A Closer Look on Biology Paper 2 Revision (Edexcel)

According to statistics, biology is among the ten hardest GCSE subjects. The good news is that it’s at the bottom of the list, and with a good revision plan and discipline, getting a high grade is achievable. With these 7 revision tips, you can excel in the GCSE biology exam.

Edexcel GCSE Biology Revision Guidelines

Before you start planning, estimate how much time you can spend on revisions to Biology Paper 2. You should decide on the time by considering your educational targets. If you aim to study biology for higher education, you should spend more time revising for GCSE biology.

1. Start With a Comprehensive and Personalised Plan

This is a complete checklist of topics in GCSE biology paper 2. You should cover all these topics in your revision schedule. You should be able to do this in 120 hours. So, you should not leave the revision to the last weeks leading up to the exam. Ideally, you should start revising for GCSE biology 6 months before the exam season.

You should set daily, weekly, and monthly revision goals to make your plan more manageable and productive. You can download free revision timetables to organise your revision plan and check your progress.

2. Personalise Your Revision Plan

There are no fixed rules regarding biology revision. Do whatever it is that helps you learn best. You should focus on the following factors when personalising your plan:

• In the above checklist, highlight the topics that are challenging for you and allocate more time to these topics in your plan.
• Choose your study materials and resources based on your learning style.
• Are you a morning person or a night owl? Dedicate the time of the day when you’re at your peak to studying more complicated topics.
• Do you learn better at home or in a library? Choose the place where you can concentrate better. Be consistent! Don’t switch places often.

3. Employ Appropriate Revision Techniques and Strategies

If you want to study GCSE revision books for biology, highlight or underline key information and annotate in the margins. If you want to watch biology revision videos, take notes. The point is to play an active role in the revision plan. You can find 7 revision strategies in this short video and decide which one works best for you.

4. Get Help From a Tutor

Tutors can accelerate the pace of your revision plan. They can simplify complex concepts using methods that best match your cognitive style. They can be the perfect company in your revision journey and bring out the best in you by making biology as engaging as it can be and by keeping you motivated.

Ostado’s GCSE tutors have extensive experience in GCSE qualifications, and thanks to years of experience, they can teach you exam techniques and strategies to improve your grades. Book the first session for free now and check the quality of our tutoring service.

5. Practise Past Papers

Past papers can familiarise you with the exam format and mark schemes of the respective exam board.

The best time to practise past papers is when you have proceeded with two-thirds of your revision plan. So, given that you have a six-month plan to revise for the GCSEs, you should start practising past papers in the fourth month.

Of course, it’s quite helpful to review some exam papers at the beginning of your plan to have a better understanding of what and how to revise. In other words, practising past papers at the beginning of your plan helps you weigh and prioritise the topics.

Click to download Edexcel GCSE biology past papers.

6. Use Multiple Resources to Revise for GCSE Biology Paper 2

You should choose your study materials and resources based on how you learn best. However, it maximises the efficacy of your revision if you try to use multiple resources for biology paper 2. It also makes your knowledge base stronger and ultimately improves your grades.

• All-in-one GCSE biology Revision Material (contains videos, slides, notes, flashcards, and past papers).
• ALL OF EDEXCEL GCSE 9-1 BIOLOGY (2024) – Paper 2 (YouTube)
• Edexcel Biology Paper 2 | Revision Playlist for Combined and Triple Science (YouTube)
• Revise – GCSE Biology Revision (Topic-based podcasts)

7. Mind Your Well-Being

You need a healthy mind and body if you are after good grades in the GCSE exam season. Therefore, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle by regulating your sleep and eating nutritious food.

Try to balance your study plan with your personal life. By dedicating enough time to studying and to recreation, you can avoid stress or at least control it. Click on 5 top tips on how to keep calm during exam season for more.

Read more: Combined Science Biology Paper 2 Revision: A Comprehensive Guide
You can find more detailed guidelines on how to revise for GCSE biology in this article.

Key Concepts in GCSE Biology Paper 2

“Key Concepts in Biology” is a common topic between paper 1 and paper 2. However, each one covers different biological systems and processes.

Concepts covered in paper 2 are relatively more complex than paper 1. The questions in paper 2 are about practical skills and experiments, especially the ones that are related to plant biology and ecosystems. Below, you can see key concepts in biology.

• Key Concepts in Biology: Cell Structure, Enzymes, Transport Mechanisms, Genetic Modification
• Plant Structures and Their Functions: Photosynthesis, Transport Systems in Plant Structures, Plant Response.
• Animal Coordination and Control: Nervous system, Endocrine system, Homeostasis
• Exchange and Transport in Animals: Respiratory System, Circulatory System, Digestive System
• Ecosystems and Material Cycles: Ecosystem Dynamics, Nutrient Cycle, Human Impact on Ecosystems, Ecology

Edexcel GCSE Biology Paper 2 Exam Format

The Edexcel GCSE biology exam is taken in two tiers. The Foundation Tier consists of 70 marks, and test takers have 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer the questions. The Higher Tier has a total of 100 marks, and students have 1 hour and 45 minutes to answer the questions. The grading scale for the Foundation Tier is 1 to 5, and in the Higher Tier, it is 4 to 9, meaning that a grade lower than 4 is a fail.

If you only aim for a pass in GCSE biology, and your plans for higher education and career choices don’t depend on this GCSE, you can take the Foundation Tier. On the other hand, if a good grade in biology is crucial to your future educational or career choices, you should take the Higher Tier GCSE biology.

Both Tiers cover all GCSE biology topics but at different depths. Also, there are various question types (multiple choice, short-, and extended-answer questions).