If you’re considering taking Biology for A Level, you’ll have lots to think about – from your aspirations to your skill set and how much you enjoy it as a subject. But there’s probably one question that you can’t get out of your mind: is Biology A Level hard?
Well, it can certainly be challenging. But if you’re even thinking about choosing biology, it’s probably a challenge that’s worth taking. Here’s the full lowdown.
Psst! Finding an A Level Biology tutor is a great way to make sure you can keep up with your class and reach your full potential in the exams.
Is A Level Biology hard?
Yes, A Level Biology is hard and can be a big jump up from GCSE.
But don’t forget, it’s supposed to be!
After all, ‘A Level’ stands for ‘Advanced Level.’
With that in mind, these qualifications are designed to cover more complex and in-depth material than what you were exposed to at GCSE.
That said, fewer students than average tend to get a grade C or above in A Level Biology (although only by a little!).
In 2024, 69.8% of A Level Biology students got a grade C or above (according to FFT Education Datalab) – compared to 76.4% across all subjects.
How hard is A Level Biology?
Every learner is different. So, it’s impossible to tell for sure exactly how hard you’d find A Level Biology.
Instead, it’ll all depend on your work ethic, your aptitude for the subject, and what kind of learner you are.
However, A Level Biology is definitely a subject that requires a lot of hard work, persistence and dedication.
There’s a big syllabus to learn, with lots of complex topics to wrap your head around.
Exactly what topics you cover can vary a little depending on which exam board you’re with.
But AQA breaks the content down into eight core subjects:
- Biological molecules
- Cells
- Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- The control of gene expression
Not only will you need to commit to learning a lot of material, but you’ll also have to fully understand the ‘why’ behind it.
In other words, you won’t be able to sail through the course by just learning content off by heart.
Rather, you’ll need to be able to explain the concepts you’re learning and apply your knowledge to unfamiliar situations.
As part of this, you’ll also need to have a reasonably strong foundation in maths.
With all that in mind, we’d recommend having at least a grade 6 in GCSE Biology if you want to study the subject at A Level – or in double science if you didn’t take triple science at GCSE.
How hard is Biology A Level compared to the other sciences?
If you’re deciding between the science subjects, you might be wondering how biology compares to chemistry or physics for difficulty.
Well, there’s not much in it if you look at pass rates alone.
Here’s the proportion of students that achieved each grade for A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics in 2024.
| Biology | Physics | Chemistry | |
| A* | 9.1% | 11.3% | 9.8% |
| A or above | 27.7% | 31.9% | 32.7% |
| C or above | 69.8% | 69.7% | 73.5% |
| E or above | 95.5% | 95.3% | 95.6% |
Grade E is the minimum for a pass at A Level.
So, as you can see, all three sciences are pretty similar when it comes to pass rates.
That said, fewer students tend to reach the higher grades in biology than the other sciences – just 27.7% of A Level Biology students got a grade A or above, compared to 32.7% in chemistry and 31.9% in physics.
So, does that make biology the hardest science?
Well, it’ll all depend on your skill set and preferences – but we don’t think so.
Rather, part of the difference may be to do with the reputation that physics and chemistry have for being particularly hard – meaning that the students taking these subjects have a certain aptitude for them.
With that in mind, we think you’re better off considering which of these subjects most closely matches your skills and future aspirations – rather than just looking at pass rates.
In particular, while all three sciences rely on mathematical skills at A Level, physics and chemistry do so even more than biology. In biology, only around 10% of the course will require you to use mathematical skills, which may make it the more appealing option if you’re not as strong in this aspect.
Read our guide to whether A Level Chemistry and A Level Physics are hard for more help making your decision.
Is Biology A Level harder than maths?
If we look at pass rates alone then yes, Biology A Level is harder than maths.
For comparison, here’s the proportion of students that received each grade in these subjects in 2024.
| Biology | Maths | |
| A* | 9.1% | 16.9% |
| A or above | 27.7% | 42% |
| C or above | 69.8% | 76.7% |
| E or above | 95.5% | 96.1% |
As you can see, A Level Maths grades are higher.
However, A Level Maths tends to be one of the subjects with the highest grades out of all the A Level subjects.
We know what you’re thinking: does that make A Level Maths easy?
Well, no. At least, not for most students.
Instead, part of the reason behind A Level Maths’ high grades is that students generally only take the subject if they have a certain aptitude for maths in the first place.
On the other hand, A Level Biology is likely to attract a slightly wider range of learners with different aptitudes and ambitions.
Yes, you’ll still need mathematical skills to succeed in it. But only around 10% of the course requires you to use your maths skills.
With that in mind, don’t let the lower grades put you off!
Why is A Level Biology so difficult?
One of the things that makes A Level Biology difficult is the huge curriculum.
Not only will you have lots to memorise, but you’ll need to be able to understand it all fully, so that you can apply your knowledge to unfamiliar situations.
This requires a lot of memorisation and practice, which means you’ll need to commit to a decent amount of self study.
Plus, there’ll be some maths to get your head around – including using fractions, percentages, ratios, simple probability, algebra and even geometry in the context of biology.
In this way, A Level Biology requires lots of different skills – from critical thinking and problem solving to good time management and the ability to take initiative in your own learning.
On top of this, you’ll be dealing with a very specific mark scheme, which means you’ll need to get familiar with exactly what the examiners are looking for.
Luckily, many of our handpicked tutors are also experienced examiners and can give you the inside edge!
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How to pass A Level Biology
A Level Biology is no walk in the park. But there are definitely some things you can do to increase your chances of doing well in this subject.
Here are our top tips for how to pass A Level Biology with flying colours.
Know what to expect
First things first, it’s important to know exactly what to expect in your A Level Biology exams.
This way, you can make sure to cover every element in your preparation. Plus, you can lower your exam stress knowing that there won’t be any unexpected surprises on the day.
As well as practical assessments, you’ll have three exams to sit. Exactly how they’re structured and what’s in them will vary depending on your exam board – so, make sure to check!
Review each lesson afterwards
We’d always recommend taking 10 minutes to review what you’ve learned after each lesson.
This doesn’t have to be straight afterwards – waiting until the next day or even the end of the week is fine. The important thing is to look over your notes and try some of the questions.
Not only will it remind you what you covered, but it will also give you a chance to spot any weaker areas you need help with before your class moves on to harder territory. Which brings us onto…
Practise!
You know the saying practice makes perfect? Well, it’s absolutely true when it comes to A Level Biology!
Remember, this course requires you to not just learn the content, but be able to apply it in new situations.
With that in mind, the more time you can spend answering practice questions and trying your hand at past papers, the more confident you’ll become.
Ask for help
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness!
If there’s anything you’re struggling to wrap your head around, the best thing you can do is get help sooner rather than later. This way, you can get your questions answered and catch up with the rest of the class.
Our handpicked A Level Biology tutors can help to demystify any complex scientific theories and break down tricky formulas so that you can get back on track – even if it means going back to basics.
Start your A Level Biology revision early
It’s never too early to start revising for your A Level Biology exams.
Rather than leaving it until a few months (or even weeks!) before your exams start, revising consistently throughout the year will give you the best results.
Plus, it will be way less stressful!
Hone your exam technique
Remember when we said that the mark schemes for A Level Biology can be quite specific?
Working on your exam technique will give you the best chance of giving the examiners what they’re looking for.
To access as many marks as possible, you’ll want to give every question a go – even if you’re not sure of the correct answer. Practise completing papers under timed conditions so you don’t run out of time in the exam.
Believe in yourself
A Level Biology is a big jump up from GCSE – but everyone will be in the same boat!
So, don’t beat yourself up if it takes a little while for you to adjust to the new workload.
Instead, trust that with perseverance, hard work and the right support behind you, you can achieve your goals.
Find a tutor to bring A Level Biology to life
A Level Biology can be a hard subject, but it can also be incredibly enriching and rewarding.
To give yourself the best chance of passing with flying colours, why not find an A Level biology tutor to support you every step of the way?
They’ll give you one-on-one attention and tailor their teaching to suit your strengths, weaknesses and learning style.
In this way, they’ll help you to hone your skills and wrap your head around any concepts you’re struggling to get the hang of, so you can reach your full potential.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
Is it hard to pass A Level Biology?
Biology isn’t an easy subject, but most students pass. In 2024, 95.5% of A Level Biology students got a grade E or above (according to FFT Education Datalab).
Is getting an A in A Level Biology hard?
Yes, getting an A in A Level Biology is hard. But with perseverance and the right support, it is possible.
In 2024, 27.7% of A Level Biology students got a grade A or above.
What are the easiest A levels?
No two learners are the same, so it’s impossible to say for sure which are the easiest A Levels.
However, subjects like business, film studies and media studies are generally considered to be less academically rigorous.
Is biology harder than chemistry?
If you look at grades alone, then yes. Chemistry A Level students tend to get higher grades than A Level Biology students.
However, biology doesn’t contain as much maths as chemistry does, which may make it easier for some learners.
