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100+ Free WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Practice Questions

Prepare for the Made-for-Wales GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) — WJEC / Qualifications Wales (teaching from 2026) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Exam

7 units

Compulsory unitised structure (biology ×2, chemistry ×2, physics ×2, scientific enquiry)

WJEC specification / delivery guide

£93.60

WJEC 2026/27 full qualification centre entry fee (double award)

WJEC 2026/27 entry fees

A*A*–GG

Double-award grade scale (U unclassified)

WJEC specification §5.2

Sept 2026

First teaching; first award summer 2028

WJEC / Qualifications Wales

240–280 GLH

Guided learning hours design range

WJEC specification §1.4

en / cy

Assessment available in English and Cymraeg

WJEC Made-for-Wales GCSE

WJEC Made-for-Wales GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) (teaching 2026; award 2028): seven units of biology, chemistry, physics and scientific enquiry; grades A*A*–GG; centre fee £93.60 (2026/27). This free 100-question bank is an English MCQ study adaptation only — practise real written papers and Unit 7 enquiries separately.

Sample WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which structure is found in plant cells but not in typical animal cells and is the site of photosynthesis?
A.Mitochondrion
B.Chloroplast
C.Ribosome
D.Nucleus
Explanation: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis. They are present in plant cells (and algae) but not in typical animal cells. Mitochondria, ribosomes and nuclei occur in both plant and animal cells.
2In multicellular organisms, which sequence correctly shows increasing levels of organisation?
A.Organ → tissue → cell → organ system
B.Cell → tissue → organ → organ system
C.Tissue → organ system → organ → cell
D.Organ system → organ → tissue → cell
Explanation: Specialised cells form tissues; tissues form organs; organs work together in organ systems. This hierarchy is core Unit 1 organisation content.
3What is the main function of the cell membrane?
A.Store genetic information
B.Control the movement of substances into and out of the cell
C.Produce energy from glucose only
D.Provide a rigid outer wall in animal cells
Explanation: The cell membrane is selectively permeable and controls entry and exit of substances. Genetic information is stored in the nucleus (DNA). Animal cells do not have a rigid cell wall.
4Enzymes are biological catalysts. What does a catalyst do?
A.Is used up completely in the reaction
B.Speeds up a reaction without being used up
C.Changes the products of a reaction into different elements
D.Stops all reactions in living cells
Explanation: Catalysts increase reaction rate and are not permanently consumed. Enzymes catalyse metabolic reactions at body temperature.
5In the lock-and-key model of enzyme action, the substrate binds to the:
A.Active site of the enzyme
B.Cell wall only
C.Chloroplast envelope only
D.Nuclear membrane only
Explanation: The active site has a complementary shape to the substrate (lock-and-key model). Binding forms an enzyme–substrate complex that lowers activation energy.
6Which word equation correctly represents aerobic respiration in humans?
A.glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
B.carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
C.glucose → lactic acid only with no energy release
D.oxygen + water → glucose + carbon dioxide
Explanation: Aerobic respiration oxidises glucose using oxygen to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis is essentially the reverse overall equation.
7During intense exercise, human muscle cells may respire anaerobically. A product of this process is:
A.Lactic acid
B.Ethanol only as in all animal cells
C.Oxygen gas
D.Starch
Explanation: In human muscle, anaerobic respiration converts glucose to lactic acid and releases less energy than aerobic respiration. Ethanol is produced by anaerobic respiration in yeast, not human muscle.
8Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. Which factor is a classic limiting factor for the rate of photosynthesis?
A.Light intensity
B.Sound intensity in the room
C.Magnetic field strength of Earth only
D.Number of protons in gold atoms
Explanation: Light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature commonly limit photosynthesis rate. When light is limiting, increasing light intensity increases rate until another factor limits.
9In a plant, which tissue transports water and mineral ions from roots to leaves?
A.Phloem
B.Xylem
C.Epidermis only with no transport role
D.Cuticle only
Explanation: Xylem vessels transport water and dissolved minerals from roots upwards. Phloem transports sugars (translocation). Epidermis and cuticle protect and reduce water loss but are not the long-distance water transport tissue.
10In the human digestive system, which organ produces bile that emulsifies fats?
A.Liver
B.Pancreas only with no bile role
C.Large intestine only
D.Trachea
Explanation: The liver produces bile, stored in the gall bladder and released into the small intestine. Bile emulsifies fats, increasing surface area for lipase. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones, not bile.

About the WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Exam

Made-for-Wales GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) is WJEC’s integrated double-award science GCSE for first teaching from September 2026 (first award summer 2028). It covers living systems, matter, forces and energy, and scientific enquiry across seven units: Biology Basis of Life and Continuity of Life; Chemistry substances/behaviour and bonding/reactions/resources; Physics forces/motion/universe and waves/electricity/energy; plus Unit 7 Scientific Enquiry (two practical-plus-written enquiries). Assessment is unitised and tiered (Higher A*–D; Foundation C–G), available in English and Cymraeg, and supports progression to A level sciences. Separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics remain available in Wales for at least three years alongside. This free 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation only — it does not replace timed structured papers or real practical enquiry work.

Assessment

Seven compulsory units (Qual Code 3455QD, QN 3450QD, Approval Approval Number C00/4968/2). Unit 1 Biology – Basis of Life: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 2 Chemistry – Chemical Substances and How They Behave: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 3 Physics – Forces, Motion and the Universe: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 4 Biology – Continuity of Life: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 5 Chemistry – Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Resources: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 6 Physics – Waves, Electricity and Energy: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 7 Scientific Enquiry: two enquiries from a choice of three; each enquiry has a 1-hour practical task and a 1-hour written task (28 marks each, 56 marks total), 10%. All units externally assessed by WJEC. Higher Tier A*–D; Foundation Tier C–G; tiers may differ by unit. First teaching September 2026; first award summer 2028. Distinct from England GCSE Combined Science and from separate Wales GCSE Biology/Chemistry/Physics.

Time Limit

Units 1–6: 1 hour 15 minutes each. Unit 7: two enquiries, each 1 hour practical + 1 hour written (final year, spring term from 2028).

Passing Score

No single pass mark. Double-award grades A*A* to GG (U unclassified). Higher Tier unit outcomes A*–D; Foundation C–G. Boundaries set each series.

Exam Fee

WJEC 2026/27 full qualification centre entry fee £93.60 for GCSE The Sciences (Double Award). Schools and registered centres pay WJEC; students do not normally pay WJEC directly; private candidates are charged by their centre. (WJEC (CBAC), regulated by Qualifications Wales)

WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Exam Content Outline

14.3%

Unit 1 — Biology: Basis of Life

Cell structure (animal and plant), specialisation and organisation, enzymes, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis and limiting factors, plant transport, human digestive and respiratory systems, ecosystems and interdependence.

14.3%

Unit 2 — Chemistry: Chemical Substances and How They Behave

States of matter and particle model, elements and formulae, atomic structure and isotopes, electronic structure and the periodic table, rates of reaction and catalysts, Earth systems, sustainable water and separation, atmosphere composition.

14.3%

Unit 3 — Physics: Forces, Motion and the Universe

Speed, distance, time and acceleration; motion graphs; energy stores, insulation and efficiency; power and appliance cost; forces and resultants; longitudinal and transverse waves; electromagnetic spectrum; Solar System origins and observing the Universe.

15.7%

Unit 4 — Biology: Continuity of Life

Human impact on biodiversity, DNA and inheritance, stem cells, variation and natural selection, nervous system and temperature control, communicable and non-communicable disease, prevention and treatment including antimicrobial resistance.

15.7%

Unit 5 — Chemistry: Bonding, Reactions and Resources

Material properties linked to metallic, ionic and covalent bonding; acids, neutralisation and salts; metal reactivity and sustainable extraction; crude oil fractions, alkanes and alkenes, plastics, fuels and combustion.

15.7%

Unit 6 — Physics: Waves, Electricity and Energy

Radioactive decay and half-life; reflection, refraction, absorption and transmission; current, voltage and resistance; efficient energy transfer; magnetic fields, induction and transformers; star life cycles and the wider Universe.

10%

Unit 7 — Scientific Enquiry

Two enquiries from three (practical + written each): hypotheses, variables, apparatus and resolution, risk, tables and graphs, secondary data, conclusions, precision, repeatability vs reproducibility, anomalies, systematic and random error, validity.

How to Pass the WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No single pass mark. Double-award grades A*A* to GG (U unclassified). Higher Tier unit outcomes A*–D; Foundation C–G. Boundaries set each series.
  • Assessment: Seven compulsory units (Qual Code 3455QD, QN 3450QD, Approval Approval Number C00/4968/2). Unit 1 Biology – Basis of Life: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 2 Chemistry – Chemical Substances and How They Behave: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 3 Physics – Forces, Motion and the Universe: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 56 marks, 14.3%. Unit 4 Biology – Continuity of Life: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 5 Chemistry – Chemical Bonding, Reactions and Resources: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 6 Physics – Waves, Electricity and Energy: written exam, 1 h 15 min, 64 marks, 15.7%. Unit 7 Scientific Enquiry: two enquiries from a choice of three; each enquiry has a 1-hour practical task and a 1-hour written task (28 marks each, 56 marks total), 10%. All units externally assessed by WJEC. Higher Tier A*–D; Foundation Tier C–G; tiers may differ by unit. First teaching September 2026; first award summer 2028. Distinct from England GCSE Combined Science and from separate Wales GCSE Biology/Chemistry/Physics.
  • Time limit: Units 1–6: 1 hour 15 minutes each. Unit 7: two enquiries, each 1 hour practical + 1 hour written (final year, spring term from 2028).
  • Exam fee: WJEC 2026/27 full qualification centre entry fee £93.60 for GCSE The Sciences (Double Award). Schools and registered centres pay WJEC; students do not normally pay WJEC directly; private candidates are charged by their centre.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

WJEC GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Follow the unit hierarchy: secure Units 1–3 foundations before deepening Units 4–6 connections within each discipline.
2Practise quantitative skills every week: speed/acceleration, efficiency, Ohm’s law, rates, half-life, percentages and graph gradients — maths is assessed across units.
3Embed scientific enquiry (variables, risk, tables, graphs, anomalies, validity) in every topic, not only Unit 7.
4Use official WJEC specification amplification stems (know / understand / be able to / be aware of) and bold higher-tier content when preparing for Higher papers.
5Time yourself on structured past-style questions; this MCQ bank builds knowledge and judgement but official papers need extended written responses.
6For Unit 7, rehearse full enquiries: hypothesis, five-value independent variable, controlled variables with values, apparatus resolution, mean and anomaly handling, line of best fit, and evaluation language (repeatability, reproducibility, systematic vs random error).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Made-for-Wales GCSE The Sciences (Double Award)?

It is WJEC’s Qualifications Wales–regulated integrated double-award science GCSE (Qual Code 3455QD) for first teaching from September 2026 and first award in summer 2028. Learners study biology, chemistry and physics with scientific enquiry across seven units and receive a double grade from A*A* to GG. It is not available to centres in England and is distinct from England’s GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy.

How is the qualification assessed?

Six tiered external written examinations (Units 1–6, each 1 hour 15 minutes) plus Unit 7 Scientific Enquiry, in which learners complete two enquiries from a choice of three (each enquiry: 1-hour practical task and 1-hour written task). All assessment is marked by WJEC. Official papers use structured written and practical formats; this practice bank is an English MCQ study adaptation only.

What does the double award cost?

The WJEC 2026/27 full qualification centre entry fee for GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) is £93.60. Schools and registered centres pay WJEC entry fees. Students do not normally pay WJEC directly; private candidates are charged by the centre that enters them.

How does this differ from separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics?

The Sciences (Double Award) is one integrated double-award qualification covering all three disciplines plus scientific enquiry. Separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics remain available in Wales for at least three years from September 2026 alongside The Sciences and Integrated Science (Single Award). Centres choose the pathway that best fits their learners; separate sciences may suit those aiming for three science grades.

Is this the same as GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy?

No. Combined Science: Trilogy is an England (typically AQA/Edexcel 9–1) pathway. Made-for-Wales GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) is a Qualifications Wales / WJEC qualification graded A*A*–GG, unitised with Unit 7 Scientific Enquiry, and aligned to the Curriculum for Wales. Content and assessment structure differ; use the Wales-specific specification.

What languages is the exam available in?

Assessment is available in English and Cymraeg (Welsh), matching the bilingual delivery of Made-for-Wales GCSEs.