A-level Biology: topics, exams, practicals and grades
The third most popular A-level. What you study, how AQA, OCR and Edexcel examine it, the practical endorsement and how hard it is to get an A.
A-level Biology is one of the most popular A-levels, with nearly 74,000 entries in 2026. It is essential for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and most biological science degrees, and useful for nursing, psychology and sports science. It involves a lot of content, careful use of scientific language and more maths than many students expect: at least 10% of marks test maths skills.
What you study
- Biological molecules, cells and the immune system.
- How organisms exchange substances: gas exchange, digestion, transport in animals and plants.
- Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms.
- Energy transfers: photosynthesis and respiration.
- Responses to stimuli, nervous coordination and homeostasis.
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems, and gene expression.
The exact topics depend on the exam board your school or college uses, so check its specification.
How it is examined
Like all reformed A-levels, it is a linear two-year course: you sit all the exams at the end of Year 13, and an AS taken along the way does not count towards the A-level.
| Exam board | Code | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| AQA | 7402 | Three 2-hour papers. |
| OCR A | H420 | Three papers: two of 2 hours 15 minutes and one of 1½ hours. |
| OCR B (Advancing Biology) | H422 | Three papers, with a context-led approach. |
| Pearson Edexcel A (Salters-Nuffield) | 9BN0 | Three papers, taught through real-life contexts. |
| Pearson Edexcel B | 9BI0 | Three papers. |
Coursework: None, but see the practical endorsement below. Calculator: Calculators are allowed.
As in all A-level sciences, you also carry out a set of practical activities in class. Your teacher assesses them for the practical endorsement, which is reported separately as Pass or Not classified; it does not change your grade, but many universities expect a Pass. Questions about practical work also make up at least 15% of the marks in the written exams.
Grades and how hard it is
In summer 2026, 73,925 students took A-level Biology in the UK. 9.3% were awarded an A* and 27.8% an A* or A, compared with about 28% across all A-levels in England. See how subjects compare in the hardest and easiest A-levels.
Entry requirements: Usually a grade 6 or 7 in GCSE Biology or combined science, plus a 6 in Maths.
Where it can lead
A-level Biology is useful for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, biomedical science, nursing, pharmacy, environmental science and biology degrees.
Goes well with: Chemistry, Psychology, Maths, Geography, Physical Education.
Work out what your predicted grades are worth with our UCAS points calculator.
Tips for doing well
- Learn the exact wording in your board’s mark schemes; marks often depend on key terms.
- Practise the maths: statistics tests, percentages, rates and standard form come up every year.
- Take Chemistry too if you are thinking about medicine.
Questions people ask
Is A-level Biology hard?
The ideas are accessible, but there is a lot to learn and exam questions demand precise answers. In 2026, 27.8% of entries got an A* or A.
Do you need Chemistry with Biology?
Not to take Biology, but medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and many biochemistry courses require A-level Chemistry.
What is the practical endorsement?
A separate Pass or Not classified result for the practical work you do in class. It does not affect your grade, but universities may ask for a Pass.
