AQA A-Level Biology (7402)
AQA A-Level Biology (7402) is assessed by three 2-hour written papers, with Paper 3 including a 25-mark essay, and practical skills tested in the exams alongside a practical endorsement. Our AQA A-Level Biology course follows the 7402 specification: biological molecules, cells, exchange of substances, genetic information and variation, energy transfers, responding to change, genetics, populations and evolution, and control of gene expression. You prepare for all three 2-hour papers, the twelve required practicals and the 25-mark essay on Paper 3. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified subject tutor, who sets exam-style questions, marks them against the mark scheme and plans revision around your weakest topics. Suitable for Year 12 and Year 13 students, private candidates and resits.
Reviewed by N. Kanik, Master's in Biology / Life SciencesLast updated
$15 – $36
per hour
Free demo class · pay only if you continue
What you will learn
Learning outcomes
- Understand biological molecules
- Explain cell structure and function
- Understand cell membranes and transport
- Explain DNA RNA and protein synthesis
- Understand genetic information and inheritance
- Explain variation and evolution
- Understand energy transfers in organisms
- Explain photosynthesis and respiration
- Understand organism responses to stimuli
- Explain homeostasis and control systems
- Understand populations and ecosystems
- Understand gene expression and regulation
- Analyse biological data
- Interpret graphs and experimental results
- Apply mathematical skills in biology
- Understand experimental design
- Evaluate scientific evidence
- Develop practical laboratory skills
- Apply biological concepts to unfamiliar situations
- Answer AQA-style examination questions
- Improve scientific reasoning
- Develop exam technique and time management
Prerequisites
- GCSE Biology or Combined Science knowledge
- Basic chemistry knowledge
- Basic mathematics skills
- Understanding of cells and biological processes
- Basic scientific investigation skills
Tags
Course structure
Syllabus(8 modules)
- Biological Molecules: Key Terms
- Biological Molecules: Reactions
- Monosaccharides
- Glucose
- The Glycosidic Bond
- Chromatography: Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Starch & Glycogen
- Cellulose
- Biochemical Tests: Sugars & Starch
- Finding the Concentration of Glucose
- Lipids
- Phospholipids
- Biochemical Tests: Lipids
- Amino Acids & the Peptide Bond
- Chromatography: Amino Acids
- Protein Structure & Function
- Protein Interactions
- Biochemical Tests: Proteins Many Proteins are Enzymes
- Enzyme Specificity
- How Enzymes Work
- Required Practical: Measuring Enzyme Activity
- Drawing a Graph for Enzyme Rate Experiments
- Using a Tangent to Find Initial Rate of Reaction
- Limiting Factors Affecting Enzymes: Temperature
- Limiting Factors Affecting Enzymes: pH
- Limiting Factors Affecting Enzymes: Enzyme Concentration
- Limiting Factors Affecting Enzymes: Substrate Concentration
- Limiting Factors Affecting
- Enzymes: Inhibitors
- Control of Variables & Uncertainty
- Nucleotide
- Structure & the Phosphodiester Bond
- DNA: Structure & Function
- RNA: Structure & Function
- Ribosomes
- The Origins of Research on the Genetic Code
- The Process of Semi-Conservative Replication
- Calculating the Frequency of Nucleotide Bases
- The Watson Crick Model
- The Structure of ATP
- Hydrolysis & Synthesis of ATP
- The Properties of Water
- Inorganic Ions
What is AQA A-Level Biology (7402)?
In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring for AQA A-level Biology (7402). A verified biology tutor teaches all eight topics, the required practicals, data analysis and the 25-mark essay, using AQA past papers and mark schemes.
AQA A-Level Biology (7402) is a linear A-Level from AQA, the UK's largest exam board, taken over two years in Year 12 and Year 13. It is assessed by three 2-hour written exams at the end of the course, graded A* to E, with a separately reported practical endorsement.
This course covers all eight topics one to one with a verified biology tutor.
Official specification: AQA A-level Biology 7402.
Going on to a health or life sciences degree? See our Human Physiology I course and Bioinformatics course.
What are the AQA A-Level Biology papers?
AQA A-level Biology is assessed by three written papers, each lasting 2 hours. Papers 1 and 2 are worth 91 marks and 35% each; Paper 3 is worth 78 marks and 30%, and includes the essay.
| Paper | Content | Marks | Weighting | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Topics 1–4, with practical skills | 91 | 35% | 76 marks short and long answer; 15 marks extended response |
| Paper 2 | Topics 5–8, with practical skills | 91 | 35% | 76 marks short and long answer; 15-mark comprehension question |
| Paper 3 | Topics 1–8, with practical skills | 78 | 30% | 38 marks structured questions; 15 marks critical analysis of data; 25-mark essay from a choice of two titles |
What are the assessment objectives for AQA A-level Biology?
Across the three papers, AQA weights the assessment objectives at about 30–35% knowledge and understanding (AO1), 40–45% applying it (AO2) and 25–30% analysing, interpreting and evaluating information and evidence (AO3). At least 15% of the assessment relates to practical work, and about 10% assesses maths skills at Level 2 or above.
| Objective | What it tests | Overall weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes and techniques | 30–35% |
| AO2 | Applying knowledge and understanding | 40–45% |
| AO3 | Analysing, interpreting and evaluating information, ideas and evidence | 25–30% |
Which topics does 7402 cover?
| Topic | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Biological molecules |
| 2 | Cells |
| 3 | Organisms exchange substances with their environment |
| 4 | Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms |
| 5 | Energy transfers in and between organisms |
| 6 | Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments |
| 7 | Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems |
| 8 | The control of gene expression |
How do you write the 25-mark Paper 3 essay?
The essay asks you to write about a broad theme, such as the importance of a molecule or process, drawing on content from across the specification. Top marks need several relevant topics, accurate A-Level detail and clear links back to the title.
- Plan four or five distinct topics from different parts of the course.
- Write a paragraph on each with precise A-Level detail.
- Link each paragraph explicitly to the theme.
- Avoid irrelevant or GCSE-level material.
- Use correct scientific terminology throughout.
Required practicals and data analysis
There are 12 required practicals, and practical skills are tested on every paper. Tutors go through each practical's method, risks, variables and analysis, and practise statistical tests, graphs and evaluating data.
What does a worked A-level biology calculation look like?
Here is a typical Hardy–Weinberg question: in a population, 16% of individuals show a recessive phenotype. Estimate the proportion of carriers (heterozygotes).
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Recessive phenotype | q² = 0.16 |
| Recessive allele frequency | q = √0.16 = 0.4 |
| Dominant allele frequency | p = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6 |
| Heterozygote frequency | 2pq = 2 × 0.6 × 0.4 = 0.48 |
| Answer | About 48% of the population are carriers |
Where do students lose marks in AQA A-level Biology?
A-level biology students most often lose marks with imprecise terminology, describing data without analysis, weak essay structure, statistical tests chosen or interpreted wrongly, and mixing up similar processes.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Imprecise terminology | Use specification terms exactly |
| Data described, not analysed | Quote values and explain the trend |
| Weak 25-mark essay | Link several topics with detailed, relevant biology |
| Statistical tests misused | Match the test to the data and interpret the p-value |
| Similar processes confused | Compare them side by side |
How the lessons work
Lessons are live and one to one on video with a shared whiteboard. Your tutor uses AQA past papers and mark schemes and marks your extended answers and essays. See also AQA A-Level Chemistry, OCR A Level Biology and our Biology subject page.
A level biology tutor online: who this AQA course is for, prerequisites and study plan
An A level biology tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on the AQA 7402 topics, with practice on required practicals, the 25-mark essay and data analysis.
This course suits Year 12 and Year 13 students taking AQA A-Level Biology, and resit students.
Prerequisites: GCSE Biology or Combined Science, basic chemistry and maths.
Course length: 50 one-hour lessons across 8 topics.
| Stage | Topics | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological molecules; cells | Explain molecules, cell structure and the immune response |
| 2 | Exchange and transport; genetics, variation and interdependence | Explain exchange, DNA and classification |
| 3 | Energy transfers; responding to change | Explain photosynthesis, respiration and homeostasis |
| 4 | Populations, evolution and ecosystems; gene expression | Solve population genetics and explain gene control |
Where it leads: see the SNAB Biology course or OCR A Level Biology if your school follows another board.
AQA A-Level Biology (7402): frequently asked questions
What is the AQA A-Level Biology specification code?
The code is 7402 (7401 for AS).
How many papers are in AQA A-Level Biology?
Three 2-hour papers: Paper 1 (35%), Paper 2 (35%) and Paper 3 (30%).
How many marks is the A-Level Biology essay?
25 marks, on Paper 3.
How many required practicals are there?
Twelve required practicals for the A-Level.
What is the practical endorsement?
A teacher-assessed endorsement reported separately as Pass or Not classified.
What is on Paper 2?
Topics 5 to 8, plus a 15-mark comprehension question.
How do I get an A* in AQA Biology?
Use precise terminology, practise extended answers and essays, and master the required practicals and data analysis.
Do you use AQA past papers?
Yes. Tutors use AQA past papers and mark schemes.
How much does an A-Level Biology tutor cost?
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Do you help resit students?
Yes. Tutors target the topics and question types that will lift your grade most.
How long are AQA A-level Biology papers?
Each of the three papers is 2 hours.
How should I revise for AQA A-Level Biology?
Combine content review with exam technique: learn each topic's key terms, then practise past-paper questions and mark them with AQA mark schemes. Give extra time to the required practicals, data analysis and the Paper 3 essay, which rewards linking ideas across topics. Your tutor builds a weekly plan around your weakest areas and exam dates.
Is AQA A-Level Biology hard?
AQA A-Level Biology carries a large amount of content and detailed terminology, and Paper 3 tests data analysis and a 25-mark synoptic essay. It is very manageable with steady revision through both years. Students who practise application questions rather than just memorising notes, and who plan essays carefully, usually achieve the top grades.
Can I book lessons in my time zone?
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone and school week.
What is on AQA A-level Biology Paper 3?
Any content from topics 1–8: 38 marks of structured questions, 15 marks of critical analysis of data and a 25-mark essay from a choice of two titles.
How do I use the Hardy–Weinberg equation?
Use q² for the recessive phenotype frequency, find q and p = 1 − q, then calculate 2pq for carriers.
What are the AQA A-Level Biology grade boundaries?
AQA publishes grade boundaries for AQA A-Level Biology after each exam series, and they change from year to year with paper difficulty. They show the raw marks needed for each grade. Your tutor marks full past papers and compares your scores with recent boundaries to estimate your grade and target the topics that matter most.
How many marks are Papers 1 and 2?
91 marks each, worth 35% each; Paper 3 is 78 marks and 30%.
How do I plan the 25-mark essay?
Choose four or five topics from across the specification that link to the title, and develop each with detailed, accurate biology.
Where can I find the AQA A-Level Biology specification?
AQA publishes the AQA A-Level Biology specification on its website. It lists the topics, the skills you are assessed on and the structure of each paper, so use the current version for your exam year. Your tutor uses it to check that your revision covers exactly what you can be asked.
Can I get an A level biology tutor online?
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 A level biology tutor online through live video lessons. Your tutor explains each topic, works through the required practicals, marks your practice 25-mark essays and uses past papers to build your exam technique.
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