How to Get a 9 in GCSE Biology

GCSE Biology is notorious for the vast amount of content you are expected to know. From cell biology to ecology, at times it can feel like you’ll never have time to revise it all! We know that GCSE Biology can be a struggle, however with some careful revision it is possible to reach the very highest grades – even if the topics don’t come naturally to you at the start.

In this article we’re going to talk through some of our top tips for doing well in GCSE Biology. By applying these skills throughout your Year 10 and Year 11 Biology classes you’ll have put yourself in the best possible position on exam day.

Classwork Tips for GCSE Biology

There is a lot of content in GCSE Biology, and unfortunately this means there is a lot for you to remember. If you leave all of this memorisation until the end of Year 11 you’ll probably find yourself feeling overwhelmed at a time when you’re also trying to revise all your other subjects too. For GCSE Biology the mantra “slow and steady wins the race” is certainly true.

• Aim to understand as much as possible when you go through each topic with your teacher.
  Making sure the concepts make sense to you at the time they’re taught means that when you come to your revision period at the end of Year 11, you won’t have to waste time trying to re-learn or understand things for the very first time. Instead you can use this precious time to work on exam technique and memorisation.
• Identify your weakest topics and spend more time on these.
  We all have a tendency to spend time going over and over our favourite topics because we usually enjoy learning about these areas and get better marks too. However, neglecting to practice the tricky parts of GCSE Biology means you won’t be improving the chances of scoring an 8/9. A good way to identify your weaknesses is through end-of-topic tests – try and prepare for these like a real exam as much as possible. This way you can truly see which topics haven’t quite sunk in yet.
• Spaced repetition, spaced repetition, spaced repetition.
  We’ve already said that GCSE Biology has a lot of memorisation involved. The best way to get facts into your long-term memory is by using a technique called spaced repetition. This basically means going over the same topic multiple times at increasingly longer intervals of time. For example you might quickly review inheritance patterns the weekend after you finish learning it, then two weekends later and so on. If you start doing this in Year 10, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of content you’re trying to cram by exam time.

Revision Period Tips for GCSE Biology

The months leading up to your GCSE exams can be really busy with the amount of different subjects you’re expected to be revising! The key is to make sure you’re studying smartly so you don’t waste time on inefficient methods.

• Download your exam board’s specification.
  This should be central to all of your GCSE Biology revision. You should be able to find a pdf document on the website of your exam board which lists everything, from every topic, that they can ask you questions about. You should use this to structure your revision, making sure you don’t miss anything out or waste time on things not included. Pay particular attention to any definitions or practicals mentioned as these can be difference between a grade 8 and 9.
• Active recall is the most efficient revision technique.
  What we mean by this is any revision technique that requires you to actively use your memory to recall facts, rather than passive techniques such as copying or highlighting notes from a revision guide. Anything where you’re testing yourself counts as active recall and is far more productive than endless hours simply reading and re-reading notes. You can get creative with it too – maybe try making flashcards or a huge mind-map without looking at your notes.
• Past papers are essential.
  This is pretty much true for any GCSE subject, but particularly GCSE Biology. You can find full past papers from our question bank to test yourself. Make sure to also look at the mark scheme and examiner’s reports. These will help you learn where you’re losing marks consistently and see how the “perfect” answers are worded. And yes – this counts as an active recall technique too!

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GCSE Biology Exam Technique Tips

When the big day of your GCSE Biology exam arrives it is essential to have good exam technique or all your hard work will go to waste. No matter how well you understand the key biological concepts, if you don’t write your answers with good technique you won’t be rewarded!

• Understand the differences between question command words.
  For example, a question beginning with “State…” is going to require a very different style of answer than a question beginning with “Describe…” or “Compare and contrast…”. Knowing how to approach each style of question will come with practice, particularly by using past papers, but don’t forget to pay attention to the command words of the questions during the real exam!
• Know your definitions inside out.
  GCSE Biology has lots of different definitions that you are expected to know from memory. Take a look at your exam board’s specification as they will often write the “perfect” definition here that you can then learn and use in your own answers.
• Pay attention to keywords and use them!
  If you’ve ever sat a biology exam thinking you’ve answered a question really well but come away with zero marks, this might be where you’re going wrong! GCSE Biology is full of keywords (think of the words your teacher is always using and trying to drill into your head) that you must use in your answers. When you’re looking at past papers pay particular attention to words in bold – this signals that you cannot be awarded a mark unless you use that word in your answer. Even if the rest of your answer is perfect you will not get credit unless you use your keywords! It’s a good idea to highlight or make note of keywords you come across so you can quickly identify opportunities to use them during your exam.

Final Words

GCSE Biology is one of the toughest subjects for a number of reasons. We hope this article has helped you with your approach to studying and gives you a boost towards your achieving your goal grades. Remember that GCSEs are one of the most stressful times of a young person’s life so, while studying is crucial, taking regular breaks is also very important. Try not to panic – you’ve got this!

If you’re still struggling and would like some more help with your GCSE Revision, why not think about 1-to-1 tutoring with our experienced tutors?

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