Higher Human Biology: the 2027 exam, 2026 grade boundaries and practice

The Higher Human Biology exam in 2027

The exam counts for 80% and the assignment for 20%. Until 2026 there were two question papers, and Qualifications Scotland replaced them with one, according to the 2026 course report. The new format is in the course specification, version 5.0, valid from session 2026 to 2027. The assignment is a report on an experiment you carry out, and it is marked externally.

Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology are in the same slot on the 2027 timetable, so you cannot sit both (Exam Timetable 2027, version 02).

What Higher Human Biology covers

• Human cells. Division and differentiation, DNA structure and replication, gene expression, mutations, human genomics, metabolic pathways, cellular respiration and energy systems in muscle cells.
• Physiology and health. Gamete production and fertilisation, hormonal control of reproduction, controlling fertility, antenatal and postnatal screening, blood vessels, the heart, cardiovascular disease, blood glucose and obesity.
• Neurobiology and immunology. The nervous system and neural pathways, the cerebral cortex, memory, neurons and synapses, non-specific and specific defences, immunisation and clinical trials.

Higher Biology covers the cell biology and the genetics and metabolism, such as gene expression, mutations, metabolic pathways and respiration. Human Biology shares that ground and adds reproduction, the cardiovascular system, the brain and the immune system. Our Higher Biology guide covers the other course.

Higher Human Biology grade boundaries

In 2026, on the old format with two papers and the assignment scaled to 30 marks, an A needed 105, a B 90, a C 75 and a D 60. Of 7,399 candidates, 30.3% got an A (course report 2026). The 2027 course is out of 125, so those numbers will not carry over. As a guide, Qualifications Scotland aims for a C at about 50% and an A at about 70% (how National Courses are graded).

Higher Human Biology practice questions

Every question below is our own. They use the calculations the course asks for.

1. Cardiac output

A resting heart beats 75 times a minute and each beat pumps 80 cm³ of blood. Cardiac output is heart rate × stroke volume, so 75 × 80 = 6,000 cm³ a minute, or 6.0 litres. Check it in the Cardiac Output Calculator.

2. PCR

Each cycle of PCR doubles the number of DNA molecules. Starting with 4 molecules, after 6 cycles there are 4 × 2⁶ = 4 × 64 = 256.

3. Body mass index

BMI is mass in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. For 82 kg and 1.75 m, BMI = 82 ÷ 1.75² = 26.8 kg/m².

4. Percentage

18 of the 240 deaths in a study were from pneumonia. As a percentage, 18 ÷ 240 × 100 = 7.5%. Say what the total is when you quote it.

Where candidates lose marks

From the 2026 course report:

• Pyruvate dehydrogenase. Many did not say that it removes hydrogen ions and electrons.
• Oxaloacetate. Most identified it, but few said it combines with acetyl, and a common mistake was to say it binds to acetyl coenzyme A.
• HDL. Many left out that it carries cholesterol to the liver for elimination.
• The SAN. A common error was to name the right atrium, ignoring the stem that said it brings about atrial systole.
• Antigens. A common mistake was to answer dead antigens.
• Defences. Some said T lymphocytes act on pathogens rather than on infected cells.

Use a daily paper as a short timed prelim

Many schools set a Higher prelim in winter: see our prelims guide. Uni-Sine publishes a free daily paper for Higher Biology, which shares the cell, genetics and respiration content with Human Biology. It does not cover the reproduction, cardiovascular and neurobiology content that is specific to Human Biology. It is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full SQA paper and not written by SQA.

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. Sit the paper as a timed mock, mark it, and the worked answers show where the marks were. We do not publish official or past paper answers.

Read next

Scotland · HigherHigher Human Biology grade boundaries 2025: A, B, C, DHigher Human Biology grade boundaries 2025 from the SQA: A needed 104 of 150, B 87, C 71 and D 54, with 26.2% getting an A, and 2024 and 2019 compared.