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AQA · A Level

AQA A Level Biology

Biology for AQA A Level (syllabus 7402) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
7402
Board
AQA
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
AQA A Level Biology
Spec code
7402
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official AQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

AQA AS and A-level Biology (7401/7402)

AQA A-level Biology develops essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other, alongside practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills, providing a foundation for further study or employment. — AQA, official syllabus page

First teaching September 2015. Sections 3.1-3.4 form the AS content (also taught in year 1 of the A-level); sections 3.5-3.8 are A-level only.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for AQA Biology 7402
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
7402/1: Paper 1 2h 91 35% Written exam
7402/2: Paper 2 2h 91 35% Written exam
7402/3: Paper 3 2h 78 30% Written exam

Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page: linear, not tiered, three written papers. Paper 1 (any content from topics 1-4, incl. practical skills): 2h/91marks/35% of A-level -- 76 marks short/long answer, 15 marks extended response. Paper 2 (topics 5-8, incl. practical skills): 2h/91marks/35% -- 76 marks short/long answer, 15 marks comprehension. Paper 3 (any content from topics 1-8, incl. practical skills): 2h/78marks/30% -- 38 marks structured questions incl. practical techniques, 15 marks critical analysis of experimental data, 25 marks essay (choice of two titles). Total 260 marks. First teaching September 2015, first A-level assessment June 2017.

Assessment FAQs

How is AQA Biology (7402) assessed?

AQA Biology (7402) is assessed through: 7402/1 (Paper 1) — 2h, 91 marks, 35% of the qualification; 7402/2 (Paper 2) — 2h, 91 marks, 35% of the qualification; 7402/3 (Paper 3) — 2h, 78 marks, 30% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

Biology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Biology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 8 topics below are the official subject content of AQA AS and A-level Biology (7401/7402), for the For first teaching 2015 examination series, reproduced from the AQA syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 8 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Biological molecules

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Monomers and polymers · Carbohydrates · Lipids · Proteins · Nucleic acids · ATP · Water · Inorganic ions

  2. AS 2 Cells

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Structure of eukaryotic cells · Structure of prokaryotic cells and of viruses · Methods of studying cells

  3. AS 3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. AS 4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 5 Energy transfers in and between organisms

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  2. A 6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. A 7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. A 8 The control of gene expression

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: AQA -- official AS and A-level Biology (7401/7402) specification, live subject-content pages — For first teaching 2015 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Biology at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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