HUMAN-BIOLOGY · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
HUMAN-BIOLOGY/22
R (Regional)
Human Biology · 2023 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
180
210 min
Cells, tissues, and internal transport
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
With over 25 marks each, Cells and tissues and Internal transport dominated the assessments.
In Paper 01R, candidates secured easy marks on the eye and ear identification table, while the knee joint diagram showed good familiarity with skeletal structures (though spelling 'tibia' as 'tibula' cost some a mark).
Conversely, a massive number of marks were squandered in 02R Q8 on the step-by-step process of viral protein synthesis, where candidates frequently confused transcription and translation or failed to identify that translation occurs at the ribosomes.
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: 8100%Recall Interpretation
Weight: 788%Practical
Weight: 563%Design
Weight: 450%Mathematical
Weight: 338%Synoptic Application
Weight: 225%
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 9
Approx. 82% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 77% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 72% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 61% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level 2
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
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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Give” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Cells and tissues
26 marks this session
Internal transport
26 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
Homeostatic mechanisms
Disease (Human Biology)
Internal transport
Nutrition and energy
Coordination (Human Biology)
Reproduction and heredity (Human Biology)
Coordination
Gas exchange (Human Biology)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 01R:
Paper 02R:
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
Cells and tissues
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiInternal transport
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiHuman Biology
Session priority from examiner report
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
With over 25 marks each, Cells and tissues and Internal transport dominated the assessments.
- 2Message
In Paper 01R, candidates secured easy marks on the eye and ear identification table, while the knee joint diagram showed good familiarity with skeletal structures (though spelling 'tibia' as 'tibula' cost some a mark).
- 3Message
Conversely, a massive number of marks were squandered in 02R Q8 on the step-by-step process of viral protein synthesis, where candidates frequently confused transcription and translation or failed to identify that translation occurs at the ribosomes.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Human Biology
With over 25 marks each, Cells and tissues and Internal transport dominated the assessments. In Paper 01R, candidates secured easy marks on the eye and ear identification table, while the knee joint diagram showed good familiarity with skeletal structures (though spelling 'tibia'
With over 25 marks each, Cells and tissues and Internal transport dominated the assessments.
In Paper 01R, candidates secured easy marks on the eye and ear identification table, while the knee joint diagram showed good familiarity with skeletal structures (though spelling 'tibia' as 'tibula' cost some a mark).
Conversely, a massive number of marks were squandered in 02R Q8 on the step-by-step process of viral protein synthesis, where candidates frequently confused transcription and translation or failed to identify that translation occurs at the ribosomes.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
With over 25 marks each, Cells and tissues and Internal transport dominated the assessments. In Paper 01R, candidates secured easy marks on the eye and ear identification table, while the knee joint diagram showed good familiarity with skeletal structures (though spelling 'tibia' as 'tibula' cost some a mark). Conversely, a massive number of marks were squandered in 02R Q8 on the step-by-step process of viral protein synthesis, where candidates frequently confused transcription and translation or failed to identify that translation occurs at the ribosomes.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 01R:
Paper 02R:
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.
75% 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.
Structured Short Answer
105·28·58%
Graph Plotting / Calculations
30·10·17%
Extended Open Response / Discussion
30·6·17%
Multiple Choice / Tick-box
15·10·8%
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 (
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.77 m/minTotal marks
125
Total time
140 min
Avg pace
0.89
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Respiration
95%95%
Gas exchange
90%90%
Movement of substances in and out of cells
85%85%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Sentence Completion / Gap Fill, Calculation, Diagram Drawing / Labeling, Short Answer / Identification, Extended Answer / Explanation
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.