7401 · AQA AS Level
7401/11
Paper 1
Biology · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.0 / 5
150
180 min
Mass transport in organisms and exchange systems
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A highly challenging and comprehensive AS-level exam series focusing heavily on mass transport, gas exchange, and mathematical interpretations, demanding rigorous analytical reasoning and precise practical skills.
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.
Factual
Weight: 6100%Recall (A
Weight: 583%Application of
Weight: 467%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 350%Practical & Numerical Skills
Weight: 233%Drawing
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. 50% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 27% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 20% 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.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Mass transport
22 marks this session
Gas exchange
14 marks this session
Cell recognition and the immune system
13 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
Cell recognition and the immune system
DNA and protein synthesis
All cells arise from other cells
Biodiversity within a community / Investigating diversity
Gas exchange
Cell structure
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (7401/1):
Paper 2 (7401/2):
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 RevuiGas exchange
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCell recognition and the immune system
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A highly challenging and comprehensive AS-level exam series focusing heavily on mass transport, gas exchange, and mathematical interpretations, demanding rigorous analytical reasoning and precise practical skills.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Biology
A highly challenging and comprehensive AS-level exam series focusing heavily on mass transport, gas exchange, and mathematical interpretations, demanding rigorous analytical reasoning and precise practical skills.
A highly challenging and comprehensive AS-level exam series focusing heavily on mass transport, gas exchange, and mathematical interpretations, demanding rigorous analytical reasoning and precise practical skills.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
A highly challenging and comprehensive AS-level exam series focusing heavily on mass transport, gas exchange, and mathematical interpretations, demanding rigorous analytical reasoning and precise practical skills.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (7401/1):
Paper 2 (7401/2):
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 & Recall
105·48·70%
Data Analysis & Calculations
21·8·14%
Extended Evaluation
13·4·9%
Practical Investigations & Drawing
11·4·7%
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 Questions 1
0.88 m/minPaper 1 Questions 6
0.79 m/minPaper 2 Questions 1
0.87 m/minPaper 2 Questions 6
0.80 m/minTotal marks
150
Total time
180 min
Avg pace
0.83
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
DNA, genes and chromosomes
5%5%
Transport across cell membranes
5%5%
Biodiversity within a community
4%4%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Structured Questions
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.