GCE A Level in Biology
at Trinity School, Newbury · school or sixth form
What the college says
COURSE CONTENT In the first year of the course you will study units 1–4 (Biological Molecules; Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things; Classification and Biodiversity; Exchange and Transport). Then at the end of the year you will sit two exams where you will be tested on these topics. In year two of the course you will study units 5-10 in more detail and sit three exams at the end of the year. Topics 5-10 include: Energy for Biological Processes; Microbiology and Pathogens; Modern Genetics; Origins of Genetic Variation; Control Systems; Ecosystems. The exam papers include multiple-choice, short open-response, calculations, extended writing and mathematical questions. Each paper will also include questions that target understanding of experimental methods. ASSESSMENT DETAILS As mentioned in the Course Content section, you will sit two exams in the first year. These are both internally assessed. In the second year, you will sit three exams. Two of which are 1 hr 45 minutes and are each worth 30% of the total qualification. The third exam is 40 % of the total qualification and is 2 hours and 30 minutes. In addition to your exams you will carry out and write up a series of required core practicals over the two year course. These will aid you in learning new practical skills, honing your scientific thinking, as well as improving your report writing. The practicals are varied and range from studying the local flora with quadrats to calculating rate of reaction using color
What you need to get on
Five grade 5s at GCSE as well as a 6 in a GCSE Science subject
How you are assessed
Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.
What this level means
The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.
Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?
Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.
Where it runs
Trinity School.
Love Lane Shaw, Newbury, RG14 2DU
DaytimeClassroom basedCheck the journey
Start dates
- 2 September 2026 · Newbury
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