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Pearson Edexcel · A Level

Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology

Biology for Pearson Edexcel A Level (syllabus YBI11) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
YBI11
Board
Pearson Edexcel
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology
Spec code
YBI11
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 Pearson Edexcel specification

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

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

The qualification

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11)

The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level in Biology cover major topics including biological molecules, diet, transport, health, cells, development, biodiversity, conservation, energy, the environment, microbiology, immunity, respiration, the internal environment, coordination and gene technology. — Pearson Edexcel, official syllabus page

Issue 2 (February 2021), first teaching September 2018. Modular: IAS = Units 1-3 (Unit 3 is Practical Skills in Biology I); full IAL = Units 1-6 (Unit 6 is Practical Skills in Biology II). Units 4-5 are IA2-only content.

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

Assessment structure

Modular qualification

Assessment components for Pearson Edexcel Biology YBI11
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
WBI11/01: Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health 1h 30m 80 20% Unit
WBI12/01: Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation 1h 30m 80 20% Unit
WBI13/01: Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology I 1h 20m 50 10% Unit
WBI14/01: Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity 1h 45m 90 20% Unit
WBI15/01: Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology 1h 45m 90 20% Unit
WBI16/01: Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II 1h 20m 50 10% Unit

Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official PDF (Specification Issue 2, February 2021): the third of Pearson's three IAL sciences to share this exact modular skeleton -- three IAS units (1-3) plus three IA2 units (4-6), independently re-confirmed from Biology's own source PDF against sibling Physics YPH11 and Chemistry YCH11. Units 1, 2, 4 and 5 each 20% of the full IAL (1h30/80marks for 1-2, 1h45/90marks for 4-5); Units 3 and 6 (Practical Skills in Biology I and II, each 1h20/50marks) each 10%, written papers rather than a hands-on lab endorsement. Each paper includes a stated minimum of mathematics-targeted marks (e.g. Unit 1 at least 8 marks target Level 2 maths or above). First teaching September 2018, first examination January 2019.

Assessment FAQs

How is Pearson Edexcel Biology (YBI11) assessed?

Pearson Edexcel Biology (YBI11) is assessed through: WBI11/01 (Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health) — 1h 30m, 80 marks, 20% of the qualification; WBI12/01 (Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation) — 1h 30m, 80 marks, 20% of the qualification; WBI13/01 (Unit 3: Practical Skills in Biology I) — 1h 20m, 50 marks, 10% of the qualification; WBI14/01 (Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; WBI15/01 (Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology) — 1h 45m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; WBI16/01 (Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology II) — 1h 20m, 50 marks, 10% of the qualification. It is a modular qualification. Source: official Pearson Edexcel 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 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11), for the Issue 2 examination series, reproduced from the Pearson Edexcel 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.

  1. 1 Molecules, Transport and Health

    3 Marlbridge resources

  2. 2 Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression

    3 Marlbridge resources

  3. 3 Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. 4 Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  5. 5 Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  6. 6 Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  7. 7 Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  8. 8 Coordination, Response and Gene Technology

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Pearson Edexcel -- official International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11) specification PDF, Issue 2, February 2021 — Issue 2 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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