Biology (9700) Past Papers & Revision Resources
Free Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds from 2020-2025, plus 435 flashcards across 43 topic decks.
Start studying A-Level Biology
Pick the resource that matches where you are in your revision cycle. All resources are free and require no signup.
9700 Paper Components
Cambridge A-Level Biology consists of 5 paper components. AS-Level candidates sit Papers 1-2. Full A-Level candidates sit all 5 papers, including the Paper 3 practical exam (with Confidential Instructions for the supervising teacher) and the Paper 5 planning, analysis & evaluation paper.
About Cambridge A-Level Biology
Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) gives candidates the conceptual range and laboratory skills expected for a biology, biomedical-science, medicine, or veterinary degree. The syllabus moves from biological molecules and cell structure all the way through to ecology, evolution, biotechnology, and the molecular basis of inheritance — anchored throughout in practical work that culminates in a separate practical paper.
AS-Level (Papers 1-2)
AS-Level (Papers 1 and 2) covers cell structure and ultrastructure, biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), enzymes and enzyme kinetics, cell membranes and transport, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), the heart and circulation, gas exchange in mammals and plants, infectious disease, and immunity. Paper 1 is 40-mark multiple choice; Paper 2 is structured questions worth 60 marks.
Full A-Level (Papers 3-5)
A2 (Papers 3, 4, 5) covers respiration, photosynthesis, gene expression and protein synthesis, biotechnology and genetic engineering, classical genetics and inheritance patterns, selection and speciation, biodiversity, ecosystems, climate change, and the homeostatic and nervous control of the human body. Paper 3 is the practical exam; Paper 4 is the main theory paper (100 marks); Paper 5 covers planning, analysis & evaluation (30 marks).
Key topics in A-Level Biology
These are the major topic areas examined across the 9700 syllabus. Refer to the official Cambridge syllabus PDF for the complete topic list with learning outcomes.
- Cell structure: prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and ultrastructure
- Biological molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
- Enzymes, enzyme kinetics, and inhibition
- Cell membranes and transport mechanisms
- Mitosis, meiosis, and cell-cycle control
- Gas exchange in mammals and plants
- Transport in mammals and plants
- Infectious disease and the human immune system
- Respiration, glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation
- Photosynthesis: light-dependent and light-independent stages
- Genetics, inheritance, and gene control
- Biotechnology, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and genetic engineering
Past Papers by Year
Download 9700 past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds for any year from 2020 to 2025. Each year covers up to three sessions: February-March (limited centres), May-June (main series), and October-November.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
How A-Level Biology is graded
Cambridge A-Level Biology is graded A* to E for the full A-Level, and a to e (lowercase) for stand-alone AS-Level. There is a U (ungraded) below E. The conversion from raw marks to grades uses session-specific grade thresholds that Cambridge publishes after each exam series — harder papers have lower thresholds.
As a rough guide for 9700: an A* typically requires around 85-90% across the relevant papers; an A around 75-80%; a B around 65-70%; a C around 55-60%. The exact threshold is set against a curve to keep grade boundaries fair across sessions. Look at the GT document for any session above to see the actual cut-offs for that session.
Official syllabus and external references
These are the authoritative sources for A-Level Biology content. Use the Cambridge syllabus PDF as the definitive list of what's examinable; the others are reputable third-party resources that complement what's on this site.
- Cambridge International — 9700 Biology syllabus
Official syllabus PDF, specimen papers, and practical guidance.
- Royal Society of Biology — Resources
Career paths in biological sciences, plus university transition resources.
- Khan Academy — AP Biology
Free video resources covering most of the 9700 A-Level syllabus content.
Studying A-Level Biology? Brush up on IGCSE foundations first
A-Level Biology (9700) builds directly on IGCSE Biology (0610). If you're transitioning from IGCSE or coming to A-Level from a different IGCSE specification, the 0610 resources are the most efficient way to fill any foundation gaps before tackling the AS material.
A-Level 9700 — Frequently asked questions
When are the A-Level Biology exams in 2026?
Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) exams in 2026 are held during these sessions:
- February-March 2026: limited centres, mainly in India
- May/June 2026: 23 April – 9 June 2026 (main global session)
- October/November 2026: late September – mid November 2026
AS-Level papers and A2 papers are scheduled on different dates within each session. View the full June 2026 timetable →
What's the difference between AS-Level and full A-Level?
AS-Level is Papers 1-2, taken at the end of year 1 of a two-year course or as a stand-alone qualification. It's worth half the UCAS points of full A-Level. Full A-Level adds Papers 3, 4, and 5 (year 2), and is the qualification most universities require for entry to biology, biomedical, or medical degrees.
What paper components are in A-Level Biology?
Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) has 5 paper components:
- Paper 1: Multiple Choice (AS) — 1h 15min, 40 marks (AS-Level)
- Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions — 1h 15min, 60 marks (AS-Level)
- Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills — 2h, 40 marks (A2)
- Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions — 2h, 100 marks (A2)
- Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation — 1h 30min, 30 marks (A2)
What are paper variants (e.g. 11, 12, 13) and which one should I practise?
Cambridge issues different variants of each paper so the exam can be sat across global time zones without leaks. Variant 1 (e.g. Paper 11, 21) typically goes to Zone 1 (Americas); Variant 2 (12, 22) to Zone 2 (Europe, Africa, Middle East); Variant 3 (13, 23) to Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania). All variants test the same syllabus content at equivalent difficulty, with grade thresholds calibrated session-by-session to even out small variation. Any variant is equally valuable for revision.
How many UCAS points is A-Level Biology worth?
Cambridge A-Levels carry the same UCAS tariff as UK GCE A-Levels (subject to per-university confirmation). A* = 56 points, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16. AS-Level is worth roughly 40% of the full A-Level points (a = 20, b = 16, c = 12, d = 10, e = 6). Most UK universities accept Cambridge A-Levels directly; some prefer the predicted-grade route. Always check the specific UCAS course page for your target university.
What is Paper 3 and the Confidential Instructions (CI) document?
Paper 3 is the Biology advanced practical-skills exam. It is sat under supervised lab conditions and tests skills like manipulation of apparatus, data presentation, and analysis. The accompanying Confidential Instructions document is given to the supervising teacher before the exam — it lists the apparatus, specimens and prepared materials required, plus any preparatory work the centre must do. Students don't see the CI, but reading past CIs is a useful way to anticipate what kind of experimental setups Paper 3 favours.
How should I structure my A-Level Biology revision?
A solid approach: (1) finish notes for every topic at least 6 weeks before the exam, (2) work through 4-6 past papers under timed conditions, (3) self-mark each one with the mark scheme and log your error patterns, (4) read the examiner report for at least 2-3 of those sessions — it tells you exactly which questions tripped most candidates and what examiners wanted, (5) use flashcards for active recall on factual content and timed practice on calculation-heavy questions. On this site: 435+ Biology flashcards are free with no signup.