Assessment
All candidates take three papers.
Candidates who have studied the Core subject content, or who are expected to achieve a grade D or below, should be entered for Paper 1, Paper 3 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades C to G.Candidates who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement), and who are expected to achieve a grade C or above, should be entered for Paper 2, Paper 4 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.
Extended assessment:
Extended assessment – Paper 2
- Time: 45 minutes (40 marks)
- 40 four-choice multiple-choice questions Questions will be based on the Core and Supplement subject
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- 30% weight
- Externally assessed
Extended assessment – Paper 4
- Time: 75 minutes (80 marks)
- Short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Core and Supplement subject
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- 50% weight
- Externally assessed
Unit 1. Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Unit 2. Organization of the organism
Unit 3. Movement into and out of cells
Unit 4. Biological molecules
Unit 5. Enzymes
Unit 6. Plant nutrition
Unit 7. Human nutrition
Unit 8. Transport in plants
Unit 9. Transport in animals
Unit 10. Diseases and immunity
Unit 11. Gas exchange in humans
Unit 12. Respiration
Unit 13. Excretion in humans
Unit 14. Coordination and response
Unit 15. Drugs
Unit 18. Variation and selection
Unit 19. Organisms and their environment
Unit 20. Human influences on ecosystems
Unit 21. Biotechnology and genetic modification
Extended assessment – Paper 2
- Time: 45 minutes (40 marks)
- 40 four-choice multiple-choice questions Questions will be based on the Core and Supplement subject
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- 30% weight
- Externally assessed
Extended assessment – Paper 4
- Time: 75 minutes (80 marks)
- Short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Core and Supplement subject
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- 50% weight
- Externally assessed
Unit 1. Characteristics and classification of living organisms
Unit 2. Organisation of the organism
Unit 3. Movement into and out of cells
Unit 4. Biological molecules
Unit 5. Enzymes
Unit 6. Plant nutrition
Unit 7. Human nutrition
Unit 8. Transport in plants
Unit 9. Transport in animals
Unit 10. Diseases and immunity
Unit 11. Gas exchange in humans
Unit 12. Respiration
Unit 13. Excretion in humans
Unit 14. Coordination and response
Unit 15. Drugs
Unit 18. Variation and selection
Unit 19. Organisms and their environment
Unit 20. Human influences on ecosystems
Unit 21. Biotechnology and genetic modification