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Cambridge A Level Biology

Biology for Cambridge A Level (syllabus 9700) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9700
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge A Level Biology
Spec code
9700
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official Cambridge specification

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

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

The qualification

Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700)

Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology develops a set of transferable skills including handling data, practical problem-solving and applying the scientific method, giving learners a strong foundation for progression to higher education in biology or related courses. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

Syllabus for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 (Version 1). AS Level covers Topics 1-11; A Level covers all 19 topics. Three routes: AS only, A Level staged over two years, or A Level in one series. Five papers: Paper 1 Multiple Choice, Paper 2 AS Structured Questions, Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills, Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions, Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation.

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

Assessment structure

Component-based qualification

Assessment components for Cambridge Biology 9700
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Multiple Choice 1h 15m 40 15.5% Written exam
Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions 1h 15m 60 23% Written exam
Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills 2h 40 11.5% Practical
Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions 2h 100 38.5% Written exam
Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation 1h 15m 30 11.5% Written exam

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Structurally identical scheme to Cambridge 9701 Chemistry and 9702 Physics already in this file -- independently re-confirmed from Biology's own source PDF (Assessment overview, p.10): same five-paper structure, durations, marks and weighting (15.5%/23%/11.5%/38.5%/11.5% of the full A Level, summing to 100%). Papers 1-3 alone can instead be certificated as a standalone AS Level (weighted 31%/46%/23% of the AS Level in that route, not modeled as a separate record here). All five papers externally assessed.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Biology (9700) assessed?

Cambridge Biology (9700) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) — 1h 15m, 40 marks, 15.5% of the qualification; Paper 2 (AS Level Structured Questions) — 1h 15m, 60 marks, 23% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills) — 2h, 40 marks, 11.5% of the qualification; Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions) — 2h, 100 marks, 38.5% of the qualification; Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation) — 1h 15m, 30 marks, 11.5% of the qualification. It is a component based qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.

The subject

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

All Biology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 19 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700), for the For examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge 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 3 of 19 topics.

AS Level

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

  1. AS 1 Cell structure

    3 Marlbridge resources

    The microscope in cell studies · Cells as the basic units of living organisms

  2. AS 2 Biological molecules

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Testing for biological molecules · Carbohydrates and lipids · Proteins · Water

  3. AS 3 Enzymes

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Mode of action of enzymes · Factors that affect enzyme action

  4. AS 4 Cell membranes and transport

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Fluid mosaic membranes · Movement into and out of cells

  5. AS 5 The mitotic cell cycle

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Replication and division of nuclei and cells · Chromosome behaviour in mitosis

  6. AS 6 Nucleic acids and protein synthesis

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Structure of nucleic acids and replication of DNA · Protein synthesis

  7. AS 7 Transport in plants

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Structure of transport tissues · Transport mechanisms

  8. AS 8 Transport in mammals

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    The circulatory system · Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide · The heart

  9. AS 9 Gas exchange

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    The gas exchange system

  10. AS 10 Infectious diseases

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Infectious diseases · Antibiotics

  11. AS 11 Immunity

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    The immune system · Antibodies and vaccination

A Level

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

  1. A 12 Energy and respiration

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Energy · Respiration

  2. A 13 Photosynthesis

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Photosynthesis as an energy transfer process · Investigation of limiting factors

  3. A 14 Homeostasis

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Homeostasis in mammals · Homeostasis in plants

  4. A 15 Control and coordination

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Control and coordination in mammals · Control and coordination in plants

  5. A 16 Inheritance

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Passage of information from parents to offspring · The roles of genes in determining the phenotype · Gene control

  6. A 17 Selection and evolution

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Variation · Natural and artificial selection · Evolution

  7. A 18 Classification, biodiversity and conservation

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Classification · Biodiversity · Conservation

  8. A 19 Genetic technology

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Principles of genetic technology · Genetic technology applied to medicine · Genetically modified organisms in agriculture

Source: Cambridge International -- official AS & A Level Biology (9700) syllabus PDF, Version 1, published September 2022 — For examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 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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