Summary of Eduqas A-Level Biology Course

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Assessment

Core Concepts

Chemical elements & biological compounds

Cell Structure & organisation

Cell membranes & transport

Biological reactions & Enzymes

Nucleic acids & their functions

Component 1 - Energy for Life

Importance of ATP

Photosynthesis

Respiration

Microbiology

Population size & Ecosystems

Human impact on the environment

Component 2 - Continuity of Life

Classification & Biodiversity

The cell cycle & cell division

Sexual reproduction in humans

Sexual reproduction in plants

Inheritance

Variation & evolution

Application of reproduction & genetics

Component 3 - Requirements for Life

Adaptations for gas exchange

Adaptations for transport

Adaptations for nutrition

Homeostasis & the kidney

The nervous system

Option A: Immunology & disease

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Assessment Objectives

Examinations test not only your subject knowledge, but also skills associated with how you use that knowledge. These skills are described in Assessment objectives, and examination questions are written to reflect them.

Each component is equivalent to 33.3% of the total marks available.

You must meet these Assessment Objectives in the context of the subject content, which is given in detail in the specification.

Assessment objective AO1 - 10% marks of each component

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the context of the subject moment, which is given in detail in the specification.

Assessment objective AO2 - 15% marks of each component

Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures:

a) in a theoretical context

b) in a practical context

c) when handling quantitative data

d) when handling qualitative data

Assessment objective AO3 - 8.3% marks of each component

Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence to:

a) make judgements and reach conclusions

b) develop and refine practical design and procedures

Mathematical skills assessed will contribute to 10% of the marks, at a minimum. Practical skills assessed will contribute to 15% of the marks, at a minimum.

Examination questions will present information in novel situations. You are not expected to be familiar with these new scenarios, but you will be tested on how well you apply your own knowledge to them. It is essential to select and communicate information and ideas concisely and accurately, using appropriate scientific terminology. This skill will be tested within all three assessment objectives.

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The Examinations

The A Level qualification has three written examinations, described below.

No more than 10% of marks in a single paper will test simple recall (AO1). Most of the marks are awarded for the skills developed in application of scientific ideas (AO2) and analysis, interpretation and evaluation (AO3), as explained previously. You are expected to be able to link different parts of the specification together: there will be a small number of marks in each paper that require you to refer to information or concepts from other parts of the specification.

Component 1 - Energy for Life

Short and longer structured compulsory questions, some in a practical context; includes assessment of Core Concepts.

Exam length is 2 hours

100 Marks

Accounts for 33.3% of total marks

Component 2 - Continuity of Life

Short and longer structured compulsory question, some in a practical context; includes assessment of Core Concepts.

Exam length is 2 hours

100 Marks

Accounts for 33.3% of total marks

Component 3 - Requirements for Life

Section A: Short and longer compulsory questions, some in a practical context; includes assessment of Core Concepts.

80 Marks

Section B: Short and longer structured questions from a choice of 1 out of 3 options.

20 Marks

Overall accounts for 33.3% of total marks