Biology GCE AS/A Level 3 Block B

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE NORTH SCHOOL FOR SEPTEMBER 2023 APPLICATIONS*

Applications Open: - 17th November 2022

Applications Close: - August 2023

Entry Requirements: - Grade 4 and above in 5 GCSEs Including English and Maths for Level 3 programmes, higher grades are required for some subjects

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Open Event: - We are delighted to be able to welcome you to our Open Evening again. Our Sixth Form Team and subject staff will be available between 4.30 pm and 7pm to answer any questions you may have regarding courses we offer and the application process. In the event you are unable to join us, we hope that you will take the time to have a look at our website, https://www.thenorthschool.org.uk/Sixth-Form-Prospectus/, where you can find our Welcome booklet and Level 2 and Level 3 Prospectus, which provide further information about The North School, our Sixth Form and the courses we run.

If you have any questions regarding the Sixth Form, our courses, facilities or our application process, please do contact us, either by telephone (01233 614613) or email (tns-sixthform@swale.at). We will be happy to arrange either a telephone call or meeting to answer these. We are happy to forward subject specific questions to subject leaders who may be better placed to answer your queries. We look forward to hearing from you and to meeting you.

Year 1 Biology

● Biological molecules

● Cells

● Organisms exchange substances with their environment

● Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

A Level Biology

● Energy transfers in and between organisms

● Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

● Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

● The control of gene expression

Year 1 – AQA Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology (7401)

2 papers sat at the end of the school year.

Assessments

Paper 1 & 2

What’s Assessed

• Any content from topics 1 – 4, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

• written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• 75 marks
• 50% of AS Assessed

Year 2 – AQA Advanced Level GCE in Biology (7402)

3 papers sat at the end of the school year.

Assessments

Paper 1

What’s Assessed

• Any content from topics 1 – 4, including relevant practical skills
  

Assessed

• written exam: 2 hours
  
• 91 marks
• 35% of A-Level

Questions

• 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
• 15 marks: extended response questions

Paper 2

What’s Assessed

• Any content from topics 5 – 8, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

• written exam: 2 hours
• 91 marks
• 35% of A-Level

Questions

• 76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
• 15 marks: extended response questions

Paper 3

What’s Assessed

• Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills

Assessed

• written exam: 2 hours
• 78 marks
• 30% of A-Level

Questions

• 38 marks: structured questions, including practical techniques
• 15 marks: critical analysis of given experiment data
• 25 marks: one essay from a choice of two titles

The course includes a lot of practical techniques you will learn to master and be examined for in the end of year examinations. You also need to complete twelve required practicals to ensure you have covered all these techniques.

Students will require a minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 or above and Science (combined or triple) at grade 67 (minimum).

Studying Biology could lead to such careers as Doctor, Veterinarian, Nurse, Dentist, Research Scientist, Environment and Ecology, Teaching