7402 · AQA A Level
7402/31
(Synoptic & Practical)
Biology · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.2 / 5
260
360 min
Populations in ecosystems and experimental methodology
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
260
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
4.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of marks resided in high-scoring practical application and data-analysis sub-questions.
In Paper 1, cell fractionation and the role of organelles in protein transport offered a total of 11 marks, which required extremely specific, technical vocabulary (e.g., specifying low-speed centrifugation to pellet nuclei, and avoiding the phrase 'produces energy' when explaining mitochondria).
In Paper 2, the design of a practical procedure to investigate plant growth factors (GA) contributed 5 marks, emphasizing the necessity of planning controlled variables and repeating samples.
Candidates lost the most marks on the high-level evaluation questions in Paper 3 (such as the LPI headline validity and the pralnacasan drug efficacy) by presenting vague arguments or failing to comment on standard deviation overlap, sample size limitations, or the lack of statistical testing.
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.
Practical & Design
Weight: 7100%Calculations & Biological
Weight: 571%Recall
Weight: 343%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 229%
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. 74% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 64% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 54% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 26% 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
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Synoptic Essay
25 marks this session
Populations in ecosystems
19 marks this session
Cell structure
18 marks this session
Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
18 marks this session
Proteins
15 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
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: 7402/2
Paper 2: 7402/3
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
Synoptic Essay
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPopulations in ecosystems
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCell structure
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiStimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiProteins
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of marks resided in high-scoring practical application and data-analysis sub-questions.
- 2Message
In Paper 1, cell fractionation and the role of organelles in protein transport offered a total of 11 marks, which required extremely specific, technical vocabulary (e.g., specifying low-speed centrifugation to pellet nuclei, and avoiding the phrase 'produces energy' when explaining mitochondria).
- 3Message
In Paper 2, the design of a practical procedure to investigate plant growth factors (GA) contributed 5 marks, emphasizing the necessity of planning controlled variables and repeating samples.
- 4Message
Candidates lost the most marks on the high-level evaluation questions in Paper 3 (such as the LPI headline validity and the pralnacasan drug efficacy) by presenting vague arguments or failing to comment on standard deviation overlap, sample size limitations, or the lack of statistical testing.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology
A significant portion of marks resided in high-scoring practical application and data-analysis sub-questions. In Paper 1, cell fractionation and the role of organelles in protein transport offered a total of 11 marks, which required extremely specific, technical vocabulary (e.g.,
A significant portion of marks resided in high-scoring practical application and data-analysis sub-questions.
In Paper 1, cell fractionation and the role of organelles in protein transport offered a total of 11 marks, which required extremely specific, technical vocabulary (e.g., specifying low-speed centrifugation to pellet nuclei, and avoiding the phrase 'produces energy' when explaining mitochondria).
In Paper 2, the design of a practical procedure to investigate plant growth factors (GA) contributed 5 marks, emphasizing the necessity of planning controlled variables and repeating samples.
- Total marks
- 260
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.2 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of marks resided in high-scoring practical application and data-analysis sub-questions. In Paper 1, cell fractionation and the role of organelles in protein transport offered a total of 11 marks, which required extremely specific, technical vocabulary (e.g., specifying low-speed centrifugation to pellet nuclei, and avoiding the phrase 'produces energy' when explaining mitochondria). In Paper 2, the design of a practical procedure to investigate plant growth factors (GA) contributed 5 marks, emphasizing the necessity of planning controlled variables and repeating samples. Candidates lost the most marks on the high-level evaluation questions in Paper 3 (such as the LPI headline validity and the pralnacasan drug efficacy) by presenting vague arguments or failing to comment on standard deviation overlap, sample size limitations, or the lack of statistical testing.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: 7402/2
Paper 2: 7402/3
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.
69% 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.
Data Analysis & Evaluation
92·28·35%
Short Answer
(Factual & Recall)
88·42·34%
Multiple Choice / Tick-Box
30·5·12%
Mathematical & Practical Calculations
25·14·10%
Synoptic Essay
25·1·10%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Nutrient cycles
90%90%
Energy and ecosystems
85%85%
Photosynthesis
80%80%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Vague Scientific Terminology: The word 'it' was a frequent offender. Students must explicitly name the molecule or structure being referred to (e.g., stating 'the cell-surface membrane' instead of 'it').
- Incorrect Zone/Band Behavior: In myofibril questions, candidates frequently confused which bands contract, failing to remember that the A-band remains constant while the H-zone and I-band decrease in length.
- Math Process Errors: For serial dilutions and calculations, candidates routinely lost easy marks by failing to calculate volumes of both stock solution and distilled water, or failing to express ratios appropriately (e.g., 23.8:1).
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.