How many papers is AQA A-level Biology?

AQA A-level Biology (7402) has 3 exam papers: Paper 1 (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%); Paper 2 (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%); Paper 3 (2 hours, 78 marks, 30%).

How is AQA A-level Biology assessed?

Mainly by written exams at the end of the course — Paper 1 (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%); Paper 2 (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%); Paper 3 (2 hours, 78 marks, 30%). There are 12 required practicals, assessed through questions in the written papers. A separate teacher-assessed practical endorsement (Pass / Not Classified) is reported alongside the A*–E grade.

What do you study in AQA A-level Biology?

The main topics are: 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), The control of gene expression (A-level only). These are set by the 7402 specification (current for exams from June 2016).

AQA A-level Biology: specification & assessment

AQA specification 7402 · Version 1.5, 26 November 2021 · for teaching from September 2015, exams June 2016 onwards · checked July 2026

AQA A-level Biology (7402) is assessed by 3 exam papers. Here's the exam structure, the assessment objectives and what you study — straight from AQA's specification.

Reform watch:England's 2025 Curriculum & Assessment Review doesn't change GCSE or A-level content until reformed specs are first taught (national curriculum September 2028; updated GCSEs from 2029). Your 2026–2028 exams use the current specification. What's changing →

Exam papers

Paper	Length	Marks	Weighting
Paper 1Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills	2 hours	91	35%
Paper 2Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills	2 hours	91	35%
Paper 3Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills	2 hours	78	30%

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual for Biology and describe the skills the exams reward. The weightings are for the whole A-level.

AO	What it assesses	Weighting
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures	30-35% (overall, approx). Component weightings approx: Paper 1 44-48%, Paper 2 23-27%, Paper 3 28-32%.
AO2	Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: in a theoretical context; in a practical context; when handling qualitative data; when handling quantitative data	40-45% (overall, approx). Component weightings approx: Paper 1 30-34%, Paper 2 52-56%, Paper 3 35-39%.
AO3	Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to: make judgements and reach conclusions; develop and refine practical design and procedures	25-30% (overall, approx). Component weightings approx: Paper 1 20-24%, Paper 2 19-23%, Paper 3 31-35%.

Practical work

AQA A-level Biology has 12 required practicals. Questions in the written exams draw on them, and a separate teacher-assessed practical endorsement (Pass / Not Classified) is reported alongside your grade.

A-level Biology 7402 uses a DOUBLE mechanism for practical assessment; these two must not be conflated: (a) WRITTEN-EXAM ROUTE - "Overall, at least 15% of the marks for an A-level Biology qualification will require the assessment of practical skills." (spec section 8.3); these practical-skills marks count toward the A*-E grade and draw on the 12 required practical activities in section 8.2. (b) SEPARATE PRACTICAL ENDORSEMENT - "A-level grades will be based only on marks from written exams. A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A-level. This will be assessed by teachers and will be based on direct observation of students' competency in a range of skills that are not assessable in written exams." (spec section 8). The endorsement is teacher-assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC); "Students who demonstrate the required standard across all the requirements of the CPAC will receive a 'pass' grade." It "will appear on all students' certificates as a separately reported result, alongside the overall grade for the qualification" and does NOT contribute to the A*-E grade. Reported as Pass / Not Classified. Note: there is NO practical endorsement for the AS (7401). Separately, 10% of the overall assessment contains Level 2 (or above) mathematical skills.

What you study

The main topics in the 7402 specification:

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)
The control of gene expression (A-level only)

Your grades in Biology

See the real AQA Biology grade boundaries (2024 & 2025, with a "what grade is my mark" tool), and how A-level grades work.

Where this comes from

Frequently asked questions

See all AQA A-level subjects.