Frequently Asked Questions

Which exam board are your papers from?

Because of all the recent changes to GCSE Science - which have been ongoing since 2007 - I have decided to upgrade my questions and model answers to the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science exam with effect from June 2008. The questions and model answers that I offer prior to that year are based on the Edexcel GCSE Science exam.

I have made this switch for three main reasons:

• The Cambridge exam sets higher standards with questions that are usually more demanding. This means that students who use the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science to revise, should be much better prepared for their GCSE Science.
• The Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science exam contains the same types of questions asked by all the other exam boards (OCR 21st Century Science, AQA, Edexcel, modular, additional, double and triple awards). In other words, the Cambridge science syllabus overlaps all the other syllabuses of the other exam boards.
• Clarity because the Cambridge exam is just two papers:
  • if you are a ‘Core’ student (Foundation) you sit Papers 1 and 2.
  • if you are an ‘Extended’ student (Higher) you sit Papers 1 and 3.

Paper 1 is a compulsory multiple choice exam for all candidates regardless of ability. What this means is that even the Core (Foundation) students have a chance of gaining some extra marks by at least trying harder questions.

Paper 2 is a written paper of about 9 questions only for students doing the Core (Foundation) level.

Paper 3 is a written paper of about 9 questions only for students doing the Extended (Higher) level.

The law on copyright does not allow me to use the the papers word-for-word. So I have slightly re-written each question in each paper in order to make a 'replica' question as close as possible to the original. For example, suppose Question 3 in the real Paper 6 begins.... 'A car is travelling at 30 m/s along a straight flat road....'; my replica Question 3 will begin...'A bus is travelling along a flat straight road at 40 m/s... ' When re-writing the Questions I have made absolutely sure that the topic being tested and the level of difficulty match exactly those of the original Questions. This means that if you can understand my Model Answers to the replica Questions you should have no trouble with the real Questions because they are virtually identical.

What do I mean by Model Answers?

When writing the Model Answers I do not just give the solutions to each question. What you get is a step-by-step answer with all the working-out fully explained in clear, simple language. Each question appears just as you would see it on an exam paper but around the solution are notes and arrows pinpointing exactly what is going on and why. Before the solution is given I like to give as much 'teaching' as I can, which means there are lots of hints and tips like in a 'teach yourself ' book. Click here to see a typical Higher Question and its Model Answer. If you think my Model Answers really can help you to understand the science then click here.

What is your refunds policy?

You have the right to cancel your order and receive a full refund within 30 days of receiving your item(s). To do so, simply return contact us either by post, telephone or email. You do not need to return the items to us. We will simply make your refund via the payment method you used to make your purchase.

What payment methods do you accept?

We take payment via the following payment instruments:

You can either pay online or if you'd prefer to pay over the telephone then feel free to contact us.

What currencies do you accept?

We accept payment in pound sterling.

Who operates GCSESciencePastPapers.com?

The site has been live now since 2001 and is run as a joint venture between a sole trader who trades under the name of Dr Zargle and a limited company called Wizeeka Ltd. Wizeeka Ltd handles the business side of the operation. It is registered in England and Wales as a limited company (company number - 03117512) and the registered office is 25 Glover Road, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 1LQ. The trading address, contact telephone number and email address can be found on the contact us page.