BIOLOGY
Subject title
Exam board
Exam board specification number
Time allowance each week
AS and A2 Biology
AQA
AS 7401 A2 7402
5 hours
AS Course
Types of Assessment
All assessment by external exams
AS Biology 1 7401/1
AS Biology 2 7401/2
Both of these examinations will test content from topics 1 -4
Both written examinations are taken in the summer series of Year 12.
Nature of assessments
BIOL1 7401/1
Examination paper (75 raw marks) 65 marks: short answer questions. 10 marks:
1 hour 30 minutes
50% of the total AS level marks
This exam does not contribute to A2 biology! (topics 1-4 will be tested again)
BIOL1 7401/2
Examination paper (75 raw marks) 65 marks: short answer questions. 10 marks:
extended response question) testing any content from topics 1-4.
1 hours 30 minutes
50% of the total AS marks
This exam does not contribute to A2 biology! (topics 1-4 will be tested again)
Topics:
1. Biological molecules
2. Cells
3. Exchange with environment
4. Genetic information
Skills developed during the course
Communication, Application of Number, Information Technology, Working with
Others, Improving Own Learning and Performance and Problem Solving
Home study
Expected time allocation for the subject
5 hours per week usually split equally between the subject teachers. Pupils are
expected to read their notes and work from each lesson and the relevant
sections of the text book to check their understanding. Students are also
expected to read ahead to facilitate class discussions..
Help for home study
All topics are covered on the VLE and contain PowerPoints, activity sheets, word
documents and links to website to help consolidate the subject knowledge.
Additional support for the course
There is no specification specific textbook or revision guide as yet (September
2014)
Old Specification Text book
AS Biology by Nelson Thornes ISBN 978-0-7487-8275-8
Websites
http://web.aqa.org.uk/biology-guide
Other sources of help
Staff organise after school revision sessions on the run up to the examinations.
Staff are always available to offer help to individual students
Additional information about the course
Students undertake an optional residential field course in June after their
examinations.
Retakes of examinations
The AS examinations do not contribute towards the A2 qualification. Students
who wish to retake their AS exams can do so in June of y13 but this cannot affect
their A2 result. It is therefore unlikely for anyone to retake if they continue to A2.
A2 Course
Types of Assessment
All assessment by external exams
A2 Biology 1 7402/1 (testing topics 1-4)
A2 Biology 2 7402/2 (testing topics 5-8)
A2 Biology 3 7402/3 (testing topics 1-8 Synoptic)
All written examinations are taken in the summer series of Year 13.
Nature of assessments
BIOL1 7402/1
Examination paper (91 raw marks) 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer
questions. 15 marks: extended response questions. Testing any content from
topics 1-4 and relevant practical skills.
2 hours
35% of the total A2 level marks
BIOL2 7402/2
Examination paper (91 raw marks) 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer
questions. 15 marks: comprehension question. Testing any content from topics 58 and relevant practical skills.
1 hours 30 minutes
35% of the total AS marks
Topics:
1. Biological molecules
2. Cells
3. Exchange with environment
4. Genetic information
5. Energy transfers
6. Response to changes in environment
7. The control of gene expression
Topics 1-4 are taught in year 12, topics 5-8 are taught in year 13 All are tested in
y13!
Home study
Expected time allocation for the subject
5 hours per week usually split equally between the subject teachers. Pupils are
expected to read their notes and work from each lesson and the relevant
sections of the text book to check their understanding. Students are also
expected to read ahead to facilitate class discussions..
Help for home study
All topics are covered on the VLE and contain PowerPoints, activity sheets, word
documents and links to website to help consolidate the subject knowledge.
Additional support for the course
There is no specification specific textbook or revision guide as yet
Websites
http://web.aqa.org.uk/biology-guide
Other sources of help
Staff organise after school revision sessions on the run up to the examinations.
Staff are always available to offer help to individual students