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Biology — AS Level ( 9700)
AS level · Cambridge 9700

Biology — AS Level ( 9700)

How a single gene builds a protein, how your immune system remembers a virus for years, how species change over millions of years — A Level Biology is the molecular story of life.

Level
AS level
Syllabus
Cambridge International · 9700
Teacher
Dr.Samreen_
Exam session
June & November
Format
Live online classes
$50.00

per month

Ask on WhatsAppBiology subject guide
AboutWhat is includedQuick factsTopic mapExam patternGrades

About this course

This course covers the Cambridge AS Level Biology syllabus (9700), the first year of the full A Level programme. Students will develop an advanced understanding of biological principles at the cellular and molecular level, including cell structure, biological molecules, enzymes, membrane transport, gas exchange, transport systems, and infectious disease. The course builds rigorous analytical thinking, quantitative skills, and experimental design competencies essential for university study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, and biological sciences.

What is included

  • Live online classes with your teacher
  • Quizzes and assignments in your student portal
  • Marks and feedback from your teacher
  • Progress your parents can follow
The syllabus

Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700)

Checked against the official Cambridge syllabus for exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 — and unchanged in substance for 2028–2030

Quick facts

Syllabus code
9700
Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology
AS Level
Papers 1, 2, 3
4 h 30 min in total · grades a–e
Full A Level
Papers 1–5
7 h 45 min in total · grades A*–E
Exam sessions
June & November
(March is offered in India only)
Teaching time
about 180 h (AS) · 360 h (A Level)
Cambridge's guide; usually 2 years
Topics
19
11 at AS Level + 8 more for A Level
Practical
Paper 3 in a lab
Plus Paper 5: planning, analysis & evaluation (written)
Can be staged
AS in Year 1 → A2 in Year 2
AS result is carried forward

Topic map

AS Level

Cells & molecules
  • 1Cell structure
  • 2Biological molecules
  • 3Enzymes
  • 4Cell membranes and transport
  • 5The mitotic cell cycle
  • 6Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
Transport & exchange
  • 7Transport in plants
  • 8Transport in mammals
  • 9Gas exchange
Health
  • 10Infectious diseases
  • 11Immunity

AS Level students also study practical skills.

A Level (adds to all the AS topics)

Energy
  • 12Energy and respiration
  • 13Photosynthesis
Control
  • 14Homeostasis
  • 15Control and coordination
Genes & evolution
  • 16Inheritance
  • 17Selection and evolution
  • 18Classification, biodiversity and conservation
  • 19Genetic technology

A Level students also study practical skills.

Exam pattern

Paper 1 — Multiple Choice
AS & A Level
31% of AS · 15.5% of A Level

40 multiple-choice questions on AS content.

1 hour 15 minutes40 marks
Paper 2 — AS Level Structured Questions
AS & A Level
46% of AS · 23% of A Level

Structured questions on AS content.

1 hour 15 minutes60 marks
Paper 3 — Advanced Practical Skills
AS & A Level
23% of AS · 11.5% of A Level

Practical work in a lab plus structured questions on practical skills.

2 hours40 marks
Paper 4 — A Level Structured Questions
A Level only
38.5% of A Level

Structured questions on A Level content — AS knowledge is needed too.

2 hours100 marks
Paper 5 — Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
A Level only
11.5% of A Level

Written questions on planning investigations and analysing data — the context may be outside the syllabus.

1 hour 15 minutes30 marks

Three ways to take it

AS Level only
Papers 1, 2 and 3 in the same exam series.
A Level, staged over two years
Year 1: Papers 1, 2, 3 (AS). Year 2: Papers 4 and 5. Your AS result is carried forward (Cambridge rules and time limits apply).
A Level in one go
All five papers in the same exam series.

All papers are marked by Cambridge. Paper 3 is done in a laboratory at your exam centre — ask about it when you register.

Grades

What it took in June 2026 (full A Level, all five papers)

Minimum marks out of 260 for each grade.

A*
about 73–78%
190–202
A
about 63–68%
165–177
B
about 54–58%
140–152
C
about 46–50%
120–131
D
about 38–43%
100–111
E
about 31–35%
80–91

Minimum weighted marks out of 260 in June 2026; the range covers the different paper variants. For AS Level alone (out of 130) an 'a' needed about 86–92.

The grade scale

AS Level: a, b, c, d, e. Full A Level: A*, A, B, C, D, E. 'Ungraded' means below the lowest grade and is not shown on the certificate.

What a good grade means

Medicine and dentistry usually ask for A/A* grades in Biology and Chemistry. Check each university's own requirements.

Full subject guide
Everything about Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700)

Why study it, types of questions, command words, what examiners reward, books, common mistakes, a study plan, careers and FAQs.

Read the guide
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