Past papers - CCEA GCSE Double Award Science

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CCEA GCSE Double Award Science past papers and mark schemes

Here you can find CCEA past papers for GCSE Science Double Award. Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes (which contain the answers).

If you’re unsure whether you need Foundation Tier or Higher Tier papers, consult your teacher.

CCEA past papers and mark schemes are the intellectual property of CCEA and are copyright © CCEA. All CCEA material is linked to with their permission.

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Unit B1: Biology

Foundation Tier

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Higher Tier

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Unit B2: Biology

Foundation Tier

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Higher Tier

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Unit 7: Biology, Practical Skills

Booklet A

Foundation Tier

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Higher Tier

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Booklet B

Foundation Tier

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Higher Tier

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Unit C1: Chemistry

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Higher Tier

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Unit C2: Chemistry

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark Scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Unit 7: Chemistry, Practical Skills

Booklet A

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
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Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Booklet B

Foundation Tier

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Higher Tier

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Unit P1: Physics

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Higher Tier

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Unit P2: Physics

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark Scheme
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Unit 7: Physics, Practical Skills

Booklet A

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Booklet B

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
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Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

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More CCEA past papers and mark schemes

You can find more Double Award Science past papers and mark schemes on the CCEA website.

Past papers and mark schemes going back as far as 2017 are available there, along with many Irish Medium and modified versions of the papers.

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Five top tips for your Double Award Science revision

A girl studying at a desk in her room at home.

1. Develop mind maps and summary sheets
Condense each topic into a single-page diagram (mind map) or bullet list (summary sheet) highlighting key terms, laws and relationships. These visuals can help you see how ideas connect and speed up last-minute revision.

Key points, videos and quizzes on all topics can be found on the Bitesize Double Award Science pages, and various fact files are available on the CCEA website.

2. Practice makes perfect – make use of past papers and mark schemes
When you use past papers, try to work in a quiet space and time yourself so it feels like the real exam. This helps you get used to the pressure and pace you’ll need on the day. After completing a paper, always mark your answers using the official mark scheme – this shows you exactly what examiners look for and helps you spot common mistakes.

Revision shouldn’t just be reading notes; developing good exam technique is just as important, and doing lots of past papers is the best way to build it. Each time you mark your work, keep a list of any repeating errors – for example, missing units, skipping steps in calculations, or misunderstanding command words. These are the areas you should focus on next, so you steadily improve with every paper you complete.

3. Practise calculations – show all working clearly
Practising calculations regularly is one of the best ways to boost your confidence in science, but it’s just as important to show every step of your working clearly. This helps you stay organised, avoid mistakes, and earn method marks even if your final answer isn’t perfect. Start by writing down the formula you need, then substitute the values, include the units at each stage, and show how you rearranged the equation if needed.

For example, if you’re calculating speed, write \(speed = distance \div time\), then plug in the numbers before giving your final answer with correct units. Setting your work out neatly also makes it much easier to spot where you went wrong when checking back later. The clearer your method, the more marks you can pick up – even when the question is tricky. It is important to also pay attention to the number of decimal places asked for the answer.

4. Focus on understanding processes as well as key terms
There are lots key terms in GCSE Double Award Science. They are commonly asked in exams and often need to be word perfect. Make a list of all key terms and practise writing them out from memory, saying them aloud, or turning them into flashcards to test yourself regularly. The more you repeat them, the more quickly and accurately you’ll recall them in the exam. But don’t rely solely on memorisation, you need to understand key processes, such as photosynthesis and fractional distillation. You may also be asked to apply knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios – you can practice this by looking at previous questions on past papers.

5. Review practical methods
There are three written practical papers in Double Award Science. These are timetabled on the same day as the Unit 2 papers. You may have to explain a practical method in a six-mark question or draw a diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment. Use exam mark schemes to see examples of how you should structure your method in a six-mark question.

Many students are unprepared for practical-based questions. You need to know apparatus, variables, method, expected results, and improvements for all prescribed practicals. You may also be asked about reliability, accuracy and the concept of fair testing.

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Five top tips for your Double Award Science exams

A line of students at their desks in an examination room.

1. Read the question properly
Always read the whole question carefully, including any diagrams, tables, or graphs – important clues are often hiding there. For example, a table might use different units like minutes instead of seconds. There will be one question that assesses the quality of written communication (QWC) on each paper – it is important that you plan your response and produce an answer that is well structured. There are usually bullet points as part of the question – these are to help you to structure your answer so that you will achieve the top mark band, so read them carefully. Re-read the question to make sure you haven’t missed any of the detail needed.

2. Graphs and diagrams: Be accurate
When you draw graphs or diagrams, make them as clear as possible so examiners can easily follow your work. Always label both axes with the quantity and the unit – for example, write “Time /s” or “Temperature /оC)” rather than just “Time” or “Temperature”. Use the headings in the table of data to work out what labels and units to use. Plot each point neatly. In Biology, a dot to dot line is common, but in chemistry and physics it is most often a best fit line or curve. Keep it smooth and draw only one line – don’t sketch multiple versions.

If you’re drawing scientific diagrams, label everything clearly, such as naming the beaker, measuring cylinder, or delivery tube in a practical setup, or adding arrows to show the direction of a ray of light in a physics diagram. Clear diagrams and graphs make it much easier to earn full marks.

3. Use accurate scientific language
Use the correct scientific words for each topic so your answers are clear and accurate. For example, in biology use terms like diffusion, osmosis or enzyme instead of vague phrases like “it spreads” or “it breaks stuff down”. In chemistry, say reactants and products, not “the stuff at the start” and “the stuff at the end”. In physics, talk about force, acceleration, and velocity rather than “push,” “speeding up,” or “how fast it goes”.

Learn your key definitions word for word because exam questions often require exact wording to get the mark – for example, knowing the precise definition of conservation of energy or pure substance. When doing calculations, always include the correct units, such as N (newtons), m/s2, cm3, g or оC, because leaving them out can lose you marks even if the number is right.

4. Manage your time
Try to manage your time by using the rule of “one mark = about one minute”, so a three-mark question should take roughly three minutes. This helps stop you spending too long on one tricky question. If you get stuck, don’t panic – move on and come back later so you don’t miss easier marks further on in the paper.

For example, if you can’t rearrange a physics equation straight away, skip it and return once you’ve answered the questions you find easier. Leave the final five minutes at the end of the exam to check the important details: make sure you’ve included units like “N” or “оC”, check that calculations make sense, correct any spelling of scientific words like photosynthesis or electrolysis, and fill in any blanks you forgot about earlier. These final checks can easily gain you extra marks.

5. Describe trends clearly and comparatively
When you describe trends in graphs or data, make sure your answer is clear and specific. Avoid vague phrases like “it goes up”, because they don’t tell the examiner anything useful. Instead, compare the variables properly (these will be on the axes of the graph or heading in a table) – for example, say: “As temperature increases, the rate of reaction increases quickly at first and then levels off”, or “Plant A grows faster than Plant B between days 2 and 6”. Use comparative words like greater, smaller, faster, or more slowly to show exactly how the values change. Being precise helps you earn full marks when interpreting graphs or data.

In Biology, students often lose marks because they mix up key definitions, especially in topics like genetics. For example, many confuse the terms dominant, recessive, homozygous etc. There are also frequent mistakes in writing the respiration equation, with students swapping reactants and products.

In Chemistry, a lot of marks are lost because students mix up chemical names with chemical formulas. For example, writing “carbon dioxide” when the question asks for CO2, or giving the formula H2O when the question specifically asks for the name “water”. It is also important to practise writing formula and balancing equations, as questions involving these skills are often poorly answered.

In Physics, lots of students lose marks because they make mistakes with unit conversions or struggle to use equations properly. For example, some forget to change minutes into seconds or kilometres into metres before calculating speed. Others know the right equation but find it hard to rearrange it or substitute the values correctly. Taking your time to check units and formulas, and writing out every step clearly, will help secure full method marks.

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Revise specific Double Award Science topics

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If practising with past papers has highlighted a particular area you need to improve, then further help is at hand.

You can go straight to the most relevant Bitesize study guide for CCEA GCSE Double Award Science and refresh your knowledge.

All topics are covered, across biology, chemistry and physics. There is also help and advice around the practical skills required for investigations and experiments.

Follow the links to the topic of your choice, where you'll find easy-to-understand revision materials, including videos, diagrams and quick quizzes.

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More GCSE Double Award Science questions

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There are plenty more science questions to tackle with our Bitesize quizzes.

You can have a go at our quick-fire ten question GCSE Combined Science quiz or practise with 50 exam-style GCSE Combined Science questions.

You can also select which topic you want to focus on in this quiz based on GCSE Combined Science past papers - choose from questions relating to a range of topics in biology, chemistry and physics.

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Where can I get more help with my Double Award Science revision?

Explore more Double Award Science resources with the full range of help from Bitesize.

Double Award Science - CCEA

Pinpoint areas to revise from all the topics in GCSE Double Award Science.

Double Award Science - CCEA

Revision: Get organised

Advice from Mind Set coaches on how to get organised with your revision.

Revision: Get organised

Support - exams and revision

Handy tips and advice for keeping on top of your studies and revision.

Support - exams and revision
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