Condensed revision notes for Section 1 Biological Molecules of the AQA A-level Biology specification.
Blurting is one of the best revison techniques for A-level Biology. Students should write down everything they can remember about a particular topic on a scrap piece of paper. Then use their notes to fill in any missed points. However, blurting is only going to be effective if students are using notes with the correct content & key terms to check the information that they’ve written down from memory.
I designed these sheets for my own students to use. They divide the specification into A4 page topics, each of which is the right length to be covered in one ‘blurting’ session.
Download includes 9 pages of notes:
Monomers & polymers, inorganic ions
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Enzymes
Nucleic acids
DNA replication
ATP
Water
If you find these notes useful and would like me to upload similar notes for the other AQA topics, please leave a positive review!
Self-assessment maths and statistics skills booklet aimed at helping those students who do not do A-level Maths/Chemistry/Physics and lack confidence with the maths requirement.
Full mark scheme included (full solutions, not just the final answer).
Contains 63 marks worth of questions involving:
percentage change
graph drawing
dilution calculations
ratios
uncertainties
logarithms
bacterial division calculations
standard form
magnification
rate of reaction
unit conversions
significant figures
chi-squared
Student’s t-test
Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient
Index of diversity
Relevant for all exam boards with the exception of the index of diversity question, which uses the AQA/Edexcel equation as opposed to the slightly different equation used for OCR.
Over 635 revision questions covering the AQA Triple and Combined Sciences Biology specification.
Concise
Includes diagrams
Mapped to the specification
Model answers based on extensive past paper analysis
Clear question & answer format to encourage active learning
Includes 6-mark exam-style required practical method questions, where relevant
Columns to mark each individual question as red, amber or green based on current understanding.
Triple only / higher tier only content is NOT on a grey background to distinguish it, all questions and answers are on a white background to allow students to highlight/add colour should they wish.
Designed to promote spaced repetition of topics throughout the GCSE teaching. Rather than revision notes, which encourage passive learning (because most students just read through them or copy them out), these questions and answers are designed to encourage active learning.
HT tier/Triple only content is marked.
Topics included in download:
Cell biology
Organisation
Infection and response
Bioenergetics
Homeostasis
Inheritance
Ecology
Download also includes required practical revision sheets. There is some overlap in the information in the required practical revision sheets and the Q&As.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
Photosynthesis is a key A-level Biology, which many students find tricky to get to grips with.
Help your students consolidate their knowledge with these three resources.
What is included?
Photosynthesis consolidation / understanding check questions.
Designed for the AQA specification, but relevant to other exam boards.
3 pages / 28 questions (plus 3 synoptic questions).
Full answers included.
Useful for homework / cover work / revision prior to end of topic assessment.
Photosynthesis Consolidation Task Stations: 6 task stations designed as a consolidation/revision lesson for A-level Biology Photosynthesis (with an optional 7th task for AQA)
Task 1: Sort (fill in the gaps and then order the steps of the light-dependent reaction).
Task 2: Describe (6 mark question on the light-independent reaction)
Task 3: State (10 x 1 mark ‘state’ the answer questions)
Task 4: Investigate (4 part question on the DCPIP practical)
Task 5: Calculate (percentage change & ratios)
Task 6: Synoptic (4 part task linking photosynthesis, protein structure & enzymes)
Optional Task 7: Essay (choose 1 essay from a choice of 3 and write a suitable paragraph on photosynthesis that could be included in the chosen essay).
What does this resource include?
PDF containing all 7 tasks
full mark scheme for tasks 1-6 (please note there is no mark scheme included for the essay task)
student answer sheets
Photosynthesis Summary Worksheets
My students love completing these visually appealing worksheets, which break topics down into manageable chunks. Useful as a revision exercise or as a quick assessment.
All worksheets are black and white to allow students to add colour to the diagrams, a process which is thought to aid the formation of visual memories.
Includes 4 worksheets covering:
structure/function of chloroplasts
light dependent reaction
light independent reaction *
limiting factors of photosynthesis
2 different light independent reaction worksheets are included - one with ‘TP’ for AQA/OCR, and the other with ‘GALP’, for those teaching the Edexcel specification.
For each worksheet, differentiated versions are included:
a version containing just the diagram, for more confident students to annotate themselves.
a scaffolded version, with ‘fill in the gap’ structure.
Completed versions of all worksheets are included.
Organise revision with this bubble mindmap template (8 colour choices included: grey, pale pink, yellow, turquoise, red, green, blue & orange).
Conventional mindmaps are not for everyone, they can easily look very messy and students often just write their entire notes in very small writing to fit everything onto one page. The advantage of bubble mindmaps is that there are a limited number of bubbles to fit the key points in, so it really forces students to think about what information is actually the most important.
Useful for all age groups, from KS3 to GCSE and A-level.
Set of 88 flashcards covering practical skills & experimental design. Suitable for all exam boards.
Covers topics such as:
Different types of variable
Accuracy / precision / repeatability etc
Uncertainty
Range / standard deviation
Choice of statistical test
Choice of graph
Practical skills such as scientific drawing rules, eye piece graticule calibration etc
There is some ambiguity when it comes to mark schemes on questions such as accuracy/precision - with different exam boards sometimes having slightly different answers. I have tried to include the most appropriate answer on the flashcards, but if anyone disagrees with any of the answers - please do send me an email at the address below and I will alter the answers accordingly!
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
*For first assessment in 2025.
Concise, mapped to the specification and based on past mark schemes.
Print & assemble and then use to teach yourself the correct marking points for each topic.
Contains 128 flashcards covering Module 4 of the OCR ‘A’ specification (first assessment in 2025).
Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
Biodiversity
Classification & Evolution
Some simpler practical skill questions are covered in the flashcards, but PAGs are generally covered separately in the OCR PAG revision sheet resource, which allows each PAG to be covered in more detail than flashcards would allow.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
500 flashcards covering Modules 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the OCR A-level Biology specification (first assessment 2024).
Concise, mapped to the specification & based on past mark schemes.
Print & assemble or use on a device.
Some simpler practical skill questions are covered in the Module 2, 3 & 4 flashcards, but PAGs are covered separately in greater detail in the OCR PAG revision sheet resource.
Module 1 flashcards cover general practical skills.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
Over 245 revision questions covering the AQA Triple and Combined Sciences Biology specification for Paper 1. Also includes versions with blank answer spaces.
Concise
Includes diagrams
Mapped to the specification
Model answers based on extensive past paper analysis
Clear question & answer format to encourage active learning
Includes 6-mark exam-style required practical method questions, where relevant
Columns to mark each individual question as red, amber or green based on current understanding.
Triple only / higher tier only content is NOT on a grey background to distinguish it, all questions and answers are on a white background to allow students to highlight/add colour should they wish.
Designed to promote spaced repetition of topics throughout the GCSE teaching. Rather than revision notes, which encourage passive learning (because most students just read through them or copy them out), these questions and answers are designed to encourage active learning.
Download includes questions and answers on the following topics:
Cell biology
Organisation
Infection and response
Bioenergetics
Triple and Higher Tier only content is marked, so these questions are suitable for all candidates.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
Over 320 revision questions covering the Paper 2 Topics for AQA Triple and Combined Sciences. Also includes version with blank answer spaces.
Concise
Includes diagrams
Mapped to the specification
Model answers based on extensive past paper analysis
Clear question & answer format to encourage active learning
Includes 6-mark exam-style required practical method questions, where relevant
Columns to mark each individual question as red, amber or green based on current understanding.
Triple only / higher tier only content is NOT on a grey background to distinguish it, all questions and answers are on a white background to allow students to highlight/add colour should they wish.
Designed to promote spaced repetition of topics throughout the GCSE teaching. Rather than revision notes, which encourage passive learning (because most students just read through them or copy them out), these questions and answers are designed to encourage active learning.
Triple and Higher Tier only content is marked, so these questions are suitable for all candidates.
Topics included in download:
The rate and extent of chemical change
Organic chemistry
Chemical analysis
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Using resources
Triple and Higher Tier only content is marked, so these questions are suitable for all candidates.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
60 flashcards to test your knowledge of the AQA GCSE Physics Equations and Units (triple science, higher tier).
Please note, these flashcards only include the equations that students must memorise, the equations given in the exam are NOT included.
Student progress checklist and key word sheet for the Cells and Organisation KS3 topic.
Also included are two quick ideas for diffusion practicals and a generic practical recording sheet for students to complete.
Over 360 revision questions covering the Paper 1 Topics for AQA Triple and Combined Sciences. Also includes versions with blank answer spaces.
Concise
Includes diagrams
Mapped to the specification
Model answers based on extensive past paper analysis
Clear question & answer format to encourage active learning
Includes 6-mark exam-style required practical method questions, where relevant
Columns to mark each individual question as red, amber or green based on current understanding.
Triple only / higher tier only content is NOT on a grey background to distinguish it, all questions and answers are on a white background to allow students to highlight/add colour should they wish.
Designed to promote spaced repetition of topics throughout the GCSE teaching. Rather than revision notes, which encourage passive learning (because most students just read through them or copy them out), these questions and answers are designed to encourage active learning.
Triple and Higher Tier only content is marked, so these questions are suitable for all candidates.
Topics included in download:
Atomic structure and the periodic table
Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
Quantitative chemistry (with worked examples)
Chemical changes
Energy changes
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
4 worksheets ideal for Year 7 homeworks (each worksheet should take roughly 20-30 minutes to complete).
Suitable for use in cover lessons as full answers are included for non-specialist teachers (full answers included with the exception of the research a specialised cell worksheet)
Research a specialised cell
6 mark compare question on palisade leaf cells and root hair cells.
Diffusion worksheet primarily focussed on drawing a graph.
Quick assessment worksheet (21 marks total)
Turn any worksheet, for any age group (primary or secondary) & any subject, into a fun team game,
Perfect for a revision/consolidation lesson or a fun end-of-term activity.
Includes instructions for:
Capture the flag
100 Square
Four in a row
Includes printable resources (coloured & black and white versions) that can be laminated for multiple uses (although all games can be played without printing).
Meiosis summary worksheets for AS / A-level Biology (process has been simplified to include only two pairs of homologous chromosomes):
Students can cut out each worksheet around the dotted edge and glue/tape the sheets together to produce a large summary sheet covering the entire process of meiosis.
PDF includes two versions:
3 page version which includes details on individual stages of Meiosis I and II.
2 page version (more suitable for AQA) that provides an overview of Meiosis I and II and does not go into details regarding the individual stages.
I have included diagrams representing the chromosomal content of cells during interphase (both prior to, and after DNA replication). I have drawn the chromosomes in interphase in the same way as the chromosomes during the meiosis (even though in interphase, the chromosomes have not yet condensed), this is just so students can clearly see what is happening to the number of chromosome.
Both versions are designed for students to colour the chromosomes to represent maternal and paternal chromosomes (and also the results of crossing-over).
Versions with completed text are included, if you are short of time and would like to provide the sheets as handouts instead. However, please note, students would still need to colour the chromosomes to represent the maternal/paternal chromosomes and the outcome of crossing-over.
An example of completed colouring is included on the last page of the PDF.
Exam style question worksheet:
36 marks of exam-style questions covering the A-level Biology topic of meiosis.
Written for the AQA specification, but the majority of the questions are relevant to all exam boards. Non-disjunction has intentionally been set as the last question, allowing it to be easily removed for those exam boards which don’t include this sub-topic.
Questions have been designed with the intention of covering as many permutations as possible with regards to meiosis exam questions, but without repetition.
Useful as a homework / self-assessment / revision task before an end-of-topic test.
Includes full mark scheme.
Suitable for Triple or Combined Science & suitable for all exam boards.
Set of 72 flashcards covering practical skills & experimental design.
Covers topics such as:
Different types of variable
Accuracy / precision / repeatability etc
Uncertainty
Range
Choice of graph
Different averages
Importance of peer review
Basic practical skills such as scientific drawing rules, aseptic technique etc.
*For first assessment in 2025.
Concise, mapped to the specification and based on past mark schemes.
Print & assemble and then use to teach yourself the correct marking points for each topic.
Contains 116 flashcards covering Module 3 of the OCR ‘A’ specification (first assessment in 2025).
Exchange and transport
Transport in Animals
Transport in Plants
Some simpler practical skill questions are covered in the flashcards, but PAGs are generally covered separately in the OCR PAG revision sheet resource, which allows each PAG to be covered in more detail than flashcards would allow.
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.
*For first assessment in 2025.
Concise, mapped to the specification and based on past mark schemes.
Print & assemble and then use to teach yourself the correct marking points for each topic.
Contains 252 flashcards covering Module 2 of the OCR ‘A’ specification (first assessment in 2025).
Cell structure
Biological molecules
Nucleotides & nucleic acids
Enzymes
Biological membranes
Cell division, cell diversity & cellular organisation
Some simpler practical skill questions are covered in the flashcards, but PAGs are generally covered separately in the OCR PAG revision sheet resource, which allows each PAG to be covered in more detail than flashcards would allow.
**These flashcards can also be purchased as part of the Ultimate OCR A-level Biology Revision Bundle, which includes:
Module 1-6 Flashcards
PAG revision sheets
Year 13 spaced repetition timetable
Printable blank weekly revision timetable**
Please note that I can accept no responsibility for your final exam grade should you choose to use these revision resources. These resources are intended to help students actively revise, but students should be aware that a high proportion of the marks in your exams are AO2 and AO3 marks and students should therefore use a variety of resources and techniques in preparation for all of the question styles that will be encountered in the exam. Whilst these resources have been written with past mark schemes in mind, there is no guarantee that future mark schemes will be the same.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this resource, but I am only human, so if you spot an error, please email teachsecondaryscience@gmail.com and the resource will be updated ASAP.