Cells, organisms, ecosystems and required practicals, taught for the exam.
Boards vary by tutor. Each tutor profile lists the boards they teach.
Biology is the study of living things, from single cells to whole ecosystems. Students learn how cells work, how the human body keeps itself stable, how characteristics are inherited, how organisms evolve, and how living things depend on their environment. Alongside the content, students build the practical and data skills the papers test: describing methods, handling results and explaining what the evidence actually shows.
Every link below goes to the awarding body's own specification page, so you can check the content the student is being examined on.
A two year course taken in Years 10 and 11, either as GCSE Biology or as the biology content of Combined Science, assessed by written papers that include questions on the required practicals.
GCSE Biology
Spec 8461Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
Entry is at Foundation or Higher tier. There is no optional content: all topics are compulsory.
AQA official specificationopens in a new tabGCSE (9-1) Biology, part of the Edexcel Sciences suite
Spec 1BI0Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
Assessed by two written papers, with core practicals examined within them.
Pearson Edexcel official specificationopens in a new tabGCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Biology A
Spec J247Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
OCR offers two GCSE biology routes. Gateway A is the concept-led course; Twenty First Century B is the context-led course.
OCR official specificationopens in a new tabGCSE (9-1) Twenty First Century Science Biology B
Spec J257Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
The context-led alternative to Gateway A. Check with the school which OCR route is being taught.
OCR official specificationopens in a new tabEduqas GCSE (9-1) Biology
Spec C400QSCore content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
Eduqas is the England-facing brand of WJEC. Students in Wales usually take the WJEC version of the same subject.
WJEC/Eduqas official specificationopens in a new tabThe international equivalent of GCSE Biology, taken in international and independent schools and assessed entirely by written papers.
International GCSE (9-1) Biology
Spec 4BI1Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
Two written papers. There is no coursework, and practical skills are assessed in the papers.
Pearson Edexcel official specificationopens in a new tabCambridge IGCSE Biology
Spec 0610Core content
Optional content
None. All content is compulsory.
Core or Extended curriculum, plus a choice of practical test or alternative to practical paper.
Cambridge International official specificationopens in a new tabExam providers (also called awarding bodies or exam boards) set the specification a student is examined on.
Lessons are online, one to one or in a small group, scheduled around the student. Every tutor is a subject specialist who teaches the specification the student is sitting.