A expert-level exam analysis and prep guide for Pearson Edexcel AS Level Biology B (8BI0), covering Paper 1 (Core Cellular Biology and Microbiology) and Paper 2 (Core Physiology and Ecology). Focuses on mastering strict examiner command words, magnification and standard deviation mathematics, core practical CPAC structures, and full-marks level-of-response exam techniques.
読了時間 4 分更新日: 2026年6月21日
試験の概要
試験数
2
満点
160
制限時間
3時間
出題形式
3
試験
時間
配点
問題数
配点比率
出題形式
Paper 1: Core Cellular Biology and Microbiology
1時間 30分
80
9
50%
Multiple Choice, Short Answer / Structural Drawing / Math Calculation, Free Response / Experimental Design
Paper 2: Core Physiology and Ecology
1時間 30分
80
8
50%
Multiple Choice, Short Answer / Structural Drawing / Math Calculation, Free Response / Experimental Design / Data Analysis
評価段階
ABCDEU
電卓の規定
A scientific or graphical calculator that meets JCQ regulations may be used (some GCSE Mathematics and Science papers are non-calculator). Graphical calculators must be set to exam mode; you must clear any stored programs, notes or data before the exam, and the calculator must not be able to retrieve stored text or formulae.
AO1: AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures (36%)
AO2: AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures (42%)
AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to make judgements and reach conclusions and develop and refine practical design and procedures (22%)
過去問と採点基準にもとづいて作成(2022–2024)。
電卓プログラム
Graph: zeros, intersections & turning points
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Plot a function to read its roots (zeros), points of intersection, and maxima/minima.
使う場面: Checking solutions, sketching, or solving where an analytic method is hard.
手順
Graph the function(s) and use the built-in zero, intersect and maximum/minimum tools.
試験での注意: Allowed under JCQ rules, but you must still show your method — an unsupported calculator answer earns no method marks. Clear all stored programs, notes and data (graphical calculators in exam mode) before the exam.
Numerical equation solver
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Solve an equation or find a variable numerically when an algebraic route is long or implicit.
使う場面: Iterative or implicit equations, or to confirm an algebraic solution.
手順
Use the equation/zero solver, entering the equation and a sensible starting estimate.
試験での注意: Allowed under JCQ rules, but you must still show your method — an unsupported calculator answer earns no method marks. Clear all stored programs, notes and data (graphical calculators in exam mode) before the exam.
Numerical integration & differentiation
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Evaluate a definite integral \(\int_a^b f(x)\,dx\) or a gradient \(f'(x)\) at a point.
使う場面: Checking calculus answers, or where only a numerical value is needed.
手順
Use the GDC's numeric integral / derivative function with the limits or the point.
試験での注意: Allowed under JCQ rules, but you must still show your method — an unsupported calculator answer earns no method marks. Clear all stored programs, notes and data (graphical calculators in exam mode) before the exam.
Statistics & probability distributions
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: 1-var/2-var statistics, linear regression, and cumulative binomial / normal / Poisson probabilities without tables.
使う場面: Statistics questions and hypothesis tests.
手順
Enter data in the statistics editor, or use the distribution menu (binomial cdf, normal cdf, …).
試験での注意: Allowed under JCQ rules, but you must still show your method — an unsupported calculator answer earns no method marks. Clear all stored programs, notes and data (graphical calculators in exam mode) before the exam.
よくあるミス
1high影響する配点: 2Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function
Dividing drawing size by actual size in magnification calculations without converting the drawing size units (mm or cm) to micrometers (um).
回避方法: Always measure the drawing in mm, multiply by 1,000 to convert to micrometers (um), and then divide by the actual size (e.g., actual mitochondrion length of 0.9 um).
2medium影響する配点: 1Cell transport mechanisms
Omitting the negative sign '-' when writing values for osmotic potential (pi) or water potential (psi).
回避方法: Remember that osmotic and water potentials are always negative or zero. Double-check your final answer to ensure the negative sign is explicitly written.
3high影響する配点: 2Eukaryotic cell cycle and division
Using chromosome and chromatid terminology interchangeably when explaining stages of the cell cycle or meiosis.
回避方法: A double-stranded chromosome consists of two identical sister chromatids joined at the centromere. Refer to chromatids separating during anaphase, and chromosomes lining up during metaphase.
4high影響する配点: 2Transport in plants
Failing to state the biological reason for safety/procedural steps in plant water-loss experiments (such as cutting a stem under water in potometer setups).
回避方法: Explicitly state that cutting the stem under water prevents air bubbles from entering the xylem, which would otherwise disrupt the continuous cohesive water column and halt transpiration.
5medium影響する配点: 2Enzymes
Failing to draw a mathematically accurate tangent line when calculating rates from curved graphs.
回避方法: Use a clear plastic ruler to draw a straight line that touches the outside of the curve at exactly the specified timestamp (e.g., 2 hours). Calculate the gradient of this tangent (change in y divided by change in x).
6high影響する配点: 4Proteins
Giving only differences and omitting similarities in 'compare and contrast' structural or biochemical questions.
回避方法: Ensure you write down at least one clear similarity alongside differences. Use structures of the molecules (like C, H, O contents or shared bond types) to secure these marks easily.
7medium影響する配点: 3Cell transport mechanisms
Dividing by n instead of n-1 when calculating sample standard deviation manually in practical analysis questions.
回避方法: Strictly follow the provided formula: s = sqrt( sum( (x - mean)^2 ) / (n - 1) ), where n is the number of repeats (not the total data points in all treatments).
8medium影響する配点: 2Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function
Drawing a cellular organelle (like a mitochondrion) with broken, sketchy lines, overlapping borders, or artistic shading.
回避方法: Use a sharp HB pencil to draw clean, continuous single-line boundaries. Show double membranes clearly without any artistic shading or overlapping pencil strokes.
9medium影響する配点: 2Transport in plants
Assuming all water taken up by a plant shoot in a potometer is transpired, ignoring other physiological uses.
回避方法: State that water uptake is not exactly equal to water loss because some water is retained inside cells to maintain turgor pressure, or is used as a reactant in photosynthesis.
10high影響する配点: 6Blood cell functions and cardiac cycle
Failing to link data observations to biological rationale in 6-mark level-of-response questions.
回避方法: Structure your answer by pairing every observed data trend with its physiological or biochemical explanation (e.g., link low lymphocyte counts directly to decreased antibody synthesis and a weakened immune system).
11medium影響する配点: 2Carbohydrates
Believing that Benedict's color chart provides an exact, quantitative measurement of glucose concentration.
回避方法: Describe this method as semiquantitative, noting that judging colors visually is subjective and that the chart colors represent broad concentration ranges rather than precise concentrations.