Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology (9700)
Study biological systems, mechanisms and evidence, combining conceptual understanding with practical investigation.
2025–2027 examinations
Course structure and assessment routes
- AS: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers, either together or by completing Papers 4 and 5 after an eligible AS result.
- AS covers topics 1–11; A Level includes AS plus topics 12–19. Practical skills are required at both levels.
Main syllabus content
- AS: cells, molecules, enzymes, membranes and cell division
- AS: nucleic acids, transport, gas exchange, disease and immunity
- A Level: respiration, photosynthesis, homeostasis and coordination
- A Level: inheritance, evolution, biodiversity, conservation and genetic technology
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
9700 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
Paper 1
Multiple Choice
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 31% AS / 15.5% A Level
Paper 2
AS Level Structured Questions
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 46% AS / 23% A Level
Paper 3
Advanced Practical Skills
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 23% AS / 11.5% A Level
Paper 4
A Level Structured Questions
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 100
- Weighting
- 38.5% A Level
Paper 5
Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
- Duration
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Marks
- 30
- Weighting
- 11.5% A Level
Key assessment information
- All papers are externally assessed. Paper 3 includes practical work; Paper 5 is a written assessment of practical reasoning. AS grades a–e; A Level A*–E. Carry-forward is subject to Cambridge’s rules and time limits.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official 9700 syllabus/specification (PDF). 2025–2027 examinations.
Source PDF pages: 9, 10, 11. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.