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IGCSE Biology
Subject content
Biology Paper 1 *Paper code 4BI1/1B and 4SD0/1B • Externally assessed • Availability: January and June • First assessment: June 2019 61.1% of the total International GCSE Content summary Assesses core content that is not in bold and does not have a ‘B’ reference. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. 1 The nature and variety of living organisms 2 Structures and functions in living organisms 3 Reproduction and inheritance 4 Ecology and the environment 5 Use of biological resources Assessment • The paper is assessed through a 2-hour written examination paper set and marked by Pearson. • The total number of marks is 110. • A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. • A calculator may be used in the examinations. Biology Paper 2 *Paper code 4BI1/2B • Externally assessed • Availability: January and June • First assessment: June 2019 38.9% of the total International GCSE Content summary Assesses all the content, including content that is in bold and has a ‘B’ reference. Questions may come from any topic area across the specification. Bold statements cover some sub-topics in greater depth. 1 The nature and variety of living organisms 2 Structures and functions in living organisms 3 Reproduction and inheritance 4 Ecology and the environment 5 Use of biological resources Assessment • The paper is assessed through a 1-hour and 15-minute written examination paper set and marked by Pearson. • The total number of marks is 70. • A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. • A calculator may be used in the examinations. |
AS and A-level Biology
Subject content Units Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II ASSESMENT IAS Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health *Unit code: WBI11/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: January 2019 80 marks 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL Content overview • Molecules, Transport and Health • Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression Assessment overview The paper may include multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. The paper will include a minimum of 8 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar contexts. IAS Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation *Unit code: WBI12/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: June 2019 80 marks 40% of the total IAS 20% of the total IAL Content overview • Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development • Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation Assessment overview The paper may include multiple-choice, short open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. The paper will include a minimum of 8 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Biology Specification – Issue 2 – February 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021 8 IAS Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology I *Unit code: WBI13/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: June 2019 50 marks 20% of the total IAS 10% of the total IAL Content overview Students are expected to develop experimental skills, and a knowledge and understanding of experimental techniques, by carrying out a range of practical experiments and investigations while they study units 1 and 2. This unit will assess students’ knowledge and understanding of experimental procedures and techniques that were developed in units 1 and 2. Assessment overview The paper may include short-open, open-response and calculation questions. The paper will include a minimum of 5 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of practical skills to familiar and unfamiliar situations. IA2 Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity *Unit code: WBI14/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: January 2020 90 marks 40% of the total IA2 20% of the total IAL Content overview • Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment • Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics Assessment overview The paper may include multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. The paper will include a minimum of 9 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from units 1 and 2. Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Biology Specification – Issue 2 – February 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021 9 IA2 Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology *Unit code: WBI15/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: June 2020 90 marks 40% of the total IA2 20% of the total IAL Content overview • Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment • Coordination, Response and Gene Technology Assessment overview The paper may include multiple-choice, short-open, open-response, calculations and extended-writing questions. Pre-released reading (scientific article) will be provided for this assessment. The paper will include a minimum of 9 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding to familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge and understanding from units 1 and 2. Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Biology Specification – Issue 2 – February 2021 © Pearson Education Limited 2021 10 IA2 Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II *Unit code: WBI16/01 Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes Availability: January, June and October First assessment: June 2020 50 marks 20% of the total IA2 10% of the total IAL Content overview Students are expected to develop further the experimental skills and the knowledge and understanding of experimental techniques they acquired in units 1 and 2, by carrying out a range of practical experiments and investigations while they study units 4 and 5. This unit will assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the experimental procedures and techniques that were developed in units 1, 2, 4 and 5. Assessment overview The paper may include short-open, open-response and calculation questions. The paper will include a minimum of 5 marks that target mathematics at Level 2 or above (see Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications). Candidates will be expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of practical skills to familiar and unfamiliar situations. *See Appendix 1: Codes for a description of this code and all other codes relevant to these qualifications. Calculators Calculators may be used in the examination. Please see Appendix 8: Use of calculators. |