A-Level Biology & Chemistry Fast Track Courses – AQA

A Level Biology – 8 Units

• Topic 1: Biological molecules
• Topic 2: Cells
• Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
• Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
• Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
• Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
• Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
• Topic 8: The control of gene expressions

A Level Chemistry – 3 Units

Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

The AQA A-Level Biology exam is available in May/June each year. It is assessed over 3 exam papers:

• Paper 1 7402/1 – 2 hour exam
• Paper 2 7402/2 – 2 hour exam
• Paper 3 7402/3 – 2 hour exam

The AQA A-Level Chemistry exam is available in May/June each year. It is assessed over 3 exam papers:

• Paper 1 7405/1 – 2 hour exam
• Paper 2 7405/2 – 2 hour exam
• Paper 3 7405/3 – 2 hour exam

Optional practical assessment – It is possible for students to receive both qualifications without completing the practical assessment. Your certificate will state you have not completed this and can harm your chances of gaining a place at university or getting a job.

Practical Assessment

Your A Level Biology grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A Level you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

1. Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
2. Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
3. Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
4. Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
5. Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
6. Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
7. Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
8. Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
9. Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
10. Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
11. Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
12. Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

Your A Level Chemistry grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A Level you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 6 practical skills. These are listed below:

• Make up a volumetric solution and carry out a simple acid–base titration
• Measurement of an enthalpy change
• Investigation of how the rate of a reaction changes with temperature
• Carry out simple test-tube reactions to identify: cations – Group 2, NH4+ anions – Group 7 (halide ions), OH–, CO3 2–, SO4 2–
• Distillation of a product from a reaction
• Tests for alcohol, aldehyde, alkene and carboxylic acid