A Level Biology tutor online (9700)
Taught for Cambridge (CAIE), Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR.
At a glance
Our A Level Biology tutors teach Cambridge International 9700, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (units WBI11 to WBI16), AQA 7402, OCR Biology A H420 and Pearson Edexcel Biology A (9BN0) and Biology B (9BI0). Live 1:1 or small-group online classes cover the full syllabus, extended answers, data handling and practical skills.
A Level Biology key facts
| Cambridge (CAIE) | Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700), 5 papers/components (official syllabus) |
|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Biology (YBI11), 6 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| AQA | AQA A-level Biology (7402), 3 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| OCR | OCR A Level Biology A (H420), 3 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| Pearson Edexcel | Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BN0), 3 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| Pearson Edexcel | Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology B (9BI0), 3 papers/components (official syllabus) |
| Cambridge May/June series | Exams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August. |
| Cambridge October/November series | Exams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January. |
| Pearson Edexcel International A Level series | Exams are offered in January, May/June and October/November series. |
| UK A Levels (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel) series | Exams run in May and June; results are released in mid-August. |
| Topics covered | 12 syllabus topics, with past-paper practice |
| Lesson format | Live online, 1:1 (60 min) or small group (75 min); first class free |
Facts last verified:
A Level Biology is a core subject for students heading towards medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, biomedical science, nursing, psychology and environmental courses. It develops IGCSE, O Level or GCSE Biology into molecular detail: protein structure, gene expression, immunology and the biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis. Students coming from a strong science background usually recognise the topics but discover that every answer now needs a precise mechanism rather than a general description.
Cambridge 9700 uses the five-paper Cambridge science structure, so the practical exam and the planning paper together carry almost a quarter of the A Level. Pearson's International A Level has six units sat in January, June or October. In the UK, AQA 7402 has three papers including an essay, OCR H420 has three papers with a synoptic third paper, and Edexcel offers two separate specifications, Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) and Biology B, both assessed linearly.
The volume of content is what surprises most students, but marks are lost through imprecise wording more than missing knowledge. Writing 'enzymes are killed' instead of 'denatured', or 'energy is produced' instead of 'released', costs credit on every board. Graph and statistics questions, including chi-squared and standard deviation, also feature heavily. Our tutors drill mark-scheme vocabulary topic by topic and practise data questions until interpreting unfamiliar graphs becomes routine.
How is A Level Biology (9700) examined?
Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700)
Official syllabus from Cambridge (CAIE)| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 31% of AS Level / 15.5% of A Level |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | 1 hour 15 minutes | 60 | 46% of AS Level / 23% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical SkillsLaboratory-based practical exam. | 2 hours | 40 | 23% of AS Level / 11.5% of A Level |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | 2 hours | 100 | 38.5% of A Level |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and EvaluationWritten paper on experimental design and data handling. | 1 hour 15 minutes | 30 | 11.5% of A Level |
2025–2027 syllabus. AS Level: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers. Series: May/June and October/November.
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Biology (YBI11)
Official syllabus from Pearson Edexcel| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 (WBI11): Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 2 (WBI12): Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 3 (WBI13): Practical Skills in Biology I | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 20% of IAS / 10% of IAL |
| Unit 4 (WBI14): Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 5 (WBI15): Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 6 (WBI16): Practical Skills in Biology II | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 10% of IAL |
Units available in January, June and October. The IAS comprises Units 1–3.
AQA A-level Biology (7402)
Official syllabus from AQA| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 176 marks of short and long answer questions; 15 marks of extended response. | 2 hours | 91 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 276 marks of short and long answer questions; 15-mark comprehension question. | 2 hours | 91 | 35% of A Level |
| Paper 338 marks of structured questions, 15 marks of critical analysis of experimental data, 25-mark essay. | 2 hours | 78 | 30% of A Level |
Linear: all exams in May/June of one year.
OCR A Level Biology A (H420)
Official syllabus from OCR| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Biological processes | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Biological diversity | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Unified biology | 1 hour 30 minutes | 70 | 26% of A Level |
Current specification version is for first assessment in 2025.
Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BN0)
Official syllabus from Pearson Edexcel| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in BiologyIncludes questions on a pre-released scientific article. | 2 hours | 100 | 33.33% of A Level |
Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology B (9BI0)
Official syllabus from Pearson Edexcel| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Biology | 2 hours 30 minutes | 120 | 40% of A Level |
Cambridge May/June series
Exams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August.
Cambridge October/November series
Exams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level series
Exams are offered in January, May/June and October/November series.
UK A Levels (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel) series
Exams run in May and June; results are released in mid-August.
Exam facts last verified:
Plan your revision with our exam dates guide, the official A Level grade thresholds and where to find official past papers.
What topics are in A Level Biology?
- 1
Cell structure
Calculating magnification without converting millimetres to micrometres first.
- 2
Biological molecules
Describing a glycosidic bond as forming 'with water' instead of releasing water in condensation.
- 3
Enzymes
Saying high temperature 'kills' enzymes rather than changing the active site shape so substrates no longer fit.
- 4
Cell membranes and transport
Explaining osmosis in terms of water concentration instead of water potential.
- 5
The mitotic cell cycle
Listing mitosis stages in the right order but not describing chromosome behaviour in each.
- 6
Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
Confusing the codon on mRNA with the anticodon on tRNA.
- 7
Transport in plants and mammals
Omitting cohesion–tension when explaining how water moves up the xylem.
- 8
Gas exchange, infectious diseases and immunity
Mixing up the roles of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the immune response.
- 9
Energy, respiration and photosynthesis
Stating that ATP 'contains energy' without referring to hydrolysis releasing energy.
- 10
Homeostasis and control and coordination
Describing negative feedback without naming the receptor, effector and corrective response.
- 11
Inheritance, selection and evolution
Setting out genetic crosses without a key to the alleles or a clear Punnett square.
- 12
Classification, biodiversity, conservation and genetic technology
Calculating Simpson's index correctly but not interpreting what the value shows.
Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp
How do our online Biology classes work?
Diagnostic
A short check of what your child already knows against the syllabus.
Topic teaching
Clear explanations on a shared whiteboard, one topic at a time.
Past-paper practice
Exam questions from your board, timed and marked to the mark scheme.
Feedback
What went well, what to fix and what to practise before next class.
Who teaches A Level Biology?
5 years- Biology
How do you get top marks in A Level Biology?
Use precise mark-scheme vocabulary: denatured, water potential, complementary, and released rather than produced.
For 'describe' graph questions, quote specific values with units and identify the trend at each change of gradient.
Plan six-mark and essay answers in brief bullet points so each scientific point appears once and in a logical order.
In statistics questions, state the null hypothesis, compare with the critical value and conclude in context.
Practise annotating practical diagrams and tables; column headings need quantities and units, not units alone.
How much does A Level Biology tutoring cost?
Prices shown in US dollars
- Recommended
One-to-one
Fully personalised to your child
USD 35 / class
- 60-minute live classes at times you choose
- A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
- Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
- Progress notes for parents
Small group
Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month
USD 10 / class
- 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
- Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
- Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
- Class recordings and notes
Intensive exam prep
12 one-to-one classes a month before exams
USD 32 / class
- Three 60-minute classes a week
- Timed past papers and full mock exams
- Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
- Pack discount of 10% applied
Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ
A Level Biology FAQs
How can I get an A* in A Level Biology?
An A* in A Level Biology comes from combining detailed content knowledge with precise exam wording and strong data-analysis skills. Learn each topic from the specification, then practise questions until your answers match mark-scheme language. Time yourself on essays or extended responses, and revisit statistics and practical skills often. Reviewing every marked past paper shows exactly where marks are slipping away.
Is A Level Biology hard?
A Level Biology is demanding mainly because of the volume of content and the precision required in written answers. Many students find the concepts easier to picture than in Physics or Chemistry, but recall must be detailed and accurate. Data questions and statistical tests add a mathematical element. Consistent revision through the course works better than intensive memorising at the end.
What is the difference between Edexcel Biology A and Biology B?
Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield, 9BN0) teaches biology through real-world contexts such as health and sport, while Biology B (9BI0) follows a more traditional topic-by-topic route. Both are full A Levels covering similar core biology. Their papers differ: Biology A uses three two-hour papers, one with a pre-released article, whereas Biology B uses two shorter papers and a longer practical-principles paper.
Can I take A Level Biology without Chemistry?
Yes, you can take A Level Biology without Chemistry, although topics such as biological molecules, enzymes and respiration draw heavily on chemical ideas. Students without Chemistry should review bonding, pH and reaction basics early in the course. Keep in mind that medicine, dentistry and many biomedical degrees expect Chemistry as well, so check course requirements first.
Which A Level subjects go well with Biology?
Chemistry is the most common partner for A Level Biology, especially for medicine and life sciences, and Psychology, Mathematics and Geography also combine well. Chemistry supports the biochemistry topics, Maths helps with statistics and data analysis, and Psychology overlaps with neuroscience. Choose combinations based on the entry requirements of the degrees you are considering.
Still deciding? Ask us on WhatsApp
Related subjects and guides
- A Level Chemistry
- A Level Psychology
- O Level Biology
- IGCSE Biology
- A Level Maths
- A Level Further Maths
- All A Level subjects
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