Current syllabus · first assessment 2028

A-Level Biology A2 Study Guide & Review

Prepare for Cambridge International A2 Biology 9700 by connecting advanced biological mechanisms to unfamiliar evidence, structured Paper 4 reasoning and complete Paper 5 planning, analysis, statistics and evaluation.

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  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

How to study Cambridge A2 Biology 9700

Cambridge A2 Biology rewards connected reasoning. For each pathway or regulatory system, retrieve its location, inputs, transfers, outputs and controls, then explain unfamiliar evidence. Use the A2 syllabus map to connect respiration, photosynthesis, homeostasis, coordination, inheritance, evolution, biodiversity and genetic technology. Bring in AS knowledge only when a Paper 4 mechanism requires it, rather than rebuilding the AS course here.

After learning a mechanism in Concept, retrieve it in Mastery and apply it through the Question Bank. Classify the first error as missing knowledge, broken causal link, command word, transformed data, calculation, statistical choice, unsupported conclusion or impractical improvement. Repair that exact failure, then answer a matched structured or planning-and-analysis task without notes.

Practise A2 Biology through mechanisms and investigation

Use connected pathways, regulatory systems, inheritance, population evidence, biotechnology and complete Paper 5 planning-and-analysis cycles across the exact A2 scope.

Energy transfer and regulation

Respiration, photosynthesis, limiting factors, homeostasis, nervous and hormonal coordination, and plant responses

Map location, input, carrier, transfer, output and control for each pathway. Explain graph gradients or plateaus causally, compare regulatory loops and design limiting-factor investigations with appropriate variables, ranges, controls, repeats and evidence-bounded conclusions.

Practise Topics 12–15

Inheritance and gene control

Genetic crosses, probability, phenotype, gene expression and environmental influence

Alternate crosses and ratios with molecular-to-phenotype explanations. State assumptions, show probability working, distinguish genotype from expression and environment, and use unfamiliar inheritance or gene-control evidence to justify rather than merely name the pattern.

Practise Topic 16

Evolution, biodiversity and conservation

Variation, selection, evolution, classification, sampling, diversity indices and conservation evidence

Connect variation and selection pressure to population change, then test ecological claims using sampling, indices, correlations and their limitations. Separate association from causation and evaluate conservation decisions only as far as the supplied biological evidence permits.

Practise Topics 17–18

Genetic technology

Principles, medicine, agricultural applications, controls, results, benefits, risks and evidence

Sequence each method, explain why every stage or control is needed and interpret its result. Distinguish biological mechanism from application judgment, compare benefits and limitations from the given evidence and avoid unsupported medical or ethical claims.

Practise Topic 19

Paper 5 planning, data and statistics

Hypotheses, variables, ranges, repeats, uncertainty, graphs, tests, conclusions, evaluation and improvements

Complete the whole investigation cycle: operationalise the hypothesis, control variables, choose measurements and repeats, process and display data, justify a suitable statistical test, limit conclusions to evidence, identify anomalies or weaknesses and propose feasible targeted improvements.

Practise Paper 5 skills

Where to start

Start from one known weak Topic or use mixed evidence to locate the earliest repeated mechanism, application, calculation, planning or evaluation failure.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact group and identify the mechanism, evidence, command word, calculation or investigation decision that is failing.

    Browse A2 Topics 12–19

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Use mixed A2 questions to identify the first repeated Paper 4 reasoning or Paper 5 investigation failure.

    Start a diagnostic

Choose the right A2 starting point

  1. Build the causal model

    Reconstruct locations, inputs, transfers, controls and outputs, then connect the mechanism to observable biological evidence.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve and transform

    Recall without notes, interpret unfamiliar diagrams or data and complete calculations with justified biological or statistical choices.

    Check Mastery

  3. Mark and repair

    Compare every claim with evidence, find the first failed step and rewrite a complete Paper 4 or Paper 5 response.

    Practise questions

Explore Cambridge A2 Biology Topics 12–19

Navigate 24 local Topics across the eight official A2 content groups plus dedicated Paper 5 practical and mathematical-statistical skill groups. The map follows syllabus Version 1 for exams in 2028, 2029 and 2030 without duplicating AS Topics 1–11.

10
syllabus groups
24
mapped topics

12. Energy and Respiration

Open unit questions
12.1 Energy12.2 Respiration

13. Photosynthesis

Open unit questions
13.1 Photosynthesis as Energy Transfer Process13.2 Investigation of Limiting Factors

14. Homeostasis

Open unit questions
14.1 Homeostasis in Mammals14.2 Homeostasis in Plants

15. Control and Coordination

Open unit questions
15.1 Control and Coordination in Mammals15.2 Control and Coordination in Plants

16. Inheritance

Open unit questions
16.1 Passage of Information from Parents to Offspring16.2 The Roles of Genes in Determining Phenotype16.3 Gene Control

17. Selection and Evolution

Open unit questions
17.1 Variation17.2 Natural and Artificial Selection17.3 Evolution

18. Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation

Open unit questions
18.1 Classification18.2 Biodiversity18.3 Conservation

19. Genetic Technology

Open unit questions
19.1 Principles of Genetic Technology19.2 Genetic Technology Applied to Medicine19.3 Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture

Practical assessment skills

Open unit questions
Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation

Mathematical and statistical skills

Open unit questions
AS and A Level mathematical requirementsA Level only mathematical and statistical requirementsA Level formula reference and statistics notes

Cambridge A2 Biology 9700 assessment

A2 study prepares candidates for Papers 4 and 5, which together contribute 50% of the full A Level. AS knowledge remains required, but there is no standalone A2 award or A2-only weighting.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Paper 4 A Level Structured QuestionsStructured questions on A Level content with AS knowledge required100 marksWritten structured questions divide demand equally between AO1 knowledge and AO2 handling, application and evaluation.How to prepare: Connect mechanisms across Topics, select relevant AS prerequisites, transform unfamiliar information, show calculations and write evidence-based causal explanations that satisfy each command word.2 hours38.5% of the full A Level
Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and EvaluationTwo or more written questions in familiar or unfamiliar practical contexts30 marksA written paper with no laboratory facilities assesses AO3 planning, analysis, conclusions and evaluation; planning and analysis-evaluation each receive approximately 14–16 marks.How to prepare: Practise complete investigations: hypotheses, variables, ranges, repeats, controls, tables, graphs, uncertainty, justified statistics, bounded conclusions, limitations, risk and feasible improvements.1 hour 15 minutes11.5% of the full A Level

SourceCambridge International · Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology 9700 syllabus9700 · Version 1 · exams 2028, 2029 and 2030

Cambridge A2 Biology 9700 questions

No. A2 describes the second-stage content and Papers 4–5 for the full Cambridge International A Level. In the staged route, eligible AS marks from Papers 1–3 are carried forward under Cambridge rules; in the linear route, candidates take Papers 1–5 together. Full A Level grades are A*–E.

Start with the question purpose and data type. Use chi-squared for observed against expected frequencies, a t-test for comparing two means, Pearson for linear correlation with suitable continuous data and Spearman for ranked association. State a null hypothesis, check the required conditions, calculate degrees of freedom where needed and interpret significance without claiming causation.

The syllabus says needed named population, diversity and statistical formulae and critical-value tables are supplied in examination material, but degrees-of-freedom formulae are not. A compliant scientific calculator is allowed; graphing, algebraic, stored-text and communication features are prohibited. Recheck the current paper front and Cambridge Handbook for your series.

Cambridge publishes a selection of past papers, examiner reports and specimen material, while registered schools receive more through the School Support Hub. Cambridge warns that older papers may not match the current syllabus, so align every question to a current Topic and skill before use. Do not assume a dedicated 2028 specimen set exists.