Pearson Edexcel · A Level
Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11). What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official specification, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.
- Syllabus
- YBI11
- Board
- Pearson Edexcel
- Qualification
- A Level
- Not your course?
- Change course
Topics and resources
Each topic below is from the official Pearson Edexcel document for Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology (YBI11) only.
- Learn with study guides
- Revise with revision notes
- Practise with practice questions
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- Some topics have no Marlbridge resource yet; they are still listed.
- Topic 1
Molecules, Transport and Health
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 2
Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 3
Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 4
Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 5
Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 6
Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 7
Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment
Study guides
Revision notes
- Topic 8
Coordination, Response and Gene Technology
Study guides
Revision notes
Covering more than one topic
Course guides, exam preparation and pages that span several topics.
Study guides
No study guide for this course yet.
Revision notes
No revision notes for this course yet.
Practice questions
Source: Pearson Edexcel – official International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level Biology (XBI11/YBI11) specification PDF, Issue 2, February 2021 — Issue 2. Verified 2026-08-19. Subtopics are shown where Marlbridge has entered them; a topic may have more in the official document. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
About this course
- Qualification
- Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology
- Spec code
- YBI11
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes — request a free trial class
- Who teaches it?
- Harris Zaman · Hina Mogul · Ameer Hamza
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 64 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Official specification
- Pearson Edexcel specification
- Topic checklist
- Printable YBI11 checklist
- 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)
Marlbridge's summary of the course
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.
The board's own description is on the official Pearson Edexcel 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
| 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.
Questions about this course
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.
What topics does Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology (YBI11) cover?
8 topics in the current syllabus: Molecules, Transport and Health; Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression; Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development; Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation; Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment; Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics; Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment; Coordination, Response and Gene Technology. The printable topic checklist lists every topic on one page.
Can I get a tutor for Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology (YBI11)?
Yes. Marlbridge teaches Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology (YBI11) live online, one-to-one or in small groups, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.
Are there free Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology (YBI11) revision notes and practice questions?
Yes. Marlbridge has published 64 free resources for this course (study guides, practice questions, revision notes, exam preparation guides), free to read with no sign-up.
The subject
Biology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.
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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