GCSE BIOLOGY A (GATEWAY SCIENCE) — Actual June 2025 PAST PAPER: Higher Tier
Biology. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J247/04]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology A (Gateway Science) June 2025 Higher Tier Paper (OCR J247/04) is a fully
integrated resource that merges the complete official examination paper with its corresponding mark
scheme. This combined format enables students to understand not only the scope of content assessed—
cell biology, genetics, ecology, health and disease, bioenergetics, and biological interactions—but also the
precise expectations behind each question. The paper assesses a wide range of skills, including the
application of scientific knowledge, interpretation of data, analysis of experimental scenarios, and
evaluation of biological ideas with clear reasoning. The included mark scheme offers explicit guidance on
command words, required scientific detail, and the distinctions between lower-, middle-, and higher-tier
responses. By integrating questions and marking criteria side-by-side, this resource supports effective
revision, enhances exam technique, and helps learners develop accurate, well-structured answers. It
provides a complete and reliable tool for preparing for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway
Science) Higher Tier examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 A student is investigating variation by collecting data on shoe sizes.
These are the shoe sizes of six members of their family.
10 5 6 7 8 6
Which of these statements about the data is correct?
A The mean shoe size and the modal shoe size are the same.
B The mean shoe size is 6.
C The mean shoe size is larger than the modal shoe size.
D The modal shoe size is 7.
Your answer [1]
2 People can be vaccinated against HPV.
Which graph shows the correct link between the number of people vaccinated and the number of
people with cervical cancer?
A Cases of B Vaccinated
cervical cancer against HPV
Number Vaccinated Number
of people against HPV of people
Cases of
cervical cancer
Year Year
C D Vaccinated
against HPV
Number Vaccinated Number
of people against HPV of people Cases of
Cases of cervical cancer
cervical cancer
Year Year
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 What is an adaptation of white blood cells?
A They can change shape to squeeze out of blood vessels into tissues.
B They have many ribosomes to produce antibiotics.
C They lack a nucleus so that they can engulf bacteria.
D They produce enzymes to make blood clot.
Your answer [1]
4 What is the correct definition of hydroponics?
A A process for growing plants in a mineral solution
B A process in the water cycle
C The movement of sweat out of sweat glands in the skin
D The movement of water in xylem vessels
Your answer [1]
5 An organism has the alleles Aa for a gene.
What do the Aa alleles represent?
A A heterozygous genotype
B A heterozygous phenotype
C A homozygous genotype
D A homozygous phenotype
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
6 Which of these units of genetic material is largest?
A Base
B Chromosome
C Gene
D Genome
Your answer [1]
7 The flow chart shows some developments in our understanding of genetics.
A The characteristics of two parents are blended so that the offspring has
intermediate characteristics.
B Characteristics are controlled by pairs of factors and one copy of each is passed on
to the next generation.
C Genes are the unit of inheritance and have specific locations on chromosomes.
D Genes are made of DNA.
Which stage on the flow chart represents the ideas of Mendel?
Your answer [1]
8 Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium?
A AIDS
B Barley powdery mildew
C Crown gall disease
D Tobacco mosaic disease
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
Biology. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J247/04]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology A (Gateway Science) June 2025 Higher Tier Paper (OCR J247/04) is a fully
integrated resource that merges the complete official examination paper with its corresponding mark
scheme. This combined format enables students to understand not only the scope of content assessed—
cell biology, genetics, ecology, health and disease, bioenergetics, and biological interactions—but also the
precise expectations behind each question. The paper assesses a wide range of skills, including the
application of scientific knowledge, interpretation of data, analysis of experimental scenarios, and
evaluation of biological ideas with clear reasoning. The included mark scheme offers explicit guidance on
command words, required scientific detail, and the distinctions between lower-, middle-, and higher-tier
responses. By integrating questions and marking criteria side-by-side, this resource supports effective
revision, enhances exam technique, and helps learners develop accurate, well-structured answers. It
provides a complete and reliable tool for preparing for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway
Science) Higher Tier examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 A student is investigating variation by collecting data on shoe sizes.
These are the shoe sizes of six members of their family.
10 5 6 7 8 6
Which of these statements about the data is correct?
A The mean shoe size and the modal shoe size are the same.
B The mean shoe size is 6.
C The mean shoe size is larger than the modal shoe size.
D The modal shoe size is 7.
Your answer [1]
2 People can be vaccinated against HPV.
Which graph shows the correct link between the number of people vaccinated and the number of
people with cervical cancer?
A Cases of B Vaccinated
cervical cancer against HPV
Number Vaccinated Number
of people against HPV of people
Cases of
cervical cancer
Year Year
C D Vaccinated
against HPV
Number Vaccinated Number
of people against HPV of people Cases of
Cases of cervical cancer
cervical cancer
Year Year
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 What is an adaptation of white blood cells?
A They can change shape to squeeze out of blood vessels into tissues.
B They have many ribosomes to produce antibiotics.
C They lack a nucleus so that they can engulf bacteria.
D They produce enzymes to make blood clot.
Your answer [1]
4 What is the correct definition of hydroponics?
A A process for growing plants in a mineral solution
B A process in the water cycle
C The movement of sweat out of sweat glands in the skin
D The movement of water in xylem vessels
Your answer [1]
5 An organism has the alleles Aa for a gene.
What do the Aa alleles represent?
A A heterozygous genotype
B A heterozygous phenotype
C A homozygous genotype
D A homozygous phenotype
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
6 Which of these units of genetic material is largest?
A Base
B Chromosome
C Gene
D Genome
Your answer [1]
7 The flow chart shows some developments in our understanding of genetics.
A The characteristics of two parents are blended so that the offspring has
intermediate characteristics.
B Characteristics are controlled by pairs of factors and one copy of each is passed on
to the next generation.
C Genes are the unit of inheritance and have specific locations on chromosomes.
D Genes are made of DNA.
Which stage on the flow chart represents the ideas of Mendel?
Your answer [1]
8 Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium?
A AIDS
B Barley powdery mildew
C Crown gall disease
D Tobacco mosaic disease
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
