GCSE Biology

GCSE Biology Course Overview

Learn the role Humans play in shaping the environment and our relationship to plants and animals. Gain a better understanding of science through practical skills that you can carry out at home to explore topics further. 

Pre-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Qualification

GCSE in Biology

Specification

4411 - AQA GCSE Biology

Support and benefits

• Flexible terms times
• Stepped learning approach
• Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
• Access to the ICS online Student Community, allowing you to interact with other students and browse our resource library

GCSE Biology Course Code

G25

ICS Support Period

12 months

Technical Requirements

• You may need some household items for experiments
• Cannot be taken with GCSE Science

Key topics

• Cell Structure 
• Nerves & Hormones 
• Food Drugs & Disease 
• Living Things and their Environment 
• Reproduction & Evolution 
• Transport Across Boundaries & Plant Nutrition 
• Energy & Nutrient Transfer
• Enzymes & Homeostasis 
• Variation

Examination Fee and Registration

Students will have to pay an examination fee of £21.80. This is payable to the AQA Examination Board. For further information on examinations, please see the Assessment tab.

Please note students are responsible for making their own exam arrangements.

Students should contact AQA as soon as possible to find out the deadlines for applying to sit the examinations. At this time students should also request the Entry Form for Private Candidates and also a list of centres and details of Open Centres for Private Candidates.

Find out more information about arranging your AQA examination.

ICS Course Material

You will complete six test papers and three practical assignments during your GCSE Biology course.

These test papers and assignments are intended to help both you and your tutor measure your progress through the course, highlighting any areas where revision is necessary. The test papers do not count towards your final grade however the third  practical assignement is used to verify your Centre Assessed Unit.

Exam Format

The exam will consist of three papers as follows:

(Students have the option of sitting Biology 1 or Biology 1a and 1b)

Biology 1 - Written Paper (45 Minutes)

or

Biology 1a - Multiple Choice Questions (30 Minutes)

and

Biology 1b - Multiple Choice Questions (30 Minutes)

then

Biology 2 - Written Paper (45 Minutes)

and

Biology3 - Written Paper (45 Mintues)

Centre Assessed Unit

You are required to undertake a Centre Assesed Unit as part of the GCSE Biology. The unit will be assessed at an examination centre under exam conditions using the results you obtained in your third ICS practical assignment.

Availability of Units and Certification