Biology exam tips

Exam technique for Biology

AQA GCSE Biology rewards precise terminology, linking concepts, and applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts. Extended response questions (6 marks) assess Quality of Written Communication—spelling, grammar, and logical structure count. Practicals are integrated throughout, so understanding variables, controls, and method design is essential.

Paper-by-Paper Strategy

Paper 1

105 minutes • 100 marks • Both

Paper Structure

Topics 1-4100 marks

Cell biology, Organisation, Infection & response, Bioenergetics

  • •Use precise biological terms (e.g., "partially permeable membrane," not "skin of the cell")
  • •Link structure to function (e.g., "mitochondria have folded inner membrane to increase surface area for respiration")
  • •For 6-mark questions, plan a logical structure (intro → 3 points with evidence → conclusion)

Tackling Order

  1. 1Scan for recall questions (definitions, diagrams) and do them first
  2. 2Tackle practical-based questions while you're focused
  3. 3Save 6-mark extended responses until you've banked easier marks
  4. 4Attempt all questions—even partial answers earn marks

Time Allocation

Short-answer questions (1-3 marks)
Quick recall and application. Keep moving.
50m
Mid-length questions (4-5 marks)
Explanation and analysis. Take time to structure answers.
30m
6-mark extended response
Plan (2 min), write (12 min), check (2 min) per question.
18m
Final check
Check spellings of key terms, units, and that you answered the question.
7m

Paper 2

105 minutes • 100 marks • Both

Paper Structure

Topics 5-7100 marks

Homeostasis, Inheritance & variation, Ecology

  • •For homeostasis, explain the full negative feedback loop (stimulus → receptor → coordinator → effector → response)
  • •Use genetic diagrams correctly: label alleles, show working, state ratio
  • •For ecology, apply concepts to unfamiliar examples (e.g., a new food web or ecosystem)

Tackling Order

  1. 1Start with topics you revised most recently
  2. 2Do diagram-based questions early (food webs, genetic crosses) to warm up
  3. 3Tackle calculation questions when you're focused (photosynthesis rate, population size)
  4. 4Leave the longest written questions until you've banked marks

Time Allocation

Short-answer questions (1-3 marks)
Fast recall and simple application.
48m
Calculations and graphs
Show all working. Double-check units and scales.
25m
6-mark questions
Plan, write logically, and conclude.
20m
Final check
Re-read questions with "describe," "explain," or "compare."
12m

Command Words Decoded

State / Name / Give

1 mark per fact

Recall a fact, term, or example—no explanation needed

→Write the answer directly
→One word or short phrase is usually enough
→Spell scientific terms correctly
Example: "Name the organ where urea is produced." → Liver.

Describe

2-4 marks depending on detail required

Say what happens, without explaining why

→Write the sequence of events or observations
→Use linking words like "first," "then," "finally"
→No reasoning or causes—just the "what"
Example: "Describe what happens to the heart rate during exercise." → Heart rate increases, then returns to resting rate after exercise stops.

Explain

2-6 marks: expect to make multiple linked points

Say why or how something happens—link cause and effect

→Use "because," "this causes," "as a result"
→Link each point back to the question
→Include biological mechanisms (e.g., enzymes, diffusion)
Example: "Explain why the small intestine has villi." → Villi increase surface area, which increases the rate of absorption of nutrients into the blood.

Compare

3-4 marks: expect 2-3 comparative points

Identify similarities and differences between two things

→Use comparison words: "both," "whereas," "however," "in contrast"
→Make direct comparisons (e.g., "X has Y, but Z has W")
→Cover both items equally
Example: "Compare osmosis and active transport." → Both move substances across membranes, but osmosis is passive (no energy) whereas active transport requires energy.

Suggest

2-3 marks for plausible reasoning

Apply your knowledge to a new or unfamiliar situation

→Use biological principles you've learned
→Make a reasoned guess based on evidence
→You won't have been taught the exact answer—use logic
Example: "Suggest why the plant died when kept in the dark." → Plants need light for photosynthesis to produce glucose for energy. Without light, it can't make food.

Calculate

2-3 marks: method + accuracy

Work out a numerical answer

→Show all working step-by-step
→Write the formula first (if applicable)
→Include units in your final answer
→Round to 2 d.p. or 3 s.f. unless told otherwise
Example: "Calculate the percentage increase in heart rate." → (new - old) / old × 100. Show substitution and answer with %.

Evaluate

4-6 marks: balance, evidence, conclusion

Weigh up evidence and make a judgment

→Present arguments for and against
→Assess the quality of data or conclusions
→Conclude with a balanced judgment
Example: "Evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination." → Benefits: prevents disease, herd immunity. Risks: rare side effects. Overall, benefits outweigh risks.

Use information from the graph/table

2-3 marks for accurate data use

Quote data or describe patterns shown

→Quote specific numbers from the data
→Describe the trend (increasing, decreasing, levelling off)
→Reference the axes/columns by name
Example: "Use the graph to describe the rate of photosynthesis." → Rate increases from 0-30°C, peaks at 30°C (8 units), then decreases.

Timing Strategy

~1 minute per mark, plus 10 minutes for final checks

Key Strategies

  • ✓Skim the whole paper (3 minutes) to identify familiar questions
  • ✓Do 1-2 mark recall questions first to build confidence
  • ✓For 6-mark questions, spend 2 minutes planning your structure
  • ✓If you're stuck, move on—every mark counts, even from other questions
  • ✓Write something for every question, even if you're unsure
Buffer Time

Aim to finish with 7-10 minutes spare

When You're Stuck

  • →Reread the question and underline key terms
  • →Write what you know about the topic, even if it's not perfect
  • →Use the question's wording to guide your answer
  • →Check if there's a diagram or data to help you
  • →Move on and come back later

Mark Scheme Insights

Precise terminology

Examiners want specific biological vocabulary, not everyday words.

Examples

  • •Say "partially permeable membrane," not "the wall"
  • •Say "mitochondria," not "the powerhouse"
  • •Say "turgid," not "swollen with water"

Mark Boosters

  • ✓Learn spellings of key terms
  • ✓Use the question's wording to guide which terms to include
  • ✓If you can't spell a word, write it anyway—partial marks are possible

Linking points

Mark schemes reward answers that connect ideas (e.g., structure → function → effect).

Examples

  • •"Villi have a large surface area [structure], which increases absorption [function], so more nutrients enter the blood [effect]."
  • •"Stomata close [observation], reducing water loss [effect], which prevents wilting [consequence]."

Mark Boosters

  • ✓Use connectives: "because," "therefore," "this causes"
  • ✓Chain your ideas logically
  • ✓Don't just list facts—show how they're related

Extended response structure

6-mark questions assess QWC. You need logical flow, paragraphs, and correct grammar.

Examples

  • •Introduction: restate the question or define key terms
  • •Middle: 3-4 developed points with evidence
  • •Conclusion: summarize or make a judgment

Mark Boosters

  • ✓Plan before you write (2 minutes): jot down 3 main points
  • ✓Use paragraphs or bullet points to organize ideas
  • ✓Avoid repeating the same point in different words
  • ✓Check spelling of scientific terms

Data interpretation

You must quote data or describe patterns explicitly—don't assume examiners can see what you see.

Examples

  • •"The rate increased from 2 to 8 units between 0°C and 30°C" (quote numbers)
  • •"The graph shows a positive correlation" (describe pattern)

Mark Boosters

  • ✓Always reference the data source ("the graph shows...", "the table indicates...")
  • ✓Quote specific values or ranges
  • ✓Describe trends using keywords: increase, decrease, plateau, correlation

Practical skills

Questions about experiments test your understanding of variables, controls, and method design.

Examples

  • •Independent variable: what you change
  • •Dependent variable: what you measure
  • •Control variables: what you keep the same
  • •Why repeat readings: to identify anomalies and calculate a mean

Mark Boosters

  • ✓Identify all three variable types explicitly
  • ✓Explain why controls are needed (to make it a fair test)
  • ✓Suggest improvements: larger sample size, more repeats, control more variables

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using vague or everyday language

Why: Don't know the precise term, so use a description
Fix: Revise key vocabulary lists. If stuck, use the question's wording as a clue.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1 mark per vague answer

Not reading the command word

Why: Rush to answer without checking what's actually being asked
Fix: Circle "explain," "describe," "compare" in the question. They need different approaches.
⚠️ Lost marks: 2-4 marks if you describe instead of explain

Writing too little for high-mark questions

Why: Think one sentence is enough for a 4-6 mark question
Fix: Aim for 1-2 sentences per mark. Develop each point fully.
⚠️ Lost marks: 2-3 marks for underdeveloped answers

Not quoting data from graphs/tables

Why: Describe the pattern but forget to include the numbers
Fix: Always quote at least two data points ("increased from X to Y").
⚠️ Lost marks: 1-2 marks per data question

Forgetting units

Why: Focus on the number, forget the question involves measurements
Fix: Circle the unit in the question and write it next to your answer.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1 mark per calculation

Not showing working for calculations

Why: Do the calculation on the calculator and just write the answer
Fix: Write the formula, substitute values, then calculate. Method marks are easier than accuracy marks.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1-2 method marks

Mixing up similar processes (osmosis vs diffusion vs active transport)

Why: They're all about movement, easy to confuse under pressure
Fix: Learn a key fact for each: osmosis = water only, diffusion = high to low, active transport = needs energy.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1-2 marks per mix-up

Leaving 6-mark questions unstructured

Why: Just write everything you know in a brain dump
Fix: Plan 3 points, write in logical order, use paragraphs. QWC marks require structure.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1-2 QWC marks

Not identifying control variables

Why: Focus on independent/dependent, forget about what stays constant
Fix: Ask yourself: "What else could affect the result?" Those are your controls.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1-2 marks per practical question

Spelling key terms wrong

Why: Mitochondria, chloroplast, alveoli—tricky spellings
Fix: Revise spellings actively. Use flashcards. Write them out repeatedly.
⚠️ Lost marks: 1 mark if the misspelling changes meaning

Last-Minute Tips

  • ★Photosynthesis equation: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (reverse for respiration)
  • ★Enzyme action: active site is specific, denatured by high temp/extreme pH
  • ★Mitosis: growth and repair, produces identical cells. Meiosis: gametes, produces variation.
  • ★Negative feedback loop: stimulus → receptor → coordinator → effector → response → back to normal
  • ★Genetic diagram: always show gametes, Punnett square, genotype ratio, phenotype ratio
  • ★Trophic levels: producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer. Energy lost at each stage (90%).
  • ★Diffusion rate increases with: larger surface area, shorter distance, greater concentration gradient
  • ★ADH: controls water reabsorption in kidneys. More ADH = more water reabsorbed = concentrated urine.
  • ★Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Viruses live inside cells, antibiotics can't reach them.
  • ★Stem cells: embryonic (can become any cell), adult (limited types). Ethical concerns with embryonic.

Formula Sheet Tips

  • •No formula sheet in Biology, but you do get a periodic table if needed for chemistry overlap
  • •Memorize calculation formulas: magnification = image / actual, percentage change = (change / original) × 100
  • •Practice rearranging formulas (e.g., actual size = image size / magnification)