Resources

GCSE Biology Specification at a glance

Unit 1: Biology 1

  • Written paper – 1 hour
  • 60 marks – 25%
  • Structured questions
    One longer response question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context

Unit 2: Biology 2

  • Written paper – 1 hour
  • 60 marks – 25%
  • Structured and closed questions
    At least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context

Unit 3: Biology 3

  • Written paper – 1 hour
  • 60 marks – 25%
  • Structured and closed questions
    At least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context

Unit 4: Controlled Assessment

  • Investigative Skills Assignment – 2 written assessments plus one or two lessons for practical work and data processing
  • 50 marks – 25%
  • Controlled Assessment:
    • we set the ISAs and send you all the information before the course starts
    • we outline the practical (or field) work candidates should do
    • we say what data processing they should do
    • you choose which of several ISAs to do and when
    • your candidates do the ISA test in class time
    • you mark their tests using marking guidance from us
    • we moderate your marks