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  1. Home
  2. Subjects
  3. Biology
  4. A-level Biology

A-level Biology7402

SpecificationPlanning resourcesTeaching resourcesAssessment resourcesKey dates
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Specification at a glance
3.0 Subject content
3.1 Biological molecules
3.2 Cells
3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
3.5 Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only)
3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only)
3.7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only)
3.8 The control of gene expression (A-level only)
4.0 Scheme of assessment
5.0 General administration
6.0 Mathematical requirements and exemplifications
7.0 Practical assessment
AS and A-level Biology Specification Specifications for first teaching in 2015

AS and A-level Biology Specification Specifications for first teaching in 2015

26 Nov 2021

PDF | 1.24 MB

2.0 Specification at a glance

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.

Subject content

Core content

  • 1 Biological molecules
  • 2 Cells
  • 3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
  • 4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
  • 5 Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only)
  • 6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only)
  • 7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only)
  • 8 The control of gene expression (A-level only)

Assessments

Paper 1

What's assessed

  • Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 91 marks
  • 35% of A-level

Questions

  • 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
  • 15 marks: extended response questions

Paper 2

What's assessed

  • Any content from topics 5–8, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 91 marks
  • 35% of A-level

Questions

  • 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
  • 15 marks: comprehension question

Paper 3

What's assessed

  • Any content from topics 1–8, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 78 marks
  • 30% of A-level

Questions

  • 38 marks: structured questions, including practical techniques
  • 15 marks: critical analysis of given experimental data
  • 25 marks: one essay from a choice of two titles
1.0 Introduction
3.0 Subject content
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