How is GCSE Biology assessed?
A. In Foundation Tier, students must sit two written exams. Each lasts one hour. Paper 1 consists of about 20 short answer questions and is worth 30 percent of the final award. Paper 2 consists of six compulsory structured questions and is worth 45 percent of the final award. The final 25 percent of the marks are awarded for internal assessment. Students must gain marks for at least two pieces of investigative work carried out during the course. At least one these marks must come from a whole investigation – an activity that covers aspects of all the skills being assessed. In Higher Tier, students must sit two written exam papers. Paper 1 lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes. It consists of about 20 short answer questions and is worth 32 percent of the final award. Paper 2 lasts for two hours. It consists of eight compulsory structured questions and is worth 43 percent of the final grade. The final 25 percent of the marks are awarded for internal assessment. Students must gain marks for at leas
