Qualification
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
! This specification is for first teach September 2023.
First assessment will be Summer 2025.
A LEVEL
Specification
BIOLOGY A
H420
For first assessment in 2025
Version 3.1 (October 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelbiologya
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing…A Level Biology A ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Biology A? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Biology A? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 4
2 The specification overview 5
2a. Overview of A Level in Biology A (H420) 5
2b. Content of A Level in Biology A (H420) 6
2c. Content of modules 1 to 6 8
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 51
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Biology A 52
3a. Forms of assessment 52
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 53
3c. Total qualification time 53
3d. Assessment availability 54
3e. Retaking the qualification 54
3f. Assessment of extended responses 54
3g. Synoptic assessment 54
3h. Calculating qualification results 54
4 Admin: what you need to know 55
4a. Pre-assessment 55
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 57
4c. External assessment arrangements 57
4d. Admin of non-exam assessment 57
4e. Results and certificates 58
4f. Post-results services 58
4g. Malpractice 58
5 Appendices 59
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 59
5b. Avoidance of bias 59
5c. How Science Works (HSW) 60
5d. Mathematical requirements 61
5e. Health and Safety 71
5f. Practical endorsement 72
5g. Revision of the requirements for practical work 78
Summary of updates 79
Version 3.1 © OCR 2023
A Level in Biology A i
, Introducing…
A Level Biology A
This specification allows teachers to adopt a flexible This specification incorporates the Ofqual GCE Subject
approach to the delivery of A Level Biology. The course Level Conditions and Requirements for Biology.
has been designed to enable centres to deliver the
content modules (Modules 2–6) using the framework Contact the team
provided, or to design a customised course. Practical
work undertaken to support teaching of the content We have a dedicated team of people working on our
will serve to cover the requirements of the practical A Level Biology qualifications.
skills module (Module 1), which is assessed in the If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
written examinations and through the Practical
in touch as follows:
Endorsement.
• 01223 553998
The specification is divided into topics, each containing
different key concepts of biology. Throughout the •
specification, cross-references indicate the relevance
of individual learning outcomes to the mathematical • @OCR_science
and practical criteria that are embedded in the
assessments.
Version 3.1 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Biology A
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
! This specification is for first teach September 2023.
First assessment will be Summer 2025.
A LEVEL
Specification
BIOLOGY A
H420
For first assessment in 2025
Version 3.1 (October 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelbiologya
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing…A Level Biology A ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Biology A? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Biology A? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 4
2 The specification overview 5
2a. Overview of A Level in Biology A (H420) 5
2b. Content of A Level in Biology A (H420) 6
2c. Content of modules 1 to 6 8
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 51
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Biology A 52
3a. Forms of assessment 52
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 53
3c. Total qualification time 53
3d. Assessment availability 54
3e. Retaking the qualification 54
3f. Assessment of extended responses 54
3g. Synoptic assessment 54
3h. Calculating qualification results 54
4 Admin: what you need to know 55
4a. Pre-assessment 55
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 57
4c. External assessment arrangements 57
4d. Admin of non-exam assessment 57
4e. Results and certificates 58
4f. Post-results services 58
4g. Malpractice 58
5 Appendices 59
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 59
5b. Avoidance of bias 59
5c. How Science Works (HSW) 60
5d. Mathematical requirements 61
5e. Health and Safety 71
5f. Practical endorsement 72
5g. Revision of the requirements for practical work 78
Summary of updates 79
Version 3.1 © OCR 2023
A Level in Biology A i
, Introducing…
A Level Biology A
This specification allows teachers to adopt a flexible This specification incorporates the Ofqual GCE Subject
approach to the delivery of A Level Biology. The course Level Conditions and Requirements for Biology.
has been designed to enable centres to deliver the
content modules (Modules 2–6) using the framework Contact the team
provided, or to design a customised course. Practical
work undertaken to support teaching of the content We have a dedicated team of people working on our
will serve to cover the requirements of the practical A Level Biology qualifications.
skills module (Module 1), which is assessed in the If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
written examinations and through the Practical
in touch as follows:
Endorsement.
• 01223 553998
The specification is divided into topics, each containing
different key concepts of biology. Throughout the •
specification, cross-references indicate the relevance
of individual learning outcomes to the mathematical • @OCR_science
and practical criteria that are embedded in the
assessments.
Version 3.1 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Biology A
