👉Questions are very step-by-step and focus on showing your understanding of everyday physics ideas.

🔬 Higher Tier

Higher Physics papers test how well you can apply physics to new situations. You’ll need to do more multi-step maths, and explain or interpret ideas in depth.

You’ll see:

• Problem-solving questions where you need to use or rearrange equations




• Graph questions asking you to find gradients or explain trends




• Explain why questions that test your reasoning




• Data questions linking several ideas together (like power, current, and resistance)




• 6-mark questions asking for full explanations or evaluations

👉These papers need clear working out and logical explanations, showing that you understand the links between ideas.