# A Level Biology (9700) tutoring online

> Our A Level Biology tutors teach Cambridge International 9700, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (units WBI11 to WBI16), AQA 7402, OCR Biology A H420 and Pearson Edexcel Biology A (9BN0) and Biology B (9BI0). Live 1:1 or small-group online classes cover the full syllabus, extended answers, data handling and practical skills.

Source: https://www.gradeupinternational.com/a-level/biology
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Publisher: GradeUp International (https://www.gradeupinternational.com/)

Taught by: [Waseem Abbas](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/waseem-abbas), [Muhammad Usman](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/muhammad-usman), [Nimra Muqadas](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/nimra-muqadas).

A Level Biology is a core subject for students heading towards medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, biomedical science, nursing, psychology and environmental courses. It develops IGCSE, O Level or GCSE Biology into molecular detail: protein structure, gene expression, immunology and the biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis. Students coming from a strong science background usually recognise the topics but discover that every answer now needs a precise mechanism rather than a general description.

Cambridge 9700 uses the five-paper Cambridge science structure, so the practical exam and the planning paper together carry almost a quarter of the A Level. Pearson's International A Level has six units sat in January, June or October. In the UK, AQA 7402 has three papers including an essay, OCR H420 has three papers with a synoptic third paper, and Edexcel offers two separate specifications, Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) and Biology B, both assessed linearly.

The volume of content is what surprises most students, but marks are lost through imprecise wording more than missing knowledge. Writing 'enzymes are killed' instead of 'denatured', or 'energy is produced' instead of 'released', costs credit on every board. Graph and statistics questions, including chi-squared and standard deviation, also feature heavily. Our tutors drill mark-scheme vocabulary topic by topic and practise data questions until interpreting unfamiliar graphs becomes routine.

## How is A Level Biology examined?

### Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 31% of AS Level / 15.5% of A Level |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | 1 hour 15 minutes | 60 | 46% of AS Level / 23% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | 2 hours | 40 | 23% of AS Level / 11.5% of A Level |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | 2 hours | 100 | 38.5% of A Level |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | 1 hour 15 minutes | 30 | 11.5% of A Level |

2025–2027 syllabus. AS Level: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers. Series: May/June and October/November.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-biology-9700/

### Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Biology (YBI11), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unit 1 (WBI11): Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 2 (WBI12): Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 3 (WBI13): Practical Skills in Biology I | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 20% of IAS / 10% of IAL |
| Unit 4 (WBI14): Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 5 (WBI15): Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 6 (WBI16): Practical Skills in Biology II | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 10% of IAL |

Units available in January, June and October. The IAS comprises Units 1–3.

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/biology-2018.html

### AQA A-level Biology (7402), AQA

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1 | 2 hours | 91 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours | 91 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 3 | 2 hours | 78 | 30% of A Level |

Linear: all exams in May/June of one year.

Official syllabus: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/biology/a-level/biology-7402/specification

### OCR A Level Biology A (H420), OCR

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Biological processes | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Biological diversity | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Unified biology | 1 hour 30 minutes | 70 | 26% of A Level |

Current specification version is for first assessment in 2025.

Official syllabus: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/biology-a-h020-h420-from-2015/

### Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BN0), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/biology-a-2015.html

### Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology B (9BI0), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Biology | 2 hours 30 minutes | 120 | 40% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/biology-b-2015.html

## What topics are in A Level Biology?

- Cell structure: Calculating magnification without converting millimetres to micrometres first.
- Biological molecules: Describing a glycosidic bond as forming 'with water' instead of releasing water in condensation.
- Enzymes: Saying high temperature 'kills' enzymes rather than changing the active site shape so substrates no longer fit.
- Cell membranes and transport: Explaining osmosis in terms of water concentration instead of water potential.
- The mitotic cell cycle: Listing mitosis stages in the right order but not describing chromosome behaviour in each.
- Nucleic acids and protein synthesis: Confusing the codon on mRNA with the anticodon on tRNA.
- Transport in plants and mammals: Omitting cohesion–tension when explaining how water moves up the xylem.
- Gas exchange, infectious diseases and immunity: Mixing up the roles of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the immune response.
- Energy, respiration and photosynthesis: Stating that ATP 'contains energy' without referring to hydrolysis releasing energy.
- Homeostasis and control and coordination: Describing negative feedback without naming the receptor, effector and corrective response.
- Inheritance, selection and evolution: Setting out genetic crosses without a key to the alleles or a clear Punnett square.
- Classification, biodiversity, conservation and genetic technology: Calculating Simpson's index correctly but not interpreting what the value shows.

## How do you get top marks?

- Use precise mark-scheme vocabulary: denatured, water potential, complementary, and released rather than produced.
- For 'describe' graph questions, quote specific values with units and identify the trend at each change of gradient.
- Plan six-mark and essay answers in brief bullet points so each scientific point appears once and in a logical order.
- In statistics questions, state the null hypothesis, compare with the critical value and conclude in context.
- Practise annotating practical diagrams and tables; column headings need quantities and units, not units alone.

## Fees

1:1: PKR 3,500 / AED 140 / GBP 28 per 60-minute class. Small group: PKR 12,500 per month. [All currencies](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/pricing).

## Frequently asked questions

### How can I get an A* in A Level Biology?

An A* in A Level Biology comes from combining detailed content knowledge with precise exam wording and strong data-analysis skills. Learn each topic from the specification, then practise questions until your answers match mark-scheme language. Time yourself on essays or extended responses, and revisit statistics and practical skills often. Reviewing every marked past paper shows exactly where marks are slipping away.

### Is A Level Biology hard?

A Level Biology is demanding mainly because of the volume of content and the precision required in written answers. Many students find the concepts easier to picture than in Physics or Chemistry, but recall must be detailed and accurate. Data questions and statistical tests add a mathematical element. Consistent revision through the course works better than intensive memorising at the end.

### What is the difference between Edexcel Biology A and Biology B?

Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield, 9BN0) teaches biology through real-world contexts such as health and sport, while Biology B (9BI0) follows a more traditional topic-by-topic route. Both are full A Levels covering similar core biology. Their papers differ: Biology A uses three two-hour papers, one with a pre-released article, whereas Biology B uses two shorter papers and a longer practical-principles paper.

### Can I take A Level Biology without Chemistry?

Yes, you can take A Level Biology without Chemistry, although topics such as biological molecules, enzymes and respiration draw heavily on chemical ideas. Students without Chemistry should review bonding, pH and reaction basics early in the course. Keep in mind that medicine, dentistry and many biomedical degrees expect Chemistry as well, so check course requirements first.

### Which A Level subjects go well with Biology?

Chemistry is the most common partner for A Level Biology, especially for medicine and life sciences, and Psychology, Mathematics and Geography also combine well. Chemistry supports the biochemistry topics, Maths helps with statistics and data analysis, and Psychology overlaps with neuroscience. Choose combinations based on the entry requirements of the degrees you are considering.