Scoring a high mark in exams requires solid preparation, including research, notes taking, and going through mock tests. Without these steps, it is very difficult to do well, especially if the exams are as hectic and vigorous as A-levels.
A-level Biology essay takes a lot of time to learn and prepare to master. There are so many variables and each one could be trickier than the last one. Still, going through the latest paper pattern, past essay examples, and relevant reference material can help students earn exemplary grades on the paper.
In this post, we will go through the latest form of the A-level Biology Essay and some past essay questions for the convenience of students.
Still, if you are not up for a challenge, you can reach out to us and we’ll write an essay for you!
A-Level Biology Essay Structure
Before attempting to write a great essay in an A-level biology essay, students should go through its structure. It is because by spelling out abstract ideas or sporadic terms, they will not be able to get top-tier scores.
Following is a rundown of some of the components of a great 25 mark AQA A-level Biology essay paper:
- Well-thought-out abstract
- Explanation through the main body
- Fine-tuned content with examples
- Supplementary sources
Let’s go through each point to learn how to structure an A-level Biology essay.
Well-thought-out abstract
In the official mark scheme, the examination body has directed the examiners that maximum marks should be awarded to those students who have written an “extended abstract”.
In simple terms, an abstract is like an introduction. It is usually longer than a paragraph of 5 to 6 well-structured sentences. The abstract sheds light on the paper, in this case, an A-level biology paper, and its contents that will be discussed in the main body.
The rationale for writing an abstract for a paper is simple. It describes, not explains or defends, what the succeeding sections of the paper will explain or defend.
If a student is planning to secure maximum marks in his A-level Biology paper, then mastering the layout of the paper comes first, especially the abstract.
Explanation through the main body
After the abstract comes the meat and bones of an A-level Biology paper. In this section, which can be called the main body, students must defend, explain, or expand on the premise they set out in the abstract.
A great body section of the paper should use necessary writing methods, such as exposition, narration, and so on to clear a doubt or point. It should be comprehensive and should cover all the bases. The coherence of the prose can make it easier for readers, in this case, examiners, to see how much understanding the writer has about the subject.
Fine-tuned content with examples
The official document on mark schemes has also put a lot of stress on the scientific content of the AQA A-Level paper. According to that, the content in each section of the answer should be a part of the whole. If a point is raised in one section, it should be discussed and elaborated on with necessary examples before moving on to another point.
Also, the level of understanding and caliber in writing should be reflective of A-levels studies in general, and not that of GCSE.
Supplementary sources
The rationale behind conducting an A-level essay is to check the level of understanding and acumen at the end of students. The contents of the paper should be clearly explained and well-written with no grammatical errors or structural inconsistencies.
Overall, the paper should show to the examiners that the writer did not stop at prescribed sources and went beyond that in preparing the paper.
Tips on Writing a 25 Mark AQA Biology Essay
Simply explaining the nuances of the A-level paper may not be enough for a majority of students. Apart from quoting official resources and going through the intricacies of the structure of the first-class essay, it is time to share some practical tips that will help students in getting down all the essentials.
Some tips on securing 25 marks on the AQA essay are given below:
- Proper Bridging Between Sections
- Wholesome Approach Toward Answers
- Proofing & Editing
- Appropriate Terminology
- No Irrelevant Material
Proper Bridging Between Sections
The examination body prefers a “holistic” approach to answering the question in an A-level essay. It means that each section and subsection of the answer should serve only one purpose, to elaborate on or to defend the stance taken by the writer. Anything else can be distracting and deemed irrelevant.
Wholesome Approach Toward Answers
There must be no stray sections of sporadic paragraphs telling the same thing over and over again. Instead, each answer is given with all its relevant supporting material organized in an easy-to-read manner. It should be comprehensive in detailing and leading the content in the right direction with a suitable example.
Proofing & Editing
Many students are of the view that there is simply not enough time to proof or edit the A-level Biology essay paper before turning it to the invigilator. There may be some truth to this claim, but it is also true that these papers carry so many grammatical mistakes, including spellings, conjunctions, prepositions, etc.
That’s why it pays dearly to go through a session of proofing and making necessary edits before submitting the paper for marking. It will not only leave a great impression but also fetch superior marks.
Appropriate Terminology
This is another thing that is often stressed in the instructions by examiners. Using proper terms and phrases lead examiners to think that the writer spends ample time preparing and understanding the paper. In contrast to this, the paper has misleading terms and a vague choice of words.
No Irrelevant Material
Adding irrelevant material to the paper is more harmful than leaving something out because of irrelevance or doubt. This is on the same lines that understatements are much better than overstatements resembling a quick plan.
In the guidelines section, the examining body has clearly stated that anything, a line or several lines, that fails to address the topic or the theme of the title will be considered irrelevant.
Past A-Level Biology Essay Questions
After going through some of the practical tips to prepare the A-level paper, students will have plenty of material and guidelines to prepare the paper. Another way to ace the details is to go through the past papers. They can reveal to the students what to expect in the paper and serve as practice papers to improve their preparation.
Here is a list of some of the example questions that have been asked in the A-level Biology paper in the past:
- Cycles In Biology A Level Essay
- Importance Of Proteins A-Level Biology Essay
- The Importance Of Diffusion In Organisms
- The Importance Of Cycles In Biology
- Explain the importance of ions in biology
- The importance of diffusion in organisms
- Genetic diversity and adaptation
- The importance of nitrogen-containing substances in biological systems
- Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
- Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes
Conclusion
It is safe to summarize that an A-level Biology essay writing can be tricky to prepare to get maximum marks. Many students go through a lot of trials and tribulations but come up short. In this article, we have outlined the physics of the paper, along with some pro tips that will help the students in self-evaluating during the preparation phase. In the end, some questions from the past papers were given to have students some semblance of what to expect in the paper. Aspirants can learn valuable lessons by going through this article for their interests in an A-level essay.