GCE
Biology A
H420/03: Unified biology
A Level
Mark Scheme for June 2026
Cambridge OCR
,Cambridge OCR is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to
meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. Cambridge OCR qualifications include
AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills,
Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT,
business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
needs of students and teachers. Cambridge OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus
made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications
and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
Cambridge OCR 2026
Cambridge OCR
, H420/03 Mark Scheme June 2026
Marking Instructions
Preparation For Marking
1. RM Assessor
• Access and complete the on-screen marking training packages: OCR Examiner Training (RMA3).
• Read the mark scheme and question paper for this component or unit.
• The mark scheme and question paper are available in RM Assessor or on your Component Page if you use the Training Platform for
standardisation.
• Log in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice scripts and the required number of standardisation scripts.
Marking
2. General Guidance
• Mark strictly to the mark scheme.
• Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria.
• If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by phone, email or via the RM Assessor messaging
system.
• It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% batch deadlines. For traditional marking this will be 40% and 100%. If you
experience problems, contact your Team Leader without delay.
• Always check the pages (and additional objects if present) at the end of the response in case any answers have been continued there. If the
candidate has continued an answer there, then add the annotation ‘SEEN’ to confirm that the work has been seen and mark any responses
using the annotations.
• The RM Assessor comments box is used by your Team Leader to explain the marking of the practice responses. Use these comments when
checking your practice responses. Do not use the comments box for any other reason.
2
, H420/03 Mark Scheme June 2026
• Before the end of the marking period send a brief report on the performance of candidates to your Team Leader via email. The report should
contain notes on strengths displayed as well as common errors or weaknesses. Constructive criticism of the question paper/mark scheme is
also appreciated.
3. No Response and Crossed-out Answers
Using the No Response (NR) option. Only mark as NR if:
- the answer space is blank
- there is only a comment not related to the question (e.g., ‘can’t do’, ‘don’t know’)
- there is only a mark (e.g., a dash, a question mark) which is not an attempt at the question.
Note: Enter 0 marks for an attempt that earns no credit (including copying out the question). Do not use NR.
Crossed-out answers
If a candidate has crossed out an answer and written a clear alternative, do not mark the crossed-out answer.
If a candidate has crossed out an answer and not written a clear alternative, mark the crossed-out answer if it is readable.
4. Responses with more answers than needed
• Multiple-choice question answers
When a multiple-choice question has only one correct answer and a candidate has written two or more answers (even if one of these answers is
correct), do not award a mark.
When a multiple-choice question asks candidates to select more than one option the marking guidance from your Principal Examiner will ensure
consistency of approach.
• Contradictory answers in points-based questions
Do not award any marks, even if one of the answers is correct.
3
Biology A
H420/03: Unified biology
A Level
Mark Scheme for June 2026
Cambridge OCR
,Cambridge OCR is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to
meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. Cambridge OCR qualifications include
AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills,
Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT,
business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
needs of students and teachers. Cambridge OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus
made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications
and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
Cambridge OCR 2026
Cambridge OCR
, H420/03 Mark Scheme June 2026
Marking Instructions
Preparation For Marking
1. RM Assessor
• Access and complete the on-screen marking training packages: OCR Examiner Training (RMA3).
• Read the mark scheme and question paper for this component or unit.
• The mark scheme and question paper are available in RM Assessor or on your Component Page if you use the Training Platform for
standardisation.
• Log in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice scripts and the required number of standardisation scripts.
Marking
2. General Guidance
• Mark strictly to the mark scheme.
• Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria.
• If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by phone, email or via the RM Assessor messaging
system.
• It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% batch deadlines. For traditional marking this will be 40% and 100%. If you
experience problems, contact your Team Leader without delay.
• Always check the pages (and additional objects if present) at the end of the response in case any answers have been continued there. If the
candidate has continued an answer there, then add the annotation ‘SEEN’ to confirm that the work has been seen and mark any responses
using the annotations.
• The RM Assessor comments box is used by your Team Leader to explain the marking of the practice responses. Use these comments when
checking your practice responses. Do not use the comments box for any other reason.
2
, H420/03 Mark Scheme June 2026
• Before the end of the marking period send a brief report on the performance of candidates to your Team Leader via email. The report should
contain notes on strengths displayed as well as common errors or weaknesses. Constructive criticism of the question paper/mark scheme is
also appreciated.
3. No Response and Crossed-out Answers
Using the No Response (NR) option. Only mark as NR if:
- the answer space is blank
- there is only a comment not related to the question (e.g., ‘can’t do’, ‘don’t know’)
- there is only a mark (e.g., a dash, a question mark) which is not an attempt at the question.
Note: Enter 0 marks for an attempt that earns no credit (including copying out the question). Do not use NR.
Crossed-out answers
If a candidate has crossed out an answer and written a clear alternative, do not mark the crossed-out answer.
If a candidate has crossed out an answer and not written a clear alternative, mark the crossed-out answer if it is readable.
4. Responses with more answers than needed
• Multiple-choice question answers
When a multiple-choice question has only one correct answer and a candidate has written two or more answers (even if one of these answers is
correct), do not award a mark.
When a multiple-choice question asks candidates to select more than one option the marking guidance from your Principal Examiner will ensure
consistency of approach.
• Contradictory answers in points-based questions
Do not award any marks, even if one of the answers is correct.
3
