This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the AQA AS Level Biology (7401) assessment structure, highlights high-frequency mistakes from examiner reports, and offers expert strategic advice to maximize marks.
閱讀時間 3 分鐘更新於: 2026年6月21日
試卷概覽
卷數
2
總分
150
考試時間
3小時
題型
3
試卷
時間
分數
題數
比重
題型
Paper 1
1小時 30分鐘
75
9
50%
Short 結構題
Paper 2
1小時 30分鐘
75
9
50%
Short 結構題 & Extended Writing
評級
ABCDEU
計算機規定
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 (35%)
AO2: AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures (40%)
AO3: AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence (25%)
根據歷屆試題與評分準則整理（2022–2024）。
計算機程式
Graph: zeros, intersections & turning points
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
用途: Plot a function to read its roots (zeros), points of intersection, and maxima/minima.
使用時機: Checking solutions, sketching, or solving where an analytic method is hard.
步驟
Graph the function(s) and use the built-in zero, intersect and maximum/minimum tools.
考試提示: 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)
用途: Solve an equation or find a variable numerically when an algebraic route is long or implicit.
使用時機: Iterative or implicit equations, or to confirm an algebraic solution.
步驟
Use the equation/zero solver, entering the equation and a sensible starting estimate.
考試提示: 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)
用途: Evaluate a definite integral \(\int_a^b f(x)\,dx\) or a gradient \(f'(x)\) at a point.
使用時機: Checking calculus answers, or where only a numerical value is needed.
步驟
Use the GDC's numeric integral / derivative function with the limits or the point.
考試提示: 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)
用途: 1-var/2-var statistics, linear regression, and cumulative binomial / normal / Poisson probabilities without tables.
使用時機: Statistics questions and hypothesis tests.
步驟
Enter data in the statistics editor, or use the distribution menu (binomial cdf, normal cdf, …).
考試提示: 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.
常見錯誤
1high涉及分數: 2Cell structure
Failing to convert standard units (such as mm or cm) into micrometers before performing cell magnification calculations.
如何避免: Always multiply measurements in millimetres (mm) by 1,000 to convert to micrometers (\(\mu m\)) prior to dividing by magnification or calculating the actual size.
2medium涉及分數: 2Transport across cell membranes
Omitting the active transport of sodium ions out of the cell when explaining co-transport mechanisms.
如何避免: Explicitly state that sodium ions must be actively pumped out of the epithelial cell into the blood to maintain the sodium concentration gradient required for co-transport.
3high涉及分數: 2Investigating diversity
Claiming there is a statistically significant difference between mean values when standard deviation (SD) bars overlap.
如何避免: If standard deviation (or standard error) bars overlap, explicitly state that the difference between the means is not statistically significant and could be due to chance.
4medium涉及分數: 1DNA and protein synthesis
Confusing the direction of degenerate coding by stating that 'one amino acid codes for multiple codons'.
如何避免: State the reverse: the genetic code is degenerate because more than one codon can code for a single, specific amino acid.
5medium涉及分數: 2DNA, genes and chromosomes
Incorrectly stating that DNA polymerase forms hydrogen bonds during replication.
如何避免: State that DNA polymerase catalyses condensation reactions to form covalent phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides. Hydrogen bonds form spontaneously between complementary bases.
6low涉及分數: 3Investigating diversity
Drawing individual cells or cell walls on biological tissue drawings when instructions explicitly state 'Do not draw individual cells'.
如何避免: Only draw the clear outlines of tissue layers or boundaries. Do not sketch, shade, or add cellular details unless explicitly instructed.
7medium涉及分數: 2Investigating diversity
Leaving out unit conversions for area calculations (such as converting \(mm^2\) to \(\mu m^2\)).
如何避免: Remember that area conversions require adjusting for squared dimensions. To convert \(mm^2\) to \(\mu m^2\), multiply by \(1,000,000\) (or \(10^6\)).
8medium涉及分數: 2Cell recognition and the immune system
Losing precision marks in ELISA test questions by not explaining the consequence of unwashed enzyme-linked antibodies.
如何避免: State that failure to wash the wells thoroughly allows unbound enzyme-linked secondary antibodies to remain, which will react with the substrate and cause a false positive result.