Revising for OCR A A Level Biology can feel overwhelming at first – there’s a lot of content, plenty of practical skills and some tricky exam questions. The good news? Once you understand how the exams are structured and how to revise smartly, it becomes much more manageable 💪
📑 How Many Papers Are There?
👉For OCR-A A Level Biology, there are three exam papers in total:
Paper 1: Biological Processes
Paper 2: Biological Diversity
Paper 3: Unified Biology
👉All three papers are equally important, so you’ll need to revise content from across the whole course.
📑 Paper 1: Breadth in Biology
⏰Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
🏆Marks: 70 marks (50% of total grade)
📌Content: Both papers assess content from all four modules
Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
Module 2: Foundations in biology
Module 3: Exchange and transport
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
❓Question Types:
Multiple choice questions
Test key facts and understanding
Often based on definitions, processes or diagrams
Short-answer questions
Define biological terms
Describe processes (e.g. diffusion, transpiration)
Label diagrams (cells, heart, blood vessels)
Calculation and maths-based questions
Percentage change
Rates of reaction (e.g. enzyme activity)
Surface area : volume
Mean and simple graph interpretation
Data interpretation questions
Interpreting tables and graphs
Describing trends and patterns
Suggesting explanations using biological knowledge
Extended response questions
Explain biological processes step-by-step
Use precise scientific language
Often linked to unfamiliar contexts
👉 This paper rewards clear explanations and confident use of biological terminology.
📑 Paper 2: Depth in Biology
⏰Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
🏆Marks: 70 marks (50% of total grade)
📌Content: The same content as paper 1.
Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
Module 2: Foundations in biology
Module 3: Exchange and transport
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
❓Question Types:
Short-answer questions
Recall of knowledge (e.g. immunity, classification)
Simple explanations of biological ideas
Data-based questions
Larger data sets than Paper 1
Drawing conclusions from evidence
Using data to support explanations
Practical-based questions
Identifying independent, dependent and control variables
Assessing reliability, accuracy and validity
Suggesting improvements to investigations
Graph and table skills
Plotting graphs (bar charts, line graphs)
Interpreting population and biodiversity data
Identifying anomalies
Extended response questions
Explain adaptations and evolutionary processes
Discuss disease prevention or immune responses
Structured, logical answers are essential
👉 This paper often tests application of knowledge rather than simple recall.
📑 Paper 1: Biological Processes
⏰Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
🏆Marks: 100 marks (37% of total grade)
📌Content: Paper 1 focuses on how biological systems work, especially at a cellular and biochemical level.
Topics assessed in Paper 1:
Module 1: Development of Practical Skills in Biology
(Practical skills, data analysis, experimental techniques)
Module 2: Foundations in Biology
Module 3: Exchange and Transport
Exchange surfaces
Transport in animals
Transport in plants
Module 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy
👉 Expect questions that involve processes, calculations, graphs and explanations using key biological terminology.
❓Question Types:
Multiple choice questions
Test key facts and understanding
Often based on processes like enzymes, membranes or respiration
Short answer questions
Definitions
Simple explanations
Labelling diagrams
Calculation questions
Rates of reaction
Percentages and ratios
Surface area : volume calculations
Data analysis and graph interpretation
Interpreting tables and graphs
Explaining trends and anomalies
Longer written questions
Step-by-step explanations of processes
Use of correct biological terminology is essential
👉 This paper rewards clear explanations and accurate use of key terms.
📑 Paper 2: Biological Diversity
⏰Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
🏆Marks: 100 marks (37% of total grade)
📌Content: Paper 2 is all about variation survival, and interactions between organisms and their environment.
Topics assessed in Paper 2:
Module 1: Development of Practical Skills in Biology
(Again – practical questions can appear here too!)
Module 2: Foundations in Biology
Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease
Communicable diseases
Disease prevention and treatment
Immune system
Biodiversity and conservation
Evolution and selection
Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems
Cellular control
Patterns of inheritance
Manipulating genomes
Cloning and biotechnology
Ecosystems and populations
Sustainability
👉 This paper often includes data-heavy questions, genetics problems and longer responses linking ideas together 🧬
❓Question Types:
Short answer questions
Knowledge recall
Explanation of biological ideas (e.g. immunity, selection)
Genetics and inheritance questions
Genetic crosses and ratios
Interpreting pedigree diagrams
Data-based questions
Large data sets
Drawing and interpreting graphs
Making conclusions from evidence
Practical-based questions
Identifying variables
Suggesting improvements to investigations
Assessing reliability and validity
Extended response questions
Evaluating evidence
Explaining adaptations or evolutionary processes
Linking multiple ideas together
👉 This paper often requires careful reading and structured answers 📊
📑 Paper 3: Unified Biology
⏰Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
🏆Marks: 70 marks (26% of total grade)
📌Content: Paper 3 tests your ability to link topics from across the entire course and apply your knowledge in unfamiliar contexts.
Topics assessed in Paper 3:
ALL content from Modules 1–6
This includes:
Biological Processes (Paper 1 content)
Biological Diversity (Paper 2 content)
Practical skills and experimental design
Synoptic questions that combine multiple topics
👉 You’ll see:
Longer, more challenging questions
Evaluation of experiments
Linked topics (e.g. genetics + respiration + ecosystems)
Big-picture thinking 🧠
❓Question Types:
Synoptic questions
Combine topics from different modules
Example: genetics + enzymes + ecosystems
Experimental design questions
Planning investigations
Identifying controls and variables
Justifying methods
Evaluation questions
Commenting on limitations
Suggesting realistic improvements
Assessing conclusions
Heavy data analysis
Interpreting complex tables and graphs
Drawing reasoned conclusions
Using data to support answers
Longer extended responses
Logical, well-structured answers
Clear links between topics
Strong scientific reasoning
👉 Paper 3 rewards deep understanding, not memorisation 🧠
✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:
1. Know the Specification✅
Print out the OCR A specification and use it as a checklist ✔️
If a point is on the spec, it can come up – even the small details!
2. Focus on Understanding, Not Just Memorising🧠
Biology isn’t just about facts – examiners want explanations.
Ask yourself “why?” and “how?”
Use diagrams and flowcharts to link ideas
Teach a topic out loud to test your understanding 🎤
3. Practise Exam Questions Early📊
This is one of the most important revision strategies!
Use past papers and topic questions
Practise 6-mark answers regularly
Always check the mark schemes to see how marks are awarded
Tip: Use key biological terms – OCR loves precise language 🧬
4. Don’t Ignore Practical Skills🧫
Practical questions appear in all three papers.
Make sure you can:
Identify variables
Describe methods
Evaluate experiments
Interpret tables and graphs
The more practice you do, the more confident you’ll feel 💡
5. Get Comfortable with Biology Maths🧮
Around 10% of marks involve maths.
Revise:
Percentages and ratios
Standard deviation
Graphs and data interpretation
A little maths practice goes a long way 📈
6. Revise Little and Often🗓️
Cramming doesn’t work well for Biology.
Use spaced revision
Mix topics from Paper 1 and 2
Regularly revisit older content
Consistency = confidence 🙌
Final Thoughts 🌟
OCR A A Level Biology is challenging, but with:
A clear understanding of the exam papers
Regular exam question practice
Strong practical and maths skills
…you’ll be in a great position to succeed 🧠
