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Assessment
How Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology is assessed
AS Level is Papers 1, 2 and 3. The full A Level adds Papers 4 and 5, either all in one series or staged, with AS taken first.
Syllabus 9700, for exams in 2025–2027. Cambridge has published a new syllabus for 2028 onwards.
AS Level (Papers 1–3)
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
40 multiple-choice questions on AS content
- Time
- 1 h 15 min
- Marks
- 40
- Weight
- 31% of AS, 15.5% of A Level
Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions
Structured questions on AS content
- Time
- 1 h 15 min
- Marks
- 60
- Weight
- 46% of AS, 23% of A Level
Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills
Practical work and structured questions
- Time
- 2 h
- Marks
- 40
- Weight
- 23% of AS, 11.5% of A Level
A Level adds Papers 4 and 5
Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions
Structured questions on A Level content, building on AS
- Time
- 2 h
- Marks
- 100
- Weight
- 38.5% of A Level
Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
Written questions on planning experiments and analysing data
- Time
- 1 h 15 min
- Marks
- 30
- Weight
- 11.5% of A Level
Practical skills are tested in exams, with no coursework: Paper 3 is a timed practical, and Paper 5 is a written paper on planning, analysis and evaluation.
From the official Cambridge International syllabus, checked October 2026. Read the syllabus
Syllabus content
What’s on the Cambridge International A Level Biology syllabus
AS Level
- Cell structure
- Biological molecules
- Enzymes
- Cell membranes and transport
- The mitotic cell cycle
- Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
- Transport in plants
- Transport in mammals
- Gas exchange
- Infectious diseases
- Immunity
A Level
- Energy and respiration
- Photosynthesis
- Homeostasis
- Control and coordination
- Inheritance
- Selection and evolution
- Classification, biodiversity and conservation
- Genetic technology
Where marks are lost
Common Cambridge International A Level Biology mistakes
Saying mitosis makes gametes.
Mitosis makes genetically identical cells for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Meiosis halves the chromosome number and makes gametes.
Mixing units in magnification.
Magnification = image size ÷ actual size, with both in the same unit first. 1 mm = 1000 µm.
Writing that respiration “makes energy”.
Energy can’t be made. Respiration releases energy, which is used to make ATP, and hydrolysing ATP releases it for use in the cell.
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Cambridge International A Level Biology questions, answered.
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