9700 · Cambridge International A Level
Biology (9700) Exam Tips
Many candidates lose critical marks not because of a lack of biological knowledge, but because they fail to decode the command words in the question. Top scorers spend the first two minutes of any structured question highlighting the verbs: describe, explain, suggest, or calculat…
Papers
5
Total marks
270
Time limit
7h 45min
Grade scale
Additional note
Calculator policy
A silent scientific calculator is required where the syllabus permits one. It must NOT be graphical, programmable, or capable of symbolic algebra (CAS), and it must contain no stored programs or notes.
5
Papers
5
Strategies
6
Mistakes
- Many candidates lose critical marks not because of a lack of biological knowledge, but because they fail to decode the command words in the question. Top scorers spend the first two minutes of any structured question highlighting the verbs: describe, explain, suggest, or calculate.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.