CBE Grade 7 Integrated Science: Topics & Free Notes
Every strand, the highest-priority topics, and free revision notes for Grade 7 Integrated Science — Biology, Chemistry and Physics combined into one subject.
If your child has just joined Grade 7, they have stepped into something entirely new. Junior Secondary School is a major transition — and one of the subjects that surprises students most is Integrated Science.
Unlike the separate Science subjects they may have encountered in upper primary, Integrated Science at Grade 7 combines Biology, Chemistry and Physics into a single, unified subject. It is designed to show students how science connects in real life — but it can feel overwhelming at first if you don't know what to expect.
This guide breaks down exactly what Integrated Science covers at Grade 7, what students find most challenging, and how to revise it effectively.
ℹ️ What is Integrated Science?
Integrated Science is a compulsory subject in Kenya's CBE Junior Secondary curriculum (Grade 7–9). Rather than treating Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate subjects, it combines all three into one course — showing how scientific concepts connect across disciplines. It is assessed through both school-based and national assessments.
What Does CBE Grade 7 Integrated Science Cover?
The Grade 7 Integrated Science syllabus is organised into three main strands — Biology, Chemistry and Physics — plus a cross-cutting strand on Scientific Investigation. Here is what students cover in each:
- ›Cells — the basic unit of life, cell structure, plant vs animal cells
- ›Classification of living things — kingdoms, characteristics of living organisms
- ›Nutrition in plants — photosynthesis, leaf structure, conditions for photosynthesis
- ›Nutrition in animals — types of nutrition, human digestive system overview
- ›Health and disease — common diseases, prevention and hygiene
- ›Matter and its properties — states of matter, physical and chemical changes
- ›Mixtures and separation — types of mixtures, filtration, evaporation, distillation
- ›Elements, compounds and symbols — periodic table introduction, chemical symbols
- ›Water — properties of water, water cycle, purification
- ›Air — composition of air, importance of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- ›Measurement — SI units, measuring length, mass, volume, temperature
- ›Force and motion — types of forces, effects of force, friction
- ›Energy — forms of energy, energy transformation, renewable vs non-renewable
- ›Light — sources of light, reflection, shadows, eclipses
- ›Sound — sources and properties of sound, how sound travels
- ›Safety in the laboratory — rules, equipment, hazard symbols
- ›Scientific method — observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion
- ›Recording and presenting data — tables, graphs, bar charts
- ›Making conclusions and communicating findings
Why Do Grade 7 Students Struggle with Integrated Science?
Integrated Science is one of the subjects where Grade 7 students most often ask for extra help. There are three main reasons why:
It covers three subjects at once
Concepts from Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught side by side — which is rewarding when you see the connections, but challenging when you're trying to keep track of everything at once.
It introduces a lot of new vocabulary
From 'photosynthesis' and 'osmosis' to 'sublimation' and 'refraction', Grade 7 Integrated Science introduces more new scientific terms than almost any other subject.
It requires practical understanding
CBE assessment often asks students to apply what they know, not just recall it. Students who only memorise definitions without understanding the concepts tend to struggle with application questions.
The Most Important Grade 7 Integrated Science Topics
Based on the CBE curriculum framework and common assessment patterns, these are the topics that carry the most weight — and where students should spend the most revision time:
| Strand | High Priority Topic | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cell structure | Foundational — appears in every year of science |
| Biology | Photosynthesis | High-frequency assessment topic with diagrams |
| Chemistry | States of matter | Core concept linked to many later topics |
| Chemistry | Separation techniques | Practical application — often assessed experimentally |
| Physics | Forms of energy | Cross-cutting concept appearing across all strands |
| Physics | Measurement & SI units | Essential for all practical and calculation questions |
| Investigation | Scientific method | Assessed in project work and practicals throughout the year |
How to Revise Grade 7 Integrated Science Effectively
The good news is that Integrated Science rewards students who approach it the right way. Here are the most effective revision strategies for Grade 7:
Study one strand at a time
Rather than jumping between Biology, Chemistry and Physics in a single session, focus on one strand per day. Complete all the key topics in that strand before moving to the next. This builds a strong foundation in each area rather than a shallow understanding of all three at once.
Learn the vocabulary first
Before diving into a topic, write out all the key scientific terms and their definitions. Test yourself on them before reading the notes. Students who know the vocabulary find it much easier to understand explanations and write accurate answers.
Draw and label diagrams
Integrated Science is a highly visual subject. Cell diagrams, the water cycle, ray diagrams for light, food chains — drawing and labelling these from memory is one of the most effective ways to revise. If you can draw it and explain it, you understand it.
Connect concepts across strands
One of the unique things about Integrated Science is how concepts connect. Energy appears in Biology (photosynthesis), Chemistry (chemical reactions) and Physics (forms of energy). When you spot these connections, make a note of them — they often appear in assessment questions that cross strand boundaries.
Practise with questions — not just notes
Reading notes is a starting point, not a revision strategy. After studying each topic, test yourself with practice questions. Try to answer without looking at your notes first. This is the single most reliable way to find out what you actually know — and what you still need to work on.
💡 For parents
If your Grade 7 child is struggling with Integrated Science, the most helpful thing you can do is ask them to explain a concept to you. If they can explain it in simple language, they understand it. If they can't, that's where the revision needs to focus.
What's Different About CBE Science Compared to the Old System?
Parents who went through the 8-4-4 system may notice that their child's science education looks and feels different. Here is what has changed:
These changes are designed to produce students who think like scientists — curious, systematic, and able to apply knowledge to new situations. The revision strategies that work best for CBE Integrated Science reflect this: active practice, diagram work, and understanding over memorisation.
The Bottom Line
CBE Grade 7 Integrated Science is a broad, ambitious subject — but it is very manageable with the right approach. The key is to take each strand seriously, build your scientific vocabulary early, practise with diagrams and questions, and look for the connections between Biology, Chemistry and Physics that make the subject come alive.
The students who do best in Integrated Science are not necessarily the most naturally gifted. They are the ones who revise consistently, practise regularly, and ask questions when they don't understand something.
Start early. Revise smart. And use the best resources available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Integrated Science in CBE Grade 7?▾
What topics are covered in CBE Grade 7 Integrated Science?▾
Why do Grade 7 students struggle with Integrated Science?▾
How is CBE Integrated Science different from the old 8-4-4 science?▾
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