The A-Level Biology Blog
Expert advice on revision strategies, exam technique, and achieving top grades in A-Level Biology — written by Tyrone John, a Chartered Biologist and former WJEC/Eduqas & Edexcel examiner with over 25 years of teaching experience. Every article draws on real classroom and examining insight.
New articles published regularly · All UK & international exam boards
How to Get an A* in A-Level Biology: An Examiner’s Perspective
After 25 years of teaching and examining A-Level Biology, I have watched hundreds of students achieve A* grades. Here is what actually separates them from everyone else — and it is not what most people think. Six proven strategies covering exam technique, revision methods, and how to think like an examiner.
Read Article →Is A-Level Biology Hard? What 25 Years of Teaching Has Shown Me
An honest assessment for students and parents. Which topics are hardest, how Biology compares to other A-Levels, and what makes the difference between struggling and succeeding.
Read article →How Much Does an A-Level Biology Tutor Cost? (2026 UK Guide)
A transparent look at UK tutoring rates for A-Level Biology. What affects the cost, the difference between student tutors and qualified specialists, and what to look for.
Read article →How to Answer 6-Mark Questions in A-Level Biology (All Boards)
An examiner’s guide to structuring extended response questions. Board-specific differences, common mistakes from marking thousands of papers, and worked examples.
Read article →The AQA 25-Mark Biology Essay: An Examiner’s Guide to Full Marks
The single most feared question on the AQA paper. How marks are allocated, how to plan under pressure, the breadth-over-depth approach, and example essay structures.
Read article →A-Level Biology vs GCSE: The Step Up Explained
What changes between GCSE and A-Level Biology, why many students struggle in the first term, and practical strategies for handling the transition successfully.
Read article →Best Revision Techniques for A-Level Biology (Evidence-Based)
Active recall, spaced repetition, past paper strategy, and the revision methods that actually produce marks — not just knowledge. From the examiner’s perspective.
Read article →How to Use Past Papers Effectively for A-Level Biology
Everyone knows they should do past papers. Very few students use them effectively. How to read a mark scheme, analyse your mistakes, and learn from every paper you attempt.
Read article →Common A-Level Biology Mistakes That Cost Students Marks
The recurring errors I see after marking thousands of exam scripts. Imprecise terminology, confusing similar terms, neglecting data, and the mistakes that cost entire grades.
Read article →Understanding Command Words in A-Level Biology Exams
Describe vs Explain vs Suggest vs Evaluate. The command words that trip up students in every exam session, with board-specific examples and examiner commentary.
Read article →When Should You Get an A-Level Biology Tutor? A Guide for Parents
The warning signs that your child needs support, the optimal timing for starting tuition, and what to expect from a qualified specialist tutor.
Read article →Is a Biology Tutor Worth It? An Honest Assessment
An honest look at when tutoring makes a real difference, when it does not, what good tutoring looks like, and how to tell if your child would benefit.
Read article →How Long Should You Revise for A-Level Biology?
There is no magic number of hours. Here is a practical, realistic guide to revision scheduling with board-specific guidance on content volume and sample timetables.
Read article →Mitosis vs Meiosis: The Complete A-Level Biology Comparison
Side-by-side comparison with clear diagrams, the key differences examiners test, common confusions, and what the mark scheme actually requires for each process.
Read article →A-Level Biology Required Practicals: What You Need to Know
Board-specific practical requirements (AQA 12, Edexcel 16, OCR 12 PAGs), how practicals feed into written exams, and the skills examiners test in practical questions.
Read article →Need More Than a Blog Post?
If you are aiming for top grades and want expert, personalised support from someone who has examined for WJEC/Eduqas and Edexcel, book a free 20-minute consultation.
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Looking for something specific? Here are some other ways to get help with your A-Level Biology:
Free A-Level Biology Resources
Video tutorials, revision activities, and topic-specific revision pages covering cell biology, enzymes, transport systems, and more.
Browse resources → GuideAQA vs Edexcel vs OCR Biology
Comprehensive exam board comparison with paper structures, grade boundaries, and which board suits different strengths.
Read comparison →Frequently Asked Questions
All articles are written by Tyrone John, a Chartered Biologist (CBiol MRSB) with over 25 years of A-Level Biology teaching experience. Tyrone is a former examiner for both WJEC/Eduqas and Edexcel, and holds a BSc in Immunology from King’s College London and a Research Degree in Molecular Pharmacology from Newcastle University. Every article draws on real classroom and examining experience — not generic advice.
All major UK and international A-Level Biology exam boards including AQA, Edexcel A (Salters-Nuffield), Edexcel B, OCR A, OCR B, WJEC, Eduqas, IB Biology, and Cambridge International. Where advice differs between boards, this is clearly stated in each article.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is intended for educational guidance only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Biology Education and its author accept no responsibility for individual exam outcomes. Students are advised to consult their own teachers, tutors, and official exam board resources as part of their revision.