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1 AS AND A-LEVELBIOLOGYAS (7401) A-level (7402)SpecificationsFor teaching from September 2015 onwardsFor AS exams in May/June 2016 onwardsFor A-level exams in May/June 2017 onwardsVersion April 2017 Copyright 2017 AQA and its licensors. All rights retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, schools and colleges registered with AQA are permitted to copy material from these specifications for their own internal Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 help and supportVisit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at can talk directly to the Science subject teamE: 01483 477 756 3AS Biology (7401) and A-level Biology (7402).

2 AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationContents1 Introduction Why choose AQA for AS and A-level Biology support and resources to help you teach 62 Specification at a glance Subject content AS A-level 93 Subject content Biological molecules Cells Organisms exchange substances with their environment Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only) Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only) Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only)

3 The control of gene expression (A-level only) 514 Scheme of assessment Aims Assessment objectives Assessment weightings 585 General administration Entries and codes Overlaps with other qualifications Awarding grades and reporting results Re-sits and shelf life Previous learning and prerequisites Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion Working with AQA for the first time Private candidates 616 Mathematical requirements and exemplifications Arithmetic and numerical computation Handling data Algebra Graphs Geometry and trigonometry 664 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationAre you using the latest version of these specifications?

4 You will always find the most up-to-date version of these specifications on our website at We will write to you if there are significant changes to these AS practical assessment Use of apparatus and techniques AS required practical activities Practical skills to be assessed in written papers 698 A-level practical assessment Use of apparatus and techniques A-level required practical activities Practical skills to be assessed in written papers A-level practical skills to be assessed via endorsement 73 Vertical black lines indicate a significant change or addition to the previous version of this specification. 5AS Biology (7401) and A-level Biology (7402).

5 AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level BiologyRelevant in the classroom and the real worldWe involved over a thousand teachers in developing these specifications, to ensure that the subject content is relevant to real world experiences and is interesting to teach and learn. We ve also presented it in a straightforward way, giving you the freedom to teach in the way that works for your Biology is a stepping stone to future study, which is why we also consulted universities to ensure these specifications allow students to develop the skills that they want to approach has led to specifications that will support you to inspire students, nurture a passion for Biology and lay the groundwork for further study in courses like biological sciences and way you teach your choiceThese specifications have been written in a context-free style.

6 This means that you can select the context and applications that you feel bring the subject alive. You can also teach to your strengths and to your students needs. To support you, we have produced a range of excellent teaching resources that you can use alongside your at the heart of scienceLike you, we believe that Biology is fundamentally an experimental subject. These specifications provide numerous opportunities to use practical experiences to link theory to reality, and equip students with the essential practical skills they AS and A-level togetherWe ve ensured that the AS and A-level are fully co-teachable. The AS exams include similar questions to those in the A-level, with less difficulty, allowing for future growth.

7 We ve created our A-level content with our GCSE in mind to make sure that there is a seamless progression between qualifications. We ve also followed ASE guidance on use of scientific terminology across our science successWe ve tested our specimen question papers with students, making sure they re interesting, straightforward and clear and hold no hidden surprises. To ensure that your students are rewarded for the biology skills and knowledge they ve developed, our exams include: accessible assessments allowing students of various abilities to shine a choice of two essay questions giving students more opportunities to bring together knowledge of the whole specification (A-level only).

8 With us, your students will get the results they deserve, from the exam board you can find out about all our science qualifications at for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and support and resources to help you teachWe know that support and resources are vital for your teaching and that you have limited time to find or develop good quality materials. So we ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for resourcesWe have too many Biology resources to list here so visit to see them all. They include: additional practice papers to help students prepare for exams guidance on how to plan both the AS and A-level courses with supporting schemes of work for co-teaching several AQA-approved student textbooks reviewed by experienced senior examiners resources to support key topics, with detailed lesson plans written by experienced teachers training courses to help you deliver AQA Biology qualifications subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly-qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh for examsVisit for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including.

9 Past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions exemplar student answers with examiner your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit your skills up to date with professional developmentWherever you are in your career, there s always something new to learn.

10 As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills. Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements. Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at Biology (7401) and A-level Biology (7402). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationGet help and supportVisit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at You can talk directly to the Biology subject teamE: 01483 477 7568 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration2 Specification at a glanceThese qualifications are linear.