Pearson EdexcelInternational Advanced Level332 resources
Pearson Edexcel IAL Biology Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Download free Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. 6 units from molecules to ecosystems. 324 resources.
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January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 4 (6BI04) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 1 (6BI01) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 5 (6BI05) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 2 (6BI02) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 4 (6BI04) – January 2013
Examiner Report
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 5 (6BI05) – January 2013
Examiner Report
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 4 (6BI04) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 2 (6BI02) – January 2013
Examiner Report
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 1 (6BI01) – January 2013
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 5 (6BI05) – January 2013
Question Paper
June 2011
12 files📊
A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 3 (6BI03) – June 2011
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 6 (6BI06) – June 2011
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 1 (6BI01) – June 2011
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 1 (6BI01) – June 2011
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 2 (6BI02) – June 2011
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 5 (6BI05) – June 2011
Mark Scheme
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 5 (6BI05) – June 2011
Question Paper
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 1 (6BI01) – June 2011
Question Paper
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A-Level Biology – Mark scheme – Unit 4 (6BI04) – June 2011
Mark Scheme
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 4 (6BI04) – June 2011
Question Paper
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A-Level Biology – Examiner report – Unit 5 (6BI05) – June 2011
Examiner Report
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A-Level Biology – Question paper – Unit 2 (6BI02) – June 2011
Question Paper
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From Biological Molecules to Ecosystems: Six Modular Units Spanning the Life Sciences
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology is structured across six modular units that build systematically from molecular and cellular biology through whole-organism physiology to ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology. Spanning 324 resources across both the current IAL specification (WBI11–WBI16) and legacy GCE papers (6BI01–6BI08), this collection provides thorough coverage of all six units.
Unit 1 (WBI11): Molecules, Diet, Transport, and Health introduces biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), enzyme kinetics (including Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk), cardiovascular biology, gas exchange, and the relationship between diet, disease, and lifestyle. Unit 2 (WBI12): Genes and Health covers DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), gene expression, genetic diseases, and genetic engineering techniques including PCR, gel electrophoresis, and recombinant DNA technology.
Unit 3 (WBI13): Voice of the Genome and Unit 4 (WBI14): Biodiversity and Natural Resources extend into developmental biology (stem cells, cell differentiation, and gene regulation during development), biodiversity measurement (Simpson's Index, species richness), taxonomy (three-domain classification), conservation biology, and the sustainable use of biological resources including plant fibres, medicines from natural products, and biofuels.
Unit 5 (WBI15): Energy, Exercise, and Coordination covers cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation), photosynthesis (light-dependent and light-independent reactions), homeostasis, the nervous system (nerve impulse transmission, synapses), muscle contraction (sliding filament theory), and hormonal coordination. Unit 6 (WBI16): Practical Biology and Research Skills is the synoptic unit, drawing on all previous content with an emphasis on experimental design, data analysis, and evaluation of biological research.
Each unit paper is 90 minutes (Units 1–5) or 85 minutes (Unit 6), and the modular structure allows students to build knowledge incrementally across examination sessions.
Exam Paper Structure
Unit 1Calculator ✓
Molecules, Diet, Transport, and Health
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 20% of grade
Biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins)Enzyme kinetics and inhibitionCell membranes and transportCardiovascular system and gas exchangeDiet, health, and disease
Unit 2Calculator ✓
Genes and Health
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 20% of grade
DNA structure, replication, and protein synthesisCell division (mitosis and meiosis)Genetic inheritance and genetic diseasesGene technology (PCR, electrophoresis, genetic engineering)
Unit 3Calculator ✓
Voice of the Genome
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 15% of grade
Cell differentiation and stem cellsGene regulation during developmentImmunity and the immune responseForensic biology techniques
Unit 4Calculator ✓
Biodiversity and Natural Resources
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 15% of grade
Biodiversity measurement (Simpson's Index)Classification and taxonomy (three-domain system)Conservation biology and sustainabilityPlant biology and natural resource use
Unit 5Calculator ✓
Energy, Exercise, and Coordination
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 80 marks📊 20% of grade
Cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs, oxidative phosphorylation)Photosynthesis (light-dependent and Calvin cycle)Homeostasis and thermoregulationNervous system and muscle contraction
Unit 6Calculator ✓
Practical Biology and Research Skills
⏱ 1 hour 25 minutes🎯 50 marks📊 10% of grade
Synoptic questions drawing on all unitsExperimental design and methodologyStatistical analysis and data interpretationEvaluation of biological research
Key Information
| Exam Board | Pearson Edexcel |
| Specification Code | YBI11 (IAS), YBI12 (IAL) |
| Qualification | International Advanced Level |
| Grading Scale | A*–E (IAL), A–E (IAS) |
| Assessment Type | Modular — 6 unit examinations |
| Unit 1 | WBI11 — Molecules, Diet, Transport, and Health (90 min, 80 marks) |
| Unit 2 | WBI12 — Genes and Health (90 min, 80 marks) |
| Unit 3 | WBI13 — Voice of the Genome (90 min, 80 marks) |
| Unit 4 | WBI14 — Biodiversity and Natural Resources (90 min, 80 marks) |
| Unit 5 | WBI15 — Energy, Exercise, and Coordination (90 min, 80 marks) |
| Unit 6 | WBI16 — Practical Biology and Research Skills (85 min, 50 marks) |
| Calculator | Calculator allowed in all units |
| Exam Sessions | January and June |
| Total Resources | 324 |
Key Topics in Biology
Topics you need to know
Biological molecules and enzyme kineticsDNA, gene expression, and genetic engineeringCell biology (division, differentiation, stem cells)Biodiversity, classification, and conservationCellular respiration and photosynthesisNervous system, synapses, and muscle contractionHomeostasis and hormonal coordinationExperimental design and statistical analysis
Exam Command Words
| Command word | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| Describe | Give an accurate, detailed account of the structure, process, or pattern — include specific biological terms and sequential steps where relevant |
| Explain | Give biological reasons for a phenomenon, linking cause to effect — why does this happen, not just what happens |
| Suggest | Apply biological knowledge to an unfamiliar context — there may be more than one valid answer, but it must be biologically plausible |
| Calculate | Perform a mathematical operation (percentage change, magnification, Simpson's Index) — show working and include appropriate units |
| Evaluate | Review evidence or experimental methodology, considering strengths, limitations, and reliability of conclusions |
| Compare | Identify similarities AND differences between biological structures, processes, or organisms — use comparative language ('whereas', 'both', 'unlike') |
| Outline | Provide the key steps or features without full detail — a concise summary of a process or structure |
| State | Give a brief, precise answer — no explanation or elaboration is required |
Typical Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Approximate mark needed |
|---|---|
| A* | 90% UMS overall + 90% on A2 units |
| A | 80% UMS overall |
| B | 70% UMS overall |
| C | 60% UMS overall |
| D | 50% UMS overall |
| E | 40% UMS overall |
⚠️ IAL Biology grades are determined by total UMS across six units. Raw-to-UMS conversion for each unit varies by session and is published by Pearson.
Diagrams, Data Handling, and the Six-Mark Extended Response: IAL Biology Technique
IAL Biology places significant emphasis on biological diagrams — and mark schemes are unforgiving about accuracy. When drawing organelles, ensure proportions are correct (mitochondria should be smaller than the nucleus), membranes are shown as double lines where appropriate (nuclear envelope, mitochondria), and labels point precisely to the structure named, not to the space beside it. For photosynthesis and respiration diagrams, include the specific locations (thylakoid membrane, stroma, mitochondrial matrix, inner mitochondrial membrane) and name key molecules at each stage.
Data handling questions account for a substantial proportion of marks across all units. Practise interpreting unfamiliar graphs, calculating percentage change, drawing tangents to curves for rate calculations, using statistical tests (chi-squared, t-test, Spearman's rank correlation), and explaining anomalous results. The most common error is failing to refer to specific data values in your answer — always quote figures from the graph or table to support your conclusions.
For extended response questions (typically 6 marks), structure your answer with a logical flow rather than writing disconnected bullet points. Start with the most fundamental point and build upward. For example, a question on natural selection should progress: genetic variation exists within a population → environmental selection pressure → individuals with advantageous alleles are more likely to survive and reproduce → advantageous alleles increase in frequency → over many generations the population evolves. Each step should connect causally to the next.
Unit 6 is synoptic and requires you to link concepts across all five previous units. Practise making cross-unit connections: how does protein structure (Unit 1) relate to enzyme specificity and gene mutations (Unit 2)? How does membrane transport (Unit 1) underpin nerve impulse transmission (Unit 5)? These connections distinguish high-scoring candidates from those who treat each unit in isolation.
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