BIOLOGY-A-H020 · Cambridge OCR AS Level
BIOLOGY-A-H020/21
Depth in Biology
Biology A · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
140
180 min
Biological membranes & Communicable diseases
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity.
Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating.
While foundational knowledge remains highly accessible, the exam separates top performers through complex mathematical calculations, detailed experimental procedures, and structured, high-tariff extended responses.
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.
Knowledge
Weight: 4100%Recall
Weight: 375%Application and Analysis
Weight: 250%Practical and
Weight: 125%
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. 66% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 59% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 37% 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
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 “Outline” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Biological membranes
23 marks this session
Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
23 marks this session
Transport in animals
20 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
Biological molecules
Biological membranes
Transport in animals
Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
Transport in plants
Enzymes
Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
H020/01 Breadth in biology: H020/02 Depth in biology:
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
Biological membranes
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCommunicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTransport in animals
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity.
- 2Message
Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating.
- 3Message
While foundational knowledge remains highly accessible, the exam separates top performers through complex mathematical calculations, detailed experimental procedures, and structured, high-tariff extended responses.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology A
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity. Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating. While foundational knowledge rem
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity.
Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating.
While foundational knowledge remains highly accessible, the exam separates top performers through complex mathematical calculations, detailed experimental procedures, and structured, high-tariff extended responses.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity. Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating. While foundational knowledge remains highly accessible, the exam separates top performers through complex mathematical calculations, detailed experimental procedures, and structured, high-tariff extended responses.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
H020/01 Breadth in biology: H020/02 Depth in biology:
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.
79% 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 / Structured
108·33·77%
Multiple Choice
(Section A, Paper 1)
20·20·14%
Extended Response
(Level of Response)
12·2·9%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (
0.80 m/minPaper 1 Section B (
0.77 m/minTotal marks
70
Total time
90 min
Avg pace
0.78
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.
Enzymes
85%85%
Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation
80%80%
Exchange surfaces
75%75%
2024 OCR AS Level Biology A Analysis
The 2024 OCR AS Level Biology A series (H020/01 and H020/02) presents a well-balanced assessment of the Foundations in Biology alongside core concepts in Exchange and Transport, and Biodiversity. Overall, the papers earn a 3.5/5 difficulty rating. While foundational knowledge remains highly accessible, the exam separates top performers through complex mathematical calculations, detailed experimental procedures, and structured, high-tariff extended responses.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 70
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- structured-short-answer, structured-medium-answer, level-of-response
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.