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Marlbridge

OCR · A Level

OCR A Level Biology

Biology for OCR A Level (syllabus H420) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
H420
Board
OCR
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
OCR A Level Biology
Spec code
H420
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?
2026-08-18, official OCR specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official OCR specification on 2026-08-18.

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

The qualification

OCR A Level Biology A (H420)

Our A Level in Biology A allows students to develop relevant practical skills alongside essential knowledge and understanding of a range of biological concepts and scientific methods. Biological mathematics and problem-solving skills can be fully integrated into teaching and learning. — OCR, official syllabus page

Qualification number 601/4260/1.

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

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for OCR Biology H420
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
H420/01: Paper 1: Biological processes 2h 15m 100 37% Written exam
H420/02: Paper 2: Biological diversity 2h 15m 100 37% Written exam
H420/03: Paper 3: Unified Biology 1h 30m 70 26% Written exam

Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against OCR's own official A Level Biology A (H420) "Assessment story: exploring our question papers" guide (2026-08-28). Three examined components: Paper 1 "Biological processes" and Paper 2 "Biological diversity" are each 100 marks/2h15/37%; Paper 3 "Unified Biology" (all modules, synoptic) is 70 marks/1h30/26%. Total 270 marks across the three papers determines the overall A*-E grade. A separate Practical Endorsement (non-exam assessment, minimum 12 practical activities, internally assessed) is reported separately as Pass/Not Classified and does not contribute marks to the 270-mark grade; recorded here as a 0-mark/0-weighting non-exam-assessment component to preserve that it exists without implying it adds to the 270-mark total.

Assessment FAQs

How is OCR Biology (H420) assessed?

OCR Biology (H420) is assessed through: H420/01 (Paper 1: Biological processes) — 2h 15m, 100 marks, 37% of the qualification; H420/02 (Paper 2: Biological diversity) — 2h 15m, 100 marks, 37% of the qualification; H420/03 (Paper 3: Unified Biology) — 1h 30m, 70 marks, 26% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

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

All Biology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 6 topics below are the official subject content of OCR A Level Biology A (H420), for the Version 3, for first teaching 2023 examination series, reproduced from the OCR 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 6 topics.

  1. 1 Development of practical skills in biology

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Practical skills assessed in a written examination · Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

  2. 2 Foundations in biology

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Cell structure · Biological molecules · Nucleotides and nucleic acids

  3. 3 Exchange and transport

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. 4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  5. 5 Communication, homeostasis and energy

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  6. 6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: OCR -- official A Level Biology A (H420) specification PDF, Version 3, August 2023 — Version 3, for first teaching 2023 series. Verified 2026-09-02. 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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