Planning to take A Level Biology in 2025? Whether you're aiming for top grades, curious about the grade boundaries, or seeking essential revision tips, understanding the grading and exam system is crucial for your success and future career choices. For additional guidance, consider consulting a biology teacher.
All your exams will take place at the end of the two-year course, usually in June. Exam boards like AQA, OCR, Edexcel, and WJEC will administer them. This guide will explain what you need to know about exam boards, assessment structure, grade boundaries, and the marking system.
Overview of A Level Biology in 2025
A Level Biology is among the most popular advanced qualifications in the UK, especially for students interested in life sciences, medicine, and environmental studies.
As a linear course, all assessments are at the end of the course (after two years), and the main exam dates are in June.
A Level Biology is a linear qualification, which means all exams are taken at the end of the two-year course, typically in June. Unlike older modular systems, your overall grade is based only on these final exams, making consistent study and revision crucial.
Biology A Level follows GCSE, and the course is designed to build on what students have learnt while testing them on the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject.
At the end of an A Level Biology course, students should understand biological concepts and common and essential scientific skills needed in higher education and scientific careers.
A Level Biology is recognised in the UK and internationally and is offered by exam boards like AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, and Cambridge International. Each board follows the same overall assessment approach. There may be some differences between exam boards, but we'll cover that below.
Who Should Take A Level Biology?
A Level Biology is a foundation for careers in medicine, environmental science, genetics, and other advanced science and technical fields. It’s an award-winning qualification recognized in the UK and internationally, with certificates awarded on results day in August 2025.
A Level Biology is suited for students aiming for careers in fields like:
- Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science
- Environmental and Conservation Projects
- Biomedical and Applied Sciences
- Technical research roles
- Agriculture, Botany, and Genetics
It's also common for A Level students to pick Mathematics, Chemistry, and even English alongside their Biology A Level. Biology-related degrees often require A Level Biology.
For personalised support, especially if you are located in Glasgow, consider connecting with a biology tutor glasgow.
Entry Requirements for A Level Biology
Generally, schools and colleges will ask for a GCSE Biology of Combined Science pass (grade 6 or above) and a grade in Mathematics, too.
Most students will have spoken to their school or college about their A Level choices.
To enter A Level Biology, most schools require a grade 6 in GCSE Biology or Combined Science, and a Mathematics grade to support data analysis and practical skills. Some schools also consider performance in English, especially for essay-style questions.
If you're based in Edinburgh, you might benefit from the guidance of a biology tutor edinburgh to help navigate your options.
Exam Boards Offering A Level Biology
Several major exam boards offer A Level Biology in 2025.
While the core content and syllabus for each qualification remain the same, the exam structure and some specific units taught differ.
Before you start your revision, ensure that the materials used and topics studied are appropriate for your exam board.
You can download official A Level Biology specifications as PDFs directly from exam boards like AQA, OCR, Edexcel, and WJEC. These include detailed breakdowns of units, assessments, and practical requirements. Always make sure to use the latest 2025 updates!
AQA A Level Biology
AQA A Level Biology focuses on developing a deep understanding of biological principles and practical skills through lab-based work.
OCR A Level Biology
There are two versions of OCR A Level Biology: Biology A (H420) and Biology B: Advancing Biology (H422).
These are both linear qualifications, too.
Edexcel (Pearson) A Level Biology
Edexcel, part of Pearson, offers an A level biology course that focuses on the real-world applications of biology and scientific techniques.
WJEC A Level Biology
WJEC Biology is available in Wales and select other regions. This course focuses on biology within a modern scientific context.
Cambridge International A Level Biology
Cambridge International A Level Biology is an international qualification taken by students in international schools outside of the UK. The 2025 course focuses on global perspectives in biology.
For reference, here are the exam boards compared.
| Exam Board | Linear Qualification | Practical Endorsement Required | Assessment Type | Exam Sessions | Results Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | ✔️ | ✔️ Separate Pass/Fail | 3 Written Exams covering full content | June | August (Summer) |
| OCR (Biology A & B) | ✔️ | ✔️ Separate Pass/Fail | 3 Written Exams + Practical endorsement | June | August (Summer) |
| Edexcel (Pearson) | ✔️ | ✔️ Separate Pass/Fail | 3 Written Exams + Practical skills endorsement | June | August (Summer) |
| WJEC | ✔️ | ✔️ Separate Pass/Fail | 3 Written Exams + Practical assessment (internally assessed) | June | August (Summer) |
| Cambridge International (9700) | ✔️ (AS and A Level split) | ✔️ for Full A Level (optional in AS Level) | AS: 2-3 Written Papers; A Level: +2-3 Written + Optional/Compulsory Practical Papers depending on centre | June & November | August/November |
Assessment and Grading System in 2025
In 2025, almost all A Level Biology courses offer a linear qualification structure, which means students complete all their exams at the end of the two-year course. This takes place in the summer exam series in June (add it to your calendar!).
The older modular systems had individual units of modules that would contribute marks to your final overall grade, but it's now based on your final exam performance.
While arguably more stressful for students, this means that their knowledge is up-to-date and relevant when they receive their A Level, rather than being awarded for performance on an exam on a topic they studied months before.
Grade boundaries are the minimum marks needed to achieve each grade (A* to E). They may shift each year depending on exam difficulty and student performance to ensure fair and uniform awards. Grade boundaries for AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC are published in August on results day.
Exam Papers and Assessment Breakdown
The exam boards typically split their assessments into three written exams covering various biology topics and units:
- Biological molecules, cells, and organisms
- Genetics, biodiversity, and evolution
- Energy transfers, ecosystems, and homeostasis
- Gene expression and control
Here, you can see them compared:
| Exam Board | Number of Written Exams | Duration | Marks per Paper | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | 3 | 2 hours each | ~91-105 marks | ~33% each |
| OCR | 3 | 2 to 2.5 hours each | ~100 marks | ~33% each |
| Edexcel | 3 | 2 hours each | ~100 marks | ~33% each |
| WJEC | 3 | ~1.5 to 2.5 hours | Varies (75-90 marks) | Varies (weighted equally) |
| Cambridge | 4-5 (depending on AS/A2) | 1.5 to 2 hours each | Varies | Varies by paper (AS/A2) |
Practical Endorsement: Skills Assessment
A Level Biology students also have a compulsory Practical Endorsement in Biology, except for Cambridge AS-only routes, where it may be optional.
The Practical Endorsement is a skills-based certificate awarded alongside A Level Biology, marked pass/fail. It assesses your experimental and analytical skills, including how you plan, carry out, and evaluate investigations, which is essential for applied biology and technical research roles.
Students will be tested on:
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analysing and interpreting data
- Evaluating methods and results
Though the practical endorsement doesn't count towards the final grade, some universities will require it for biology, medical, or technical courses.
Grade Boundaries and Grading Scale
Like other A Level subjects, Biology is graded from A* ("A-Star") to E based on the total marks across the written exams. Each year, grade boundaries are adjusted for exam difficulty to ensure fairness and consistency.
In legacy systems, some subjects used UMS marks to create "uniform" grades. Now, A Level Biology uses raw marks converted to notional grade boundaries based on national standards. This means your final grade reflects current exam difficulty and student performance.
The exam boards will publish these and make them available on results day.
Example Grade Boundaries
A*
90% and above
A
80% to 89%
B
70% to 79%
C
60% to 69%
D
50% to 59%
E
40% to 49%
Remember that these can vary slightly according to exam difficulty (usually calculated based on overall student performance).
Refer to the exam boards for the exact grade boundaries.
Key Dates for A Level Biology Exams in 2025
Here are the key dates for the A Level Biology exams in 2025. Be sure to make a note of them, as they're essential for sitting your exam and also key to effectively planning your revision.
AQA Exam Board
- Biology Paper 1: Thursday, 5 June 2025 (Afternoon), Duration: 2 hours
- Biology Paper 2: Friday, 13 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 2 hours
- Biology Paper 3: Wednesday, 18 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 2 hours
Edexcel (Pearson) Exam Board
- Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Paper 1: Monday, 12 May 2025 (Morning), Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Biology B Paper 1: Monday, 12 May 2025 (Morning), Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
OCR Exam Board
- Biological Processes (H420/01): Thursday, 5 June 2025 (Afternoon), Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Biological Diversity (H420/02): Friday, 13 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Unified Biology (H420/03): Wednesday, 18 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Eduqas (WJEC) Exam Board
- Biology Component 1: Tuesday, 3 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Biology Component 2: Thursday, 12 June 2025 (Afternoon), Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Biology Component 3: Monday, 16 June 2025 (Morning), Duration: 2 hours
A Level Results Day 2025
- Thursday, 14 August 2025
Revision Resources and Tips
Now that you know the exams, grade boundaries, and dates, it's time to start planning your revision.
Here are some great resources to get you started:
📚 Recommended Textbooks (2025 Edition)
- AQA A Level Biology by Nick Dixon, endorsed by AQA (2025 updated editions).
- OCR A Biology by Adrian Schmit and Richard Fosbery, aligned to the OCR specification.
- Edexcel A (Salters-Nuffield) Biology Student Book, Pearson (latest edition).
- Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology Coursebook (for international qualifications).
🌐 Online Revision Platforms
- Save My Exams – Past paper solutions, model answers, revision notes.
- Physics & Maths Tutor (Biology Section) – Condensed notes and past papers with mark schemes.
- Seneca Learning – Interactive learning, quizzes, and topic-based revision tailored to each exam board.
- Revision Science (Biology) – Free biology revision notes and past papers.
Alternatively, many students benefit from online tutoring biology options that fit around their busy schedules.
🎥 YouTube Channels for Biology
- Amoeba Sisters – Visual explanations of complex biological processes.
- SnapRevise – Focused A Level Biology tutorials.
- Primrose Kitten – Exam tips and walkthroughs for biology units.
Use past papers and mark schemes to track and follow a structured revision timetable with spaced repetition to reinforce memory.
For more help, search for biology tutors london on the Superprof website!
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