AQA · Spec 8461
AQA GCSE Biology revision
AQA GCSE Biology is sat at either Foundation or Higher tier, and the tier your school enters you for sets which grades you can reach.
- 1
- course
- 6
- topics
AQA GCSE Biology is assessed by two written exam papers taken at the end of the course, with no coursework counting towards the final grade. Both papers mix multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions, and one draws on a set of required practicals you carry out during the course.
The tier is chosen by your school, not by you, based on the grades your teachers expect you to achieve. Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5 and Higher tier covers grades 4 to 9, so the decision fixes the range of grades available to you before you sit a single paper.
Changing tier is decided by the entry deadline, so the two tiers differ in the hardest questions asked rather than the topics covered. The subject content is the same across both tiers, but Higher papers include more demanding questions and a couple of grades that Foundation cannot reach.
Exam format
The qualification is assessed through two equally weighted written papers covering different topic areas.
Paper 1
50%- 100 marks
- 1h 45m
- Topics 1 to 4
Paper 2
50%- 100 marks
- 1h 45m
- Topics 5 to 7
Takes 10 minutes
Find your gaps first
The levelling check shows where you stand across the specification. See what to revise first before you open another page.
Common questions
- Can I choose which tier I sit?
- No, your school enters you for Foundation or Higher based on your expected grades. You can discuss it with your teachers but the final decision rests with the centre.
- What is the difference between Foundation and Higher?
- The content is the same, but Foundation covers grades 1 to 5 and Higher covers grades 4 to 9. Higher papers include harder questions aimed at the top grades.
- Can my tier be changed after entry?
- It can be changed up to the exam board's entry deadline, so speak to your teacher early if you think you are on the wrong tier. After the deadline it is usually fixed.
- What happens if I just miss the grade on Higher tier?
- AQA has a safety net so a Higher candidate who falls just below grade 4 can be awarded an allowed grade 3, but below that no grade is given.
- How do I know which tier I have been entered for?
- Your school holds this information, so ask your science teacher or exams officer if it has not been shared with you yet.