Edexcel A-level Biology (9BN0 and 9BI0): papers, topics and grade boundaries
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Edexcel A-level Biology: two specifications
Pearson Edexcel offers two different A level Biology specifications, and your school teaches one. Ask which, because the topics, papers and boundaries are different.
| Biology A (Salters-Nuffield), 9BN0 | Biology B, 9BI0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | The Natural Environment and Species Survival: 2 hours, 100 marks, 33.33% | Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics: 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks, 30% |
| Paper 2 | Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination: 2 hours, 100 marks, 33.33% | Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology: 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks, 30% |
| Paper 3 | General and Practical Applications in Biology: 2 hours, 100 marks, 33.33% | General and Practical Principles in Biology: 2 hours 30 minutes, 120 marks, 40% |
| Core practicals | 18 | 16 |
| Topics | 8 | 10 |
Both are assessed by three papers plus the Science Practical Endorsement, all in May/June of a single year. Papers can include multiple-choice, short open, open-response and calculation questions, and at least 10% of the marks are for mathematics at Level 2 or above.
Which topics are on which paper
Biology A (9BN0)
- Paper 1: topics 1 to 6: Lifestyle, health and risk; Genes and health; Voice of the genome; Biodiversity and natural resources; On the wild side; Immunity, infection and forensics.
- Paper 2: topics 1 to 4 plus 7 Run for your life and 8 Grey matter.
- Paper 3: questions from all eight topics. A pre-released scientific article underpins one section.
Biology B (9BI0)
- Paper 1: biological molecules; cells, viruses and reproduction of living things; classification and biodiversity; exchange and transport; energy for biological processes; microbiology and pathogens; modern genetics (topics 1 to 7).
- Paper 2: topics 1 to 4 plus origins of genetic variation, control systems and ecosystems (topics 8 to 10).
- Paper 3: questions from topics 1 to 10, including synoptic questions.
Worked examples in Edexcel style
Biodiversity: Simpson's index of diversity
A sample has 20, 15, 10 and 5 individuals of four species, so N = 50. Simpson's index of diversity is:
A value near 1 means high diversity. Compare two habitats by the same method.
Enzymes and temperature: Q₁₀
A reaction rate is 5.0 units at 20 °C and 12 units at 30 °C. The temperature coefficient is the ratio of the rates 10 °C apart:
Practise cardiac output in our Human Physiology course, then press Mark to check your answer in the course:
Type the cardiac output, heart rate or stroke volume, with random values.
Press Mark to have your answer marked in the Human Physiology course.
Edexcel A-level Biology grade boundaries
These are Pearson's overall A level boundaries from its document "Grade boundaries: Edexcel GCE AS/A Level, June 2026". Each figure is the minimum mark, out of 300, at which a grade can be achieved.
| June 2026 | A* | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology A 9BN0, out of 300 | 220 | 196 | 170 | 144 | 119 | 94 |
| Biology B 9BI0, out of 300 | 218 | 189 | 160 | 131 | 102 | 73 |
How Edexcel A-level Biology differs from AQA
AQA A-level Biology (7402) has three 2-hour papers of 91, 91 and 78 marks, with a 25-mark essay in Paper 3 and 12 required practicals. Edexcel has no essay, and its Biology A Paper 3 is built on a pre-released scientific article. See theAQA A-level Biology guide.
Use the daily paper as a short timed mock
Uni-Sine publishes a free daily paper on theA-level Biology: Paper 1andA-level Biology: Paper 2tracks. Each is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full Edexcel paper, and it is not written by Pearson. They cover biological molecules, cells, transport, DNA, immunity, respiration, photosynthesis, ecosystems, inheritance, homeostasis and gene technology.
Common mistakes in Edexcel A-level Biology
- Revising the wrong specification. Biology A and B have different topics.
- Not using the data in the article or graph questions.
Exam answers
The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. We do not publish official or past paper answers. Every question on the daily paper is our own.
Common questions
What are the Edexcel A-level Biology codes?
How many papers is Edexcel A-level Biology?
How many core practicals are there?
What were the Edexcel A-level Biology grade boundaries in June 2026?
Revision cards
Say the answer first, then flip the card to check it.
Where to go next
- Solve it
Population Growth Simulator
Model exponential and logistic growth with a carrying capacity
Open the tool - Learn it
Human Physiology
How your body systems work together: circulation, respiration, nerves and more
Start the course - Test it
A-level Biology: Year 1
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UK · A-levelEdexcel A-level Biology grade boundaries 2026: A and BEdexcel A-level Biology June 2026 boundaries: Biology A A* 220, Biology B A* 218 out of 300, with 2025 and 2024 alongside.