7402 · AQA A Level
7402/31
(Synoptic & Practical)
Biology · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
260
360 min
Mass transport in plants and animals, alongside energy transfers and cycles
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
260
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A comprehensive analysis of the June 2022 AQA A-level Biology (7402) series.
This set of papers rigorously assesses both core biological concepts and high-level evaluation skills, featuring standard mathematical calculations and a synoptic essay.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Recall & Understanding
Weight: 6100%Terminology Analysis & E
Weight: 583%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 350%Synoptic
Weight: 233%Writing
Weight: 117%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A*
Approx. 67% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 34% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 24% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 14% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 0.3
Min per mark: 0
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Mass transport
22 marks this session
Nutrient cycles
20 marks this session
Photosynthesis
19 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Mass transport
Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
Nutrient cycles
Cell structure
Synoptic Essay
Cell recognition and the immune system
Populations in ecosystems
Photosynthesis
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Paper 3:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Mass transport
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNutrient cycles
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPhotosynthesis
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A comprehensive analysis of the June 2022 AQA A-level Biology (7402) series.
- 2Message
This set of papers rigorously assesses both core biological concepts and high-level evaluation skills, featuring standard mathematical calculations and a synoptic essay.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Biology
A comprehensive analysis of the June 2022 AQA A-level Biology (7402) series. This set of papers rigorously assesses both core biological concepts and high-level evaluation skills, featuring standard mathematical calculations and a synoptic essay.
A comprehensive analysis of the June 2022 AQA A-level Biology (7402) series.
This set of papers rigorously assesses both core biological concepts and high-level evaluation skills, featuring standard mathematical calculations and a synoptic essay.
- Total marks
- 260
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
A comprehensive analysis of the June 2022 AQA A-level Biology (7402) series. This set of papers rigorously assesses both core biological concepts and high-level evaluation skills, featuring standard mathematical calculations and a synoptic essay.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Paper 3:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
77% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Short Answer & Explanation
182·68·70%
Data Analysis & Calculations
48·18·18%
Synoptic Essay
25·1·10%
Multiple Choice / Tick Box
5·5·2%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1
45.55 m/minPaper
3.37 m/minPaper 3 Section A
0.56 m/minTotal marks
1189
Total time
140 min
Avg pace
8.49
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Inorganic ions
85%85%
DNA and protein synthesis
80%80%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 78
- Weighting
- 30%
- Question types
- Short Answer (Factual & Recall), Data Analysis & Evaluation, Mathematical & Practical Calculations, Synoptic Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.