Updated sample assessment material for A Level Biology A
16 February 2026
As part of our accessibility principles and to reflect our live assessment materials, we've updated our A Level Biology A sample assessment materials for the following components:
Throughout the sample question papers, we've made the following changes:
- improved accessibility – clearer language and diagram and table layouts, updated fonts, removal of unnecessary detail from question stems and removal of unnecessary images and diagrams.
- repositioned multiple-choice questions (MCQs) – answer options are now listed alphabetically
- simplified labels and diagrams – straightened text and improved clarity
- updated content – Specific questions across the sample assessment materials have been revised to better support student understanding and assessment
We've provided details of the specific question revisions below:
A Level Biology A – H420/01: Biological processes
- Q11: MCQ redrafted to improve accessibility and readability
- Q14 and Q15: MCQs requiring students to choose correct statements replaced with standard MCQs
- Q17(a): redrafted to better reflect accessibility principles and our approach to rewarding answers
- Q17(b): rewritten, with the question stem redrafted to reflect expectations of student knowledge of the ornithine cycle
- Q17(b)(iv): replaced to assess updated specification
- Q18(b)(ii): redrafted to better reflect accessibility principles and our approach to rewarding answers
- Q20(a)(ii): replaced to assess updated specification
A Level Biology A – H420/02: Biological diversity
- Q4: MCQ replaced to assess updated specification
- Q11, Q14 and Q15: MCQs rewritten to improve accessibility
- Q14 and Q15: MCQs requiring students to choose correct statements replaced with standard MCQs
A Level Biology A – H420/03: Unified biology
- Q5: insert removed – Fig 5.1 and Fig 5.2 inserted into the question paper
- Q2(c)(ii): now worth 4 marks, in line with updated assessment criteria
- Q3(a)(i): now worth 3 marks, in line with updated assessment criteria
You can view and download the sample question papers from:
- the Assessment > Sample assessment materials section of the A Level Biology A qualification page on our website.
- the Assessment > Exams > Sample assessment materials section of Teach Cambridge.
Please use the updated sample assessment materials (version 3.0) when preparing your students.
Note: we've also updated the sample mark schemes to reflect the sample questions paper updates and our approach to marking live papers.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email science@ocr.org.uk.
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