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Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology past papers and mark schemes. 42 resources covering 2018 – 2023. Free PDF downloads.

📅2018 – 2023📄42 resources available✅Free to download

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42 of 42 resources

June 2023

12 files

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2H – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1H – June 2023

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✅

GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2H – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1H – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2F – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2H – June 2023

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1H – June 2023

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June 2022

12 files

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1H – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2H – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1H – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2H – June 2022

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✅

GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2H – June 2022

Mark Scheme

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2F – June 2022

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1H – June 2022

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November 2021

12 files

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2F – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2H – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1H – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1F – November 2021

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✅

GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2F – November 2021

Mark Scheme

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GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1F – November 2021

Mark Scheme

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✅

GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 2H – November 2021

Mark Scheme

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✅

GCSE Sciences – Mark scheme – Biology Paper 1H – November 2021

Mark Scheme

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1F – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2H – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 1H – November 2021

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GCSE Sciences – Question paper – Biology Paper 2F – November 2021

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November 2020

4 files

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2H – November 2020

Examiner Report

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1F – November 2020

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 1H – November 2020

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GCSE Sciences – Examiner report – Biology Paper 2F – November 2020

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June 2018

2 files

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GCSE Sciences – GCSE Biology Foundation tier – June 2018

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GCSE Sciences – GCSE Biology Higher tier – June 2018

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About Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (specification 1BI0) is one of the three separate sciences offered to Triple Science students. Assessment is two 1-hour-45-minute papers, each worth 100 marks, and is offered at Foundation (grades 1–5) and Higher (grades 4–9) tiers. Paper 1 covers topics 1–5: key concepts in biology, cells and control, genetics, natural selection and genetic modification, and health disease and the development of medicines. Paper 2 covers topics 6–9: plant structures and their functions, animal coordination control and homeostasis, exchange and transport in animals, and ecosystems and material cycles. Eight core practicals are integral to the specification: examiners draw on these for around 15% of marks. There is no coursework or controlled assessment; performance is based entirely on the two written exams.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1No calculator

Cells, control, genetics, natural selection, health

⏱ 1h 45min🎯 100 marks📊 50% of grade

Paper 2No calculator

Plants, coordination, exchange, ecosystems

⏱ 1h 45min🎯 100 marks📊 50% of grade

Key Information

Exam Board	Pearson Edexcel
Specification Code	1BI0
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	9–1
Assessment Type	2
Tiers	Available in Foundation (grades 1–5) and Higher (grades 4–9) tiers
Number Of Papers	2
Exam Duration	1 hour 45 minutes per paper
Total Marks	200
Available Sessions	2018 – 2023
Total Resources	42

Key Topics in Biology

Topics you need to know

Key concepts in biologyCells and controlGenetics and inheritanceNatural selection and evolutionHealth, disease and medicinesPlant systemsHomeostasis and exchangeEcosystems and material cycles

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Describe	State what is happening or observed using scientific terminology
Explain	Give reasons why something happens, using scientific theory and evidence
Evaluate	Use evidence to weigh strengths, limitations and reach a justified conclusion
Calculate	Work out a numerical answer, showing every step of your working
Suggest	Apply your knowledge to an unfamiliar context to propose a possible reason
Compare	State similarities and differences clearly, using comparative language
State	Give a brief, factual answer with no elaboration
Predict	Give an expected result, justified by scientific reasoning

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade 9	76–86%
Grade 8	63–75%
Grade 7	51–62%
Grade 6	43–50%
Grade 5	35–42%
Grade 4	27–34%

⚠️ Typical Higher tier boundaries across two papers. Actual boundaries vary by series — check the awarding body website.

How to Use Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology Past Papers Effectively

Edexcel Biology mark schemes weight precise scientific terminology heavily. Keep a vocabulary log per topic and test yourself daily — the difference between 'increase' and 'increase exponentially', between 'attached' and 'covalently bonded', between 'cell' and 'eukaryotic cell' is often a mark. For the eight core practicals, write a one-page summary per practical including: aim, independent variable, dependent variable, control variables, hazards, expected results pattern, sources of error. The most-examined practicals are Microscopy (with magnification calculations), Enzymes (often involving rate of reaction), Photosynthesis (gas collection), and Plant Tropisms. Magnification calculations recur on every paper: image size = magnification × actual size. Always check units — the most common mistake is mixing mm and µm (1 mm = 1000 µm). For 6-mark extended-response questions, Edexcel uses a tiered mark scheme. Reach the top tier by linking THREE biology concepts with cause-effect connectors. Don't say ‘insulin is released and blood glucose decreases’ — say ‘the pancreas detects high blood glucose, secretes insulin, which causes liver and muscle cells to convert glucose to glycogen, lowering blood glucose to homeostatic range’. Use the Edexcel-published examiner reports for each series — they list the specific mistakes most candidates made and are an excellent revision check-list.

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Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology Past Papers & Mark Schemes

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June 2023

June 2022

November 2021

November 2020

June 2018

About Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Biology

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

How to Use Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology Past Papers Effectively

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Geography

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Art and Design

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Chinese

Citizenship Studies

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Drama

English Language 2.0

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English Literature

English

French

Geography A

Geography B

German

Greek

Gujarati

History A

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History

Italian

Japanese

Mathematics A

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