How to Get an A or A* in A-Level Biology

Securing an A or A* in A-Level Biology is challenging, but our tips will give you the upper hand in your exams. Biology is packed with detailed content, from cell structure to genetics, and the exams not only test memory but also challenge your ability to apply knowledge and spot links between topics. In our experience, successful students lean into active learning techniques over passive revision.

This guide breaks down how to get there. We’ll show you how to revise actively, make the most out of past papers and mark schemes, and build an effective revision timetable. We’ll also cover the best learning resources that’ll completely change the way you study.

If you’re aiming for a top grade, don’t wait until revision panic sets in. The earlier you start, the better your chances — and that’s where Spires comes in. Our expert Biology Tutors are familiar with all major exam boards, including AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, and they’ll help you master the content, strategy, and confidence needed to secure top marks.

Find the right tutor today and maximise your chances of getting an A* in A-Level Biology. Join the 81% who raised their grade with expert, one-to-one support. 

1. What Does It Take to Achieve an A or A* in A Level Biology?

To achieve an A or A* in A-Level Biology, you need more than just a basic understanding of the subject. The amount of content is vast, and the biology exam demands critical thinking and the ability to apply your knowledge to unfamiliar situations. That means you need to master the content, but also hone your exam technique.

Key habits of top-performing students:

• Begin revision early — aim to cover all core content at least once before your final mock exams.
• Avoid simply memorising keywords; instead, focus on applying knowledge to processes like photosynthesis or the immune response.
• Regularly review past topics and track your performance in practice tests.
• Use real exam questions, then compare your answers with the official mark scheme to spot what examiners reward.

With guidance from a Spires tutor, top grades are well within your reach. Find an expert A Level Biology Tutor and start making real progress before exams start approaching. 

2. Know Your Exam Board and Specification

Whether you’re with AQA, OCR, or Edexcel, every exam board has its own specification, mark scheme, and style of questions. Understanding what your examiners are looking for is one of the most powerful steps you can take. It helps you focus only on the content you need, and saves time revising unnecessary topics.

How to understand your exam board:

• Download the full biology syllabus and read it carefully. Start early, as there’s a lot of content to cover. 
• Use past papers from your exam board to get familiar with the types of questions they typically ask. Go through your answers with a different colour pen to highlight any mistakes you made and note down any recurring topics.
• Read through student exemplar answers published by your exam board. These are often accompanied by examiner commentary, which can give you insight into what A or A* responses look like.

Understanding your exam board’s requirements can give you a real advantage. But with so much content to cover, it can feel overwhelming. Spires’ A Level Biology Tutors have helped hundreds of students break down what examiners expect. Get expert advice and guidance to achieve an A or A* in A-Level Biology.

3. Make a Revision Schedule 

A good revision strategy starts with a realistic plan. Cramming might help you remember a few facts, but to achieve top grades, you need to space out your revision, revisit key topics, and actively recall everything you can remember. Find some key tips below so you can get an A or A* in A Level Biology. 

What makes a great revision schedule:

• Balanced mix of content review, practice questions, and testing.
• Time allocated to harder topics and weak areas.
• Regular reviews of previous material to keep knowledge fresh.

Sample Biology Revision Log

Day	Time Slot	Topic & Task
Monday	4:00–4:45 PM	Cell Structure – Review notes, use flashcards
	5:00–5:45 PM	Enzymes – Active recall & practice past questions
Tuesday	4:00–4:45 PM	DNA & RNA – Create a mindmap
	5:00–5:30 PM	Self-quiz from question bank
Wednesday	4:00–4:45 PM	Transport in Animals – Diagram-based revision
	5:00–5:45 PM	Mark a past paper and analyse the mark scheme
Thursday	4:00–5:00 PM	Photosynthesis – In-depth study with exam-style Qs
Friday	4:00–4:30 PM	Flashcards – Quick recall on key terms
	4:30–5:30 PM	Full practice paper under timed conditions
Saturday	Flexible	Weekly review, focus on knowledge gaps
Sunday	Flexible	Light review or take a break

4. Revise Biology Without Feeling Overwhelmed

With so much content to cover in A-Level Biology, feeling overwhelmed is normal, but avoidable. The solution is to work smarter, not just harder. Break down topics into manageable chunks, and cycle through them with active techniques that help you retain and understand material deeply.

How to simplify your Biology revision:

• Use topic lists from the specification to structure study blocks.
• Rotate subjects weekly to reinforce memory.
• Use visual tools like mindmaps or flowcharts.

Feeling anxious about the sheer amount of Biology content? Let a Spires A Level Biology Tutor help you streamline your revision with personalised one-to-one lessons.

5. Top Revision Techniques That Work

Some revision methods are simply more effective than others, especially for a subject as information-heavy as biology. Active recall and spaced repetition stand out as the most powerful tools to help you memorise and recall information.

The best Biology revision techniques:

• Flashcards for everything – definitions, processes, exam command words.
• “Close the book” – read a section, write down everything you can remember, then check the accuracy of your content. This forces you to memorise actively rather than passively re-read.
• Teach the topic – explaining a concept out loud reveals any gaps in your understanding.

Whether you’re revising one topic or multiple subject areas, the key is consistency and variety. The right mix of techniques can help you stay on track, boost confidence, and ultimately help you achieve the results you want.

With just 27.7% of students achieving an A or A* in A-Level Biology last year, it’s normal to feel the pressure. A dedicated Online Biology Tutor can give you the clarity and confidence you need to succeed.

6. Use Past Papers and Mark Schemes

Working with past papers is one of the best ways to prepare for your Biology exam. It helps you identify common question types, understand how examiners award marks, and avoid falling into the same traps other students do.

How to make the most of past papers:

• Complete past papers under timed conditions to simulate the pressure of the real exam.
• Mark your work using the official mark scheme so you know exactly where marks are awarded.
• Analyse your mistakes and make a note of where you can improve.
• Use papers to familiarise yourself with question styles, structure, and command words.
• Read the examiner’s report — most students skip this, but it gives valuable insight into common mistakes and what top answers do well.

If you’re revising a lot of content, past papers are a smart way to test whether you really understand the topic. Moreover, past paper performance is one of the strongest predictors of final results. An A Level Biology Tutor can walk you through your answers, explain tricky questions, and help you maximise every mark.

7. Understand Exam Question Types

Not all questions are created equal. In A-Level Biology, understanding what the question is asking is often half the battle. Command words like “describe,” “explain,” “evaluate,” and “suggest” each demand a different kind of response, and knowing how to tackle each type can maximise your marks.

Types of exam questions you’ll face:

• Recall – simple definitions or facts from the syllabus.
• Application – using what you know in new or unfamiliar scenarios.
• Analysis – interpreting data, graphs, or experimental results.
• Evaluation – giving balanced arguments and coming to a conclusion.

Struggling to break down exam questions? Not getting the support you need in school? An expert Online Tutor  can help you build confidence and master the skills you’ve been missing.

8. Memorise with Flashcards & Diagrams

A-Level Biology includes a huge number of terms, processes, and systems that you need to revise accurately. Passive reading won’t cut it; you’ll need visual and interactive methods to retain everything.

Methods to boost your memory:

• Use flashcards – perfect for key definitions, processes, and cycles.
• Mindmaps and flowcharts – great for showing links between ideas.
• Diagrams – label structures like the heart, cell organelles, or ATP production.

Apps like Anki or Quizlet use spaced repetition, which is one of the best revision techniques to help long-term memory. Add colour and images to your cards because it’s easier to recall information when it’s visually distinctive.

Retention starts with the right strategy. An A-Level Tutor can help you break down complex Biology content and use tailored study methods to lock in the knowledge that matters most.

9. Practice Under Timed Conditions

You may know the biology content, but can you apply it under exam pressure? Practising under timed conditions trains you to think clearly and manage your time effectively, especially when facing challenging questions.

Benefits of timed practice:

• Simulates real exam environment.
• Builds time management and pacing skills.
• Exposes weak spots in understanding or technique.

Start with untimed questions to build confidence, but shift to strict timing as your exam approaches. Aim to complete past exam papers within the time limit, then check your answers and reflect on your performance.

Tip: Instead of cramming, test yourself at intervals. Quiz yourself 10 minutes after revising, then again the next day, and once more a week later. This method trains your brain to retain.

10. Fix Gaps in Understanding

One of the biggest reasons students miss out on top grades is that they never identify their gaps in understanding. A weak topic left unchecked can undermine your answers across multiple questions. You need to spot those weaknesses and close them.

How to identify and fix knowledge gaps:

• Review past paper questions where you scored poorly.
• Track topics you consistently avoid or struggle with.
• Ask yourself: Can I teach this topic without notes?

Focus revision sessions on weak points and mix in active recall and practice questions. Make sure not to let knowledge gaps cost you marks. A Spires A Level Biology Tutor can help pinpoint where you’re falling short and explain difficult biology content in clear, simple terms.

11. Learn from Mistakes in Past Papers

If you use it properly, every past paper you complete is a goldmine of feedback. Too many students complete a paper, look at the score, and move on. The real value comes from digging into the questions you got wrong.

How to review past papers like a top student:

• Mark thoroughly using the official mark scheme.
• Make a note of why each answer was wrong.
• Redo those questions a week later without notes.

Reflecting on mistakes not only improves your performance, but helps you avoid the same errors in future assessments. Learn from what went wrong, and use it to strengthen your exam technique.

12. Apply Core Knowledge to New Contexts

In A-Level Biology, the hardest questions are the ones that present a situation you’ve never seen before. These test whether you’ve truly understood the content, not just memorised it.

Tactics for applying your knowledge:

• Practise application-style questions regularly.
• Link new scenarios back to core concepts.
• Ask yourself: What is this question really testing?

This kind of thinking is what sets top students apart. It can push you into the highest grade bands and prepare you for the demands of university study.

Application-style questions are where students lose the most marks. If you’re relying on memorisation alone, it might not be enough. A Spires A Level Biology Tutor can help you build the skills to tackle unfamiliar questions with confidence.

13. Summarise & Recall Content Fast

Revising for biology doesn’t mean reading your notes over and over again. To truly memorise large amounts of content, you need to focus on active recall and summarisation techniques that test what you know.

How to summarise effectively:

• Use the “close the book” technique: study a topic, close the book, and write down everything you can remember.
• Create one-page summaries for each topic with diagrams and bullet points.
• Teach the topic out loud or to a friend to see where the gaps in your understanding are.

These methods improve retention and help you recall information faster during exams. They’re also ideal for quick revision the night before.

14. Why Biology Grades Matter for University Applications 

Your A-level biology grade can influence your university applications, especially if you’re aiming for competitive courses like medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, or biological sciences. Admissions teams often view biology as a strong indicator of a student’s readiness for degree-level science.

Why top grades in biology matter:

• Biology is a required subject for many university courses, especially in fields like medicine, veterinary science, nursing, and biosciences.
• High grades boost your UCAS points and improve your chances.
• Strong performance in biology demonstrates analytical skills.

Not to mention, top universities can lead to better career prospects and a higher earning potential down the line. That A or A* could pay off long after your exam is over.

Want to make your university application stand out? A Spires Online Tutor can help you secure the biology grade you need for your future.

15. Use the Best Learning Resources

With so many books, websites, and tools available, choosing the right learning resources can make a huge difference in how effectively you revise for biology. You don’t need everything, but you do need the right mix.

Recommended biology revision resources:

• Official exam board materials – specification, past papers, and mark schemes.
• YouTube channels like Amoeba Sisters, BioRach, or Seneca for visual explanations.
• Online platforms – Save My Exams, Physics & Maths Tutor, and Revision Science.
• Flashcard apps – Anki, Quizlet (for spaced repetition).

Stick to a few trusted sources to avoid confusion, and always refer back to your specification to ensure you’re covering the correct content.

16. Get an A or A* in A-Level Biology with One-to-One Tutoring

No matter how organised your revision is, personalised learning makes all the difference. Working with a tutor can help you refine your exam technique, break down the most challenging content, and structure your revision in a way that aligns with your goals.

Why our tutoring makes a difference:

• Focused support on your weakest areas.
• Expert insight into what examiners look for.
• Custom revision strategies tailored to you.
• 81% of our students achieve a grade improvement.

Whether you want to turn that B to an A or go from an A to an A*, Spires offers access to top Online Biology Tutors from leading UK universities. Sessions are flexible, online, and built entirely around your schedule and learning preferences.

Don’t risk your final grade. Work one-to-one with a tutor and maximise your chances of achieving an A or A*. 

FAQs: How to Get an A or A* in A-Level Biology

1. What exam board is best for A-Level Biology?
There’s no single “best” board. AQA, OCR, and Edexcel each have their own style. The key is to focus on learning your specific specification and building strong exam technique.s

2. How many hours should I revise biology each week?
Aim for 6 to 8 focused hours per week in Year 12, and increase that in Year 13 depending on your confidence level and mock results.

3. What’s the most effective revision technique for biology?
Active recall and spaced repetition are both highly effective, especially when combined with flashcards and past paper questions. 

4. Should I get a tutor for A-Level Biology?
Absolutely. Tutoring helps identify gaps in your understanding and gives tailored feedback. In fact, 81% of Spires students improve by at least one grade.

5. When should I start revising for biology A-Level?
The earlier, the better. Ideally, start from the beginning of Year 12, but it’s never too late to use effective revision strategies.