How to Revise for A Level Biology

Revising for A Level biology can feel overwhelming—there’s a lot of content to cover, from key concepts to complex processes. If you’re wondering how to revise for biology, you’re not alone. Many students struggle to find the best approach when they are preparing for A-Level exams.

This guide will help you maximise your revision by using effective revision techniques, ensuring you focus on the right topics and develop the skills examiners expect. If you’re aiming for a top grade, it’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you use it in the exam.

1. Use the A-Level Biology Exam Board Specification 

The specification outlines everything you need to know to be well prepared for your exam. To be prepared well enough, it takes more than just knowing the content—it’s about deeply understanding how to study them in a way that sticks.

For example, let’s take the AQA A-Level Biology section on lipids (3.1.3):

Credits: AQA

What you need to know:

• The structure and properties of triglycerides and phospholipids.

• How these properties relate to their biological functions.

• The emulsion test for lipids and how to interpret results.

How to study this effectively:

• Break down key concepts – Instead of just memorising definitions, focus on why these molecules behave the way they do.

• Look at past exam questions – Many questions don’t just ask you to recall facts; they require explanations based on scientific principles.

• Apply knowledge to practicals – The specification mentions the emulsion test for lipids. Understanding how this test works and how to interpret results can help with both practical questions and data analysis tasks in exams.

Practical & Mathematical skills matter

At A-Level, practical and mathematical skills are assessed more heavily than at GCSE. Many students lose marks in these areas because they don’t practice interpreting data or performing key calculations.

Some essential skills include:

• Using qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules (e.g., the emulsion test for lipids).

• Understanding and analysing graphs in experimental data.

• Performing calculations, including standard deviation, percentage change, and rate calculations. 

Exam Tip: Many students lose marks by not rounding answers correctly or forgetting to include units. Make sure you review the required maths skills and practical techniques, as these are frequently tested.

2. Break Down the Mark Scheme

A-level biology exams demand precision, and understanding the mark scheme is key to getting the best possible grade. Many students write good answers but still lose marks because they miss key details or fail to structure responses correctly.

This section will help you use the mark scheme effectively so that you answer questions in a way that examiners reward.

Why the mark scheme matters

Unlike GCSE, where answers are often more straightforward, A-level biology mark schemes are more detailed and require specific terminology. Here’s why:

• They show you what examiners expect – Answers must use precise scientific language (e.g., "facilitated diffusion uses carrier proteins" instead of just "molecules move across the membrane").

• They highlight common student mistakes – Looking at where students typically lose marks helps you avoid these errors in your own answers.

• They reveal how marks are awarded – Sometimes, a two-mark question requires two linked points, not just a single fact.

How to use the mark scheme effectively

1. Mark your own answers using past papers:

• Attempt a past-paper question without looking at the mark scheme first.

• Compare your answer line by line with the mark scheme.

• Identify missing points – Did you leave out key terminology or a required explanation?

2. Learn key scientific terms

Examiners expect precise scientific vocabulary. Vague answers lose marks!

Example:

❌ Poor answer: Osmosis happens in cells to balance water levels.

✅ Full-mark answer: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential through a selectively permeable membrane.

3. Pay attention to command words

A-Level exams use specific command words, and each requires a different response:

Describe = Say what happens (e.g., Describe how enzymes work).

Explain = Say why it happens (e.g., Explain how enzyme structure determines specificity).

Evaluate = Give pros and cons based on data.

Learn from past student answers

One of the best ways to improve is by reading high-scoring answers and comparing them to lower-scoring ones. This helps you:

• See how top students structure their responses.

• Understand what earns marks and what doesn’t.

• Avoid common mistakes that cost marks.

Next, let’s look at what we can learn from the Examiners’ Report.

3. Key Insights from the Examiners’ Report

Examiners' reports are one of the most underused revision resources, yet they provide some of the best insights into what separates top-scoring students from those who struggle. They reveal exactly what students get wrong and why. Using these insights will help you fine-tune your revision and avoid dropping marks on easy-to-fix errors.

What do students struggle with?

Many students know the facts but struggle to apply them correctly in exam answers. Here’s what examiners repeatedly point out as key weaknesses:

• Giving GCSE-level answers instead of A-Level explanations.

• Misunderstanding practical techniques.

• Failing to link answers to biological processes.

Real comments from the AQA A-Level Biology examiner’s report

Credits: AQA

1. On Describing Cell Structure (Question 01.1)

"The function of the nucleus was less well understood. Very few referred to genetic information coding for polypeptides/proteins, with expressions such as ‘holding genetic material to control cell activities’ often seen; this is low-level GCSE standard and achieved no mark."

How to improve: Avoid vague explanations. Instead of saying “the nucleus controls the cell”, say:
"The nucleus contains DNA, which codes for polypeptides during protein synthesis, regulating cell function."

2. On Misunderstanding Practical Techniques 

"Relatively few students appreciated that the question was testing their understanding of using a practical technique to measure the abundance of a single species."

How to improve: When a question involves data collection or measurement, think about scientific techniques—not just definitions. For example, dry mass is used to measure biomass because water content varies.

3. On Common Misconceptions

"A common misconception has murein or peptidoglycan as a component of fungal cell walls."

How to improve: Don’t just memorise facts—understand them. Fungal cell walls contain chitin, not murein (which is found in bacteria).

How to use examiners’ reports to improve your answers

• Look for common errors – If a mistake appears year after year, avoid making it yourself.

• Compare answers from top-scoring students – Many reports include real student responses with examiner feedback.

• Be specific and precise – If a GCSE-level answer wouldn’t score at A-Level, reword it with key biological terms.

4. Watching Explainer Videos 

Watching high-quality explainer videos can help you understand complex topics visually and step by step, making revision more effective. Explainer videos:

• break down difficult concepts – Some topics, like enzyme kinetics or the lac operon, are harder to grasp from textbooks alone.

• improve exam technique – Watching past-paper walkthroughs shows how to structure answers for full marks.

• demonstrate key experiments – Videos help you understand practical techniques, which are essential for required practicals and data analysis questions.

Watch Laura Armstrong’s expert videos for clear explanations of tricky A-Level Biology concepts and step-by-step past-paper walkthroughs to improve exam technique.