Are you a candidate for A Level biology or planning to apply? Look no further! This guide will help you understand all you need to know about A level biology practical.
For a science enthusiast trying to put together theory and practice, Cambridge International A level biology practical is an ideal chance to learn. All who want to study biology or a related subject at university also benefit from A level biology practical studies.
A and AS Level biology (9700) is an excellent opportunity for students to develop skills and attitudes central to scientific thinking. Cambridge International strongly emphasises practical in biology as a fundamental component of science education with formal assessments improving the classroom outcome.
A Level is the time when students are still figuring out their interests, what they are good at and which career they are likely to follow. So, the on-hands action you will get in a practical assessment encourages you to explore your natural inclination and interests. Let’s begin by taking a look at the syllabus for a practical in biology.
A Level Biology practical syllabus 2022-2024:
AS and A Level biology practical workbook and handbook contain the biology practical syllabus students will be tested on:
- 1 Cell structure
- 2 Biological molecules
- 3 Enzymes
- 4 Cell membranes and transport
- 5 The mitotic cell cycle
- 6 Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
- 7 Transport in plants
- 8 Transport in mammals
- 9 Gas exchange
- 10 Infectious diseases
- 11 Immunity
- 12 Energy and respiration
- 13 Photosynthesis
- 14 Homeostasis
- 15 Control and coordination
- 16 Inheritance
- 17 Selection and evolution
- 18 Classification, biodiversity and conservation
- 19 Genetic technology
Useful tips for A level biology practical experiments
Here are some useful tips on getting good marks in A level biology practical experiments:
- Spend sufficient time in the laboratory under teacher supervision. Your teachers at school will assist you in carrying out experiments in a safe and informed way.
- Cambridge International recommends that you should spend 20 percent of your time during the course of study doing practical work individually or in small groups.
- The preparation of biology practical papers is done throughout the course. You are also encouraged to do a continuous self evaluation during the course.
- Minimise distractions while performing practicals.
- Make sure that you have understood the concepts well for any extended questions. Paper 5 contains questions that are outside the syllabus content. Usually these questions are quite advanced but still not outside your ability to answer.
- Understand the requirements of each paper and weightage of each question.
- Be motivated throughout the course of study.
- Stay in touch with your teachers and peers to not lose focus.
- Subscribe to biology journals and stay in touch with extra material via emails.
- Visit libraries and bookstores to develop a wide understanding and liking of the subject.
- Keep a self evaluation journal to notice your learning gaps.
- Your practical handbook and workbook are also available to help you prepare for the practical papers. So make sure you keep a practical journal throughout the course.
What is the purpose of biology practical?
A Level biology practical practical assessment gives you the required skills for university studies and helps you decide a career pathway. Also, evidence based studies show that a good practical science contains all ingredients to a good learning of science in general.
Hands-on experiments add value to your attitude as a learner. Practicals aren’t just another way to learn, rather they give you the most essential skills to be a scientific thinker, suggests the study done across six countries that included expert teachers, professional scientists, and most importantly, students.
Biology practical will also reinforce your learning of the theoretical subject content of the syllabus that you have to learn for paper 1, 2, and 4. Practical assessment will develop a relationship between experimentation and theory in scientific method and also allow for social and emotional skills to develop while collaborating in small teams.
Why do universities look at your practical assessments of A Level?
“Universities want to see evidence that a student has undertaken practical work during their science studies at school”, says the practical science worksheet by Cambridge International. It is noteworthy that practical science is an excellent way to prepare yourself for university level study in sciences.
It is imperative that science is a practical subject. Since universities are essentially the places of scientific research, breakthroughs, and peer reviews, the undergraduate admission processes looks for a good demonstration of practical skills and analysis.
A Level biology practical assessment papers and weightage
You will take 5 papers in biology practical assessment. Paper 3 and 5 will test your experimental skills and investigations. Here is a break down of objectives of each assessment and weightage in components:
Assessment objectives | Weightage in components % | ||||
Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 | Paper 4 | Paper 5 | |
Knowledge and understanding | 50 | 50 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
Handling, applying and evaluating information | 50 | 50 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
Experimental skills and investigations | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 |
Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
A Level biology assessment overview:
Paper 3 | Paper 5 | |
Exam will test | Advanced practical skills | Planning analysis and evaluation |
Time allotted | 2 hours | 1 hour 15 minutes |
Total marks | 40 marks | 30 marks |
Number of questions | 2-3 | 2 or more |
Exam contains | Practical work and structured questions | Questions based on the experimental skills of planning, analysis and evaluation. |
Medium | Practical, written | Written |
Context of the questions | From syllabus but may contain some questions outside the syllabus content. | The context of the questions may be outside the syllabus content. |
How is the paper assessed? | Externally assessed | Externally assessed |
% of AS Level syllabus | 23 % | – |
% of A Level syllabus | 11.5 % | 11.5% |
What is your focus in Paper 3 advanced practical skills?
Paper 3 is a laboratory-based practical paper focusing on the experimental skills of:
- manipulation, measurement and observation
- presentation of data and observations
- analysis, conclusions and evaluation
It requires candidates to carry out an investigation or investigations. They may be asked to:
– make decisions on techniques
– collect quantitative or qualitative data
– present the data or observations as tables, charts, graphs and other appropriate means
– analyse the data appropriately, including calculations
– draw conclusions
– prepare slides using light microscope
– make observations of specimens and more
– show evidence of skills in the handling of familiar and unfamiliar biological material
What is the marks allocation for Paper 3?
Marks will be allocated for Paper 3 according to the table below:
Skills | Breakdown of skills | Marks |
Manipulation, measurement and observation | Decisions relating to measurements or observations | 15-17 |
Presentation of data and observations | Recording data and observations Display of calculation and reasoning
Data layout |
11-13 |
Analysis, conclusions and evaluation | Interpretation of data or observations Drawing conclusions
Identifying sources of error and suggesting improvements |
11-13 |
What is the focus in Paper 5 advanced practical skills?
Paper 5 is a written paper focusing on the higher-order experimental skills of:
- planning
- analysis
- drawing conclusions
- evaluation.
This exam will not require laboratory facilities.
Cambridge International emphasises that students “cannot be adequately prepared for this exam without extensive laboratory work of A Level standard during their course of study.”
Furthermore, the preparation for Paper 5 “requires many hours of laboratory-based work with careful supervision from teachers to ensure that experiments are planned and carried out safely.”
You may be required to design an experimental investigation of a given problem. Such questions may not be highly structured: you may be expected to answer using extended, structured writing illustrated with appropriate diagrams, flow charts, tables or equations.
You may be asked to express a prediction in the form of a written hypothesis linking independent and dependent variables, or in the form of a graph showing the expected outcome.
Other questions may require you to analyse, evaluate and draw conclusions from the given data.
Cambridge states that “Some questions may be set in areas of biology that are difficult to investigate experimentally in school laboratories, possibly for reasons of cost or safety.”
However, you will not be asked a question that will require knowledge of theory or equipment that is beyond that expected of A Level practical work in the syllabus.
What is the marks allocation for Paper 5?
Skills | Breakdown of skills | Marks |
Planning | Defining the problem
Methods |
14-16 |
Analysis, conclusion and evaluation | Dealing with data
Conclusion Evaluation |
14-16 |
Detailed guide to Cambridge International practical assessment :
Cambridge International provides a detailed guide to help you understand all the expectations from the assessment. You can use this to find out about:
- Measurements, units, and symbols
- How each component on the assessment has to be answered
- Use of statistics in biology
- Mathematical requirements
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If this guide has helped you understand the expectations of skills and knowledge in biology A Level practical assessment, you can explore similar articles.
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