Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0): papers, topics and grade boundaries

Edexcel GCSE Biology papers at a glance

The specification is the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology (issue 4, March 2024). Biology here is split into a first paper on how organisms are built and inherited, and a second on how they function and live together. You sit both at one tier in one May/June series, and the question mix includes multiple choice, calculations and extended open-response items. Topic 1, key concepts in biology, is the shared base for both.

What each Edexcel GCSE Biology paper covers

Paper 1 is cells and control, genetics, natural selection and genetic modification, and health, disease and the development of medicines. Paper 2 is plants, animal coordination and homeostasis, exchange and transport in animals, and ecosystems and cycles. The split is different from AQA, where Paper 1 includes bioenergetics and plant organisation. Edexcel lists eight mandatory core practicals, assessed through the written papers.

Worked examples in Edexcel style

Cells: magnification

A cell is 80 μm long and its image is drawn 4.0 cm long. Convert to the same unit, then divide the image by the real size:

The magnification is ×500. Write the × and the number.

The heart: cardiac output

A resting heart pumps 70 cm³ of blood per beat at 72 beats per minute. Multiply stroke volume by heart rate to get the cardiac output:

Check it in the Cardiac Output Calculator.

Genetics: a test cross

A heterozygous tall plant (Tt) is crossed with a short plant (tt). The gametes are T or t from one parent and t from the other, so the offspring are Tt and tt in equal numbers:

Practise the odds in our Genetics and DNA course, then press Mark to check your answer in the course:

Edexcel GCSE Biology grade boundaries

Biology boundaries below are raw marks out of 200 from Pearson's June 2026 GCSE (9-1) document.

Higher grade 4 sat at 84 and grade 9 at 170, a high bar. Foundation grade 5 was 132, and grade 1 was 22.

How Edexcel GCSE Biology differs from AQA

AQA GCSE Biology (8461) matches the timing but has ten required practicals and puts bioenergetics in Paper 1 and ecology in Paper 2, while Edexcel has eight core practicals and includes key concepts on both papers. See theAQA GCSE Biology guideto compare.

Use the daily paper as a short timed mock

Try theGCSE Biology HigherorGCSE Biology Foundationdaily paper as a quick mock. It has 8 questions and 25 to 35 marks, was not written by Pearson, and stretches across enzymes, circulation, genetics, evolution, hormones and ecology.

Common mistakes in Edexcel GCSE Biology

• Unit mismatches in magnification. Convert both sizes first.
• Using "cell" and "organ" loosely. Name the right level of organisation.
• Not describing the trend then explaining it in 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.

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UK · GCSEEdexcel GCSE Biology grade boundaries 2026: every gradeEdexcel GCSE Biology June 2026 boundaries: Higher grade 4 was 84, grade 7 147, grade 9 170 out of 200, with 2025 and 2024 alongside.