Biology

Assessment

A Level Biology There are three written papers to assess A Level Biology. Each paper lasting 2 hours; papers 1 and 2 are worth 91 marks while paper 3 is worth 78 marks. Paper 1 is worth 35% of the overall A level while paper is worth 35% and paper 3 30 % respectively. Paper 1: Assesses content from topics 1-4 and relevant practical skills, 84% of paper one is a mixture of short and long answer questions while the other 16% assess extended responses. Paper 2: Assesses content from topics 5-8 (Energy transfers in and between organisms, response to change, genetics, populations and ecosystems and the control of gene expression) and relevant practical skills, 84% of paper one is a mixture of short and long answer questions while the other 16% is made up of comprehension questions. Paper 3 assess any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills. 49% of paper 3 is comprised of structured questions including practical techniques; 19% of critical analysis of given experimental data and 32% on an essay from the choice of two titles. The practical skills of students are assessed throughout the course, leading to a separate certificate called ‘Practical Endorsement in Biology’ – this is simply pass/fail depending on skills shown throughout the course.