GCSE Revision Checklist: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

GCSE Science exams (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) cover a defined list of topics for each of the three sciences. Using a checklist rather than re-reading your textbook is the most efficient revision approach: you identify exactly which topics you know and which you don't, then target your time where it's needed.

This article gives you the highest-yield topics for each science, RAG-style (Red/Amber/Green) checklist format, and a 6-week revision plan.

How to Use This Checklist

For each topic, rate yourself:

🟢 Green: Can explain this confidently, answer exam questions without notes
🟡 Amber: Know it broadly but would struggle on a specific exam question
🔴 Red: Unsure or haven't revised yet

Focus your revision exclusively on 🔴 Red topics. 🟡 Amber topics need one quick review pass. Don't re-revise 🟢 Green topics — that time is wasted.

GCSE Biology Revision Checklist

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Cell Biology

Cell structure: plant vs. animal vs. bacterial cells
Microscopy: magnification calculations, preparing slides
Mitosis: stages, purpose, where it occurs
Cell differentiation and stem cells
Diffusion, osmosis, and active transport — definitions and examples

Organisation (Body Systems)

Enzymes: lock and key model, effect of temperature and pH
Digestive system: organs and their functions
Blood: components (red cells, white cells, platelets, plasma) and functions
Heart structure and cardiac cycle
Lungs and gas exchange: alveoli structure and surface area adaptations
Plant tissues and organ systems

Infection and Response

Types of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists — examples of each
The immune response: non-specific and specific
Vaccination: how it works, herd immunity
Antibiotics vs. antiviral drugs

Bioenergetics

Photosynthesis equation and factors affecting rate
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration equations
Uses of glucose in plants and animals

Homeostasis and Response

Nervous system: reflex arc with synapses
Hormonal coordination: pancreas, ADH, reproductive hormones
Thermoregulation and osmoregulation

Inheritance and Variation

DNA structure and function
Meiosis vs. mitosis
Monohybrid crosses: dominant/recessive, Punnett squares
Sex determination
Mutation, natural selection, evolution

Ecology

Food chains, food webs, energy transfer
Carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle
Biodiversity: threats and conservation
Human impact on the environment

GCSE Chemistry Revision Checklist

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Atomic structure: protons, neutrons, electrons; atomic number vs. mass number
Isotopes: definition and examples
Electronic configuration and periodic table trends
Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 7 (halogens) properties and trends

Bonding, Structure, and Properties

Ionic bonding: formation, properties of ionic compounds
Covalent bonding: simple molecular and giant covalent structures
Metallic bonding and properties
Diamond vs. graphite vs. graphene

Chemical Changes

Acids and bases: pH scale, neutralisation reactions
Reactivity series and metal displacement reactions
Electrolysis: products at each electrode for molten and aqueous solutions
Half equations for electrolysis

Energy Changes

Exothermic vs. endothermic reactions — examples and bond energy calculations
Bond energy calculations: energy in vs. energy out

Rate of Reaction and Equilibrium

Factors affecting rate: temperature, concentration, pressure, catalyst, surface area
Le Chatelier's principle: predicting equilibrium shifts
Reversible reactions and the Haber process

Carbon Chemistry (Organic)

Hydrocarbons: alkanes and alkenes — naming and properties
Cracking: thermal and catalytic
Polymers: addition and condensation polymerisation

Chemical Analysis

Flame tests: colours for Li, Na, K, Ca, Cu
Tests for gases: hydrogen (squeaky pop), oxygen (glowing splint), CO₂ (limewater), chlorine (damp litmus)

Earth and Atmosphere

Evolution of the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases and global warming
Finite vs. renewable resources; life cycle assessment

GCSE Physics Revision Checklist

Forces

Newton's laws of motion (all three) with examples
Weight, mass, gravity (W = mg)
Resultant forces and free body diagrams
Pressure in fluids: P = F/A and P = ρgh
Elasticity: Hooke's law, elastic limit

Energy

Energy stores and transfers: kinetic, gravitational, elastic, thermal
Conservation of energy
Power = energy/time; efficiency calculations
Specific heat capacity: E = mcΔT

Waves

Wave properties: amplitude, frequency, wavelength, wave speed equation (v = fλ)
EM spectrum: order, uses, and hazards of each type
Reflection, refraction, total internal reflection
Sound: longitudinal waves, speed in different media

Electricity

Current, voltage, resistance: Ohm's law (V = IR)
Series vs. parallel circuits: rules for current and voltage
Power equations: P = IV and P = I²R
Mains electricity: AC vs. DC, live/neutral/earth wires, fuses

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Magnetic field patterns: bar magnets and solenoids
Motor effect: F = BIL, Fleming's left-hand rule
Electromagnetic induction: generator effect
Transformers: step up vs. step down; transformer equation

Particle Physics

Atomic structure: nucleus, electrons
Radioactive decay: alpha, beta, gamma — properties, penetration, uses
Half-life: definition and calculations
Nuclear fission and fusion

6-Week GCSE Science Revision Plan

Week	Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Week 1	Cell biology + Organisation	Atomic structure + Bonding	Forces + Energy
Week 2	Infection + Bioenergetics	Chemical changes + Energy changes	Waves + Electricity
Week 3	Homeostasis + Inheritance	Rate + Equilibrium + Organic	Magnetism + Particles
Week 4	Ecology + Mixed topics	Chemical analysis + Earth	Mixed topics
Week 5	Past paper practice (Biology)	Past paper practice (Chemistry)	Past paper practice (Physics)
Week 6	Weak topic drilling across all three	—	Final past paper under exam conditions

Daily revision session structure (1–2 hours per subject):

Test yourself on the checklist items for today's topics (active recall first)
Revise only the gaps you identified
Do 10 past paper questions on those topics
Review mark scheme for every wrong answer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important GCSE Biology topics?

The highest-yield topics across AQA, Edexcel, and OCR are: cell biology (always tested), photosynthesis and respiration equations, the immune response and vaccination, hormonal coordination (insulin, adrenaline, reproductive hormones), and inheritance (Punnett squares, dominant/recessive alleles). These appear in at least one question on virtually every past paper.

What's the difference between GCSE Combined Science and Triple Science?

Combined Science (Double Award) covers all three sciences but at reduced depth — you receive two GCSEs. Triple Science covers each subject fully and awards three separate GCSEs. The checklist above covers Triple Science; Combined Science students can focus on the core topics only (approximately 60–70% of the lists above).

How many past papers should I do for GCSE science?

Aim for 3–5 past papers per subject under timed conditions. AQA, Edexcel, and OCR publish free past papers with mark schemes on their websites. Past papers from the last 5 years are most relevant — topics and question styles are most consistent with your upcoming exam.

How long before GCSE exams should I start revising?

Starting 8–12 weeks before your first science exam gives you enough time to cover all topics, do past paper practice, and address weak areas. Starting 4 weeks before is manageable but leaves no room for setbacks. Using the RAG checklist approach from the start of revision prevents wasted time on topics you already know.

The Bottom Line

The RAG checklist approach turns GCSE science revision from a vague "read through your notes" into a targeted, measurable process. Red topics get attention; Green topics are left alone.

Action step: Print or copy the checklist for your weakest science subject. Go through every topic and mark it Red, Amber, or Green right now. Count your Red topics. That number tells you exactly how much focused revision time you need. Start with the first Red topic tomorrow.

Also read: Best GCSE Revision App for Science and How to Use Past Papers Effectively