GCSE Biology (8461)
Specification code: 8461
QAN code: 601/8752/9
Specification at a glance
Subject content
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
8. Key ideas
Assessments
Paper 1
What’s assessed
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
How it’s assessed
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Paper 2
What’s assessed
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
How it’s assessed
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
References:
https://www.aqa.org.uk
