Distance Learning Support

As a valued student of Start Learning you will have the facility to use our personal tutor service.  At Start Learning we have a friendly team of highly qualified and experienced tutors.  A tutor will be allocated to our student for 18 months, starting from when study materials are received.  The tutors are contacted via email and are responsible for marking assignments and guiding you through the course to ensure you are ready for your examinations.

Home Study Entry Requirements

Basic English reading and writing skills are required. We recommend you have general skills and knowledge associated with a GCSE course or equivalent.

At Start Learning we believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further.  Therefore we do not have strict entry requirements; we take factors such as, experience, enthusiasm, self motivation etc into consideration.  Students will be given plenty of resources to help them overcome obstacles.  Start Learning tutors will also aid our students and answer queries.      

Recommended Hours of Study

It is recommended that 200 hours of your time should be allocated towards study for the AS and A2 examinations.

Distance Learning Course Contents

A Level Biology consists of AS Level and A2 Level

AS Level
Unit 1 - BIOL1 – Biology and Disease
• Disease caused by infectious pathogens
• Digestive system
• Passage of substances across exchange surfaces
• Lung function
• Functioning of the heart
• Blood defensive functions

Unit 2 – BIOL2 – The variety of living organisms
• Genetic and environmental factors
• Sequence of DNA
• Similarities and differences in DNA
• Cellular organisation
• Genetically copied information
• Multicellular organisms, tissues, organs and systems
• Size and metabolic rate
• Classification
• Evolution
• Biodiversity

Unit 3 – BIO3T or BIO3X – Investigate and practical skills in AS Biology
• Investigating biological problems
• Implementing, working methodically and safely.
• Plot graphs, illustrate patterns and trends
• Limitations identified

A2 Level
Unit 4 – BIOL4 – Populations and environment
• Factors affecting the dynamic equilibrium of populations
• Energy for biological processes
• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Efficiency of transfer
• Microorganisms
• Genetic variation

Unit 5 – BIOL5 – Further Aspects of Management Accounting
• Chemical or electrical coordination
• Skeletal muscles
• Homeostasis
• Negative and positive feedback
• Sequence of bases in DNA
• Gene expression and Gene cloning technologies

Unit 6 – BIO6T or BIO6X – Investigate and practical skills in A2 Biology
• Investigating biological problems
• Implementing, working methodically and safely.
• Plot graphs, illustrate patterns and trends
• Limitations identified

AS Level + A2 Level = A Level in Biology

Recommended Reading

AS Biology for AQA, author; Michael Kent, publisher; Oxford University Press,
ISBN:978-0-19-915267-4

AQA AS Biology, author; Glenn Toole and Susan Toole, publisher; Nelson Thornes,
ISBN:978-0-7487-8275-8

Qualification

AS +A2 = A level in Biology.
Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Language of Examination

English

Examination Centre
Start Learning will provide you with a list of examination centres. 

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre.

Please email for a list of centres and we will provide you with a link or a PDF for you to contact centres directly.

Summary of Examinations

AS Level
Unit 1 - BIOL1 – Biology and Disease
Percentage: 33.3% of the total AS marks, 16.7% of the total A Level marks
Examination Time: 1 hour 15 minutes examination paper
Total Marks: 60 raw marks
Format: 5 – 7 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions

Unit 2 – BIOL2 – The variety of living organisms
Percentage: 46.7% of the total AS marks, 23.3% of the total A Level marks
Examination time: 1 hour 45 minutes examination paper
Total Marks: 85 raw marks
Format: 7 – 9 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions

Unit 3 – BIO3T or BIO3X – Investigate and practical skills in AS Biology
Percentage: 20 % of total AS marks, 10% of total A Level marks

Either:  BIO3T
• Centre Marked Route T, 50 raw marks
• Practical Skills Assessment, 6 raw marks
• Investigate Skills Assessment, 44 raw marks

Or, BIO3X
• Externally Marked Route X, 50 raw marks
• Practical Skill Verification, teacher verification
• Externally Marked Practical Assignment, 50 raw marks

A2 Level
Unit 4 – BIOL4 – Populations and environment
Percentage: 16.7 % of the total A Level marks
Examination Time: 1 hour 30 minutes examination paper
Total Marks: 75 raw marks
Format: 6 – 9 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions involving continuous prose and How Science Works

Unit 5 – BIOL5 – Further Aspects of Management Accounting
Percentage: 23.3% of the total A Level marks
Examination Time: 2 hours 15 minutes examination paper
Total Marks: 100 raw marks
Format: 8 – 10 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions

Unit 6 – BIO6T or BIO6X – Investigate and practical skills in A2 Biology
Percentage: 10% of the total A Level marks

Either, BIO6T
• Centre Marked Route T, 50 marks
• Practical Skills Assessment, 6 raw marks
• Investigative Skills Assessment, 44 marks

Or, BIO6X
• Externally Marked Route X, 50 raw marks
• Practical Skills Verification, teacher verification
• Externally Marked Practical Assignment, 50 raw marks

Qualification
AS +A2 = A level in Biology.  Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.