Which Exam Board Is The Hardest For A-Level Biology? AQA Vs CIE Vs Edexcel Vs OCR | A Level Biology (2024)

FAQs

Is AQA biology harder than Edexcel? ›

Edexcel – The time limit of this exam is said to be difficult to cope with. Although, the grade boundaries are quite reasonable therefore it's easier to pass. AQA – The difficulty of the paper may be the same, however, the grade boundaries would be higher compared to edexcel thus making it more difficult.

AQA is relatively easy for students studying pure Biology, Psychology, Sociology, or similar subjects. On the other hand, OCR is preferable for the ones enjoying Maths, Chemistry, Physics, or related courses.

For those of you wanting the short answer: A-Level Biology is quite a hard A-Level, even for the most skilled science students. It's a completely different ball game to GCSE, it goes much more into depth and there's a lot more content you need to know.

But students consider CIE harder and tougher than Edexcel due to the fact that they have to maintain more of an international standard when compared to Edexcel. Edexcel is more focused on the UK, therefore their difficulty level and course and paper structure is more compliant with the UK system.

The Cambridge board (CIE) is the most difficult board for students in the UK but the easiest for candidates abroad. Whilst Edexcel iGCSE is mainly based in the UK, CIE focuses on facilitating the needs of students abroad.

Key differences

The AQA papers are equally weighted, putting less pressure on students to do better in one than the other. Edexcel's two papers are split 40%/60% and have a greater emphasis on persuasive and instructional writing.

Both the exams are considered to be of the same difficulty level over all with differences in opinion regarding subject wise difficulty.

Molecular Cell Biology is one of the hardest Biology degrees to study, and Biology in itself is a very challenging discipline. Studying Molecular Cell Biology is like learning a new language, as there is an incredibly complex vocabulary to describe the structure and function of life at the molecular level.

'CIE A Level' refers to A Level by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), while 'UK A Level' collectively refers to A Level by Edexcel, AQA, OCR and all other UK examination boards except CIE. Actually, CIE is also an examination board in UK, and it is a department of the University of Cambridge.

Which exam board is closest to CIE? ›

“Cambridge” basically means CIE, Cambridge International Examinations board, and if you are not in the UK it is probably the better option for you. Edexcel, like OCR and AQA, is aimed more at UK students.

However, in the case of the ICSE Board, students encounter a comprehensive and practical-based syllabus to get an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. This is one of the prime reasons why ICSE is the toughest board in India.

Generally, students consider that Cambridge is tougher than Edexcel since they have an international standard to maintain while Edexcel is more concentrated and focused on the UK meaning they structure their exams and set the difficulty in a way which is compliant to the UK system.

Generally, students consider that Cambridge is tougher than Edexcel since they have an international standard to maintain while Edexcel is more concentrated and focused on the UK meaning they structure their exams and set the difficulty in a way which is compliant to the UK system.

The three most popular UK exam boards are AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance), OCR and Pearson Edexcel.

AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) is one of the main examination boards in England and currently accounts for more than half of the GCSE and A-level qualifications taken and marked in the UK each year.

AQA is the largest examination board for GCSEs and GCE A Levels in England.

Pupils' GCSE and A-level exams will be graded more generously than in pre-pandemic years - to make up for the disruption Covid has had on learning. National exams are going ahead this year across the UK, for the first time since the pandemic began.

Which has a better reputation CIE or Edexcel? ›

CIE is the Cambridge International Examination and EDEXCEL is offered by a subsidiary of the Pearson publishing company. Both examinations are highly respected and have equal value in regard to further studies or employment.

The 12 hardest A-Level subjects are Mathematics, Further Mathematics, History, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The list also includes English Literature, Art, Psychology, Computer Programming and Music. You might be looking at some of these subjects and thinking, “No way! I could pass those in my sleep”.

The CBSE Board syllabus is far easier compared to ICSE. The CBSE syllabus features an additional compact structure and fewer subjects.

Biology only seems so hard because it has been defined by a set of very hard questions. Physics only seems easy because centuries of effort by deeply insightful thinkers have produced a set of answerable questions. What makes biology so challenging, ironically, is our closeness to it.

Ans. Biology will be significantly tougher than math. In Bio, there will be a few application questions, but they will mostly be surface-level thinking problems. Question 2.

Generally, physics is often deemed to be the hardest of all the sciences, especially as an A level qualification. Physics involves a lot of complex maths content – an aspect that most students struggle with.

There is NO difference to the abbreviation of CIE and CAIE for Cambridge International. It is simply a slight change of name of Cambridge International. CIE stands for the Cambridge International Examination.

CIE is Cambridge International Examinations and is a sister company to OCR, which offers GCSEs and A-levels etc. Edexcel is a subsidiary of the publisher Pearson, and it offers IGCSEs alongside the full range of UK qualifications. They are both respected bodies in the UK and their qualifications have equal value.

Key differences between AQA and Edexcel

Edexcel's Level 1 and Level 2 reading and writing assessments are set and verified by Edexcel, but marked by individual centres. The Edexcel assessments are on demand, whereas AQA provides the specification through entry periods, four times a year.

What is D * D * D equivalent to in A levels? ›

A final grade of DDD is equivalent to achieving 3 grade A's at A-level and attracts the same UCAS points for university. It is a popular and successful route into higher education.

This type of qualifications is given a ranked grade, this is because the awarding body recognises that the student has achieved the qualification and recognises highest to lowest levels in performance. The highest-grade being Distinction star and the lowest grade Pass. Possible grades: DS* = Distinction star.

CIE exams are all carefully designed and written to be fair and accessible to students absolutely anywhere in the world. AQA, OCR, Edexcel and the Welsh exam board's exams all assume a UK-based candidate, with a British cultural background and understanding of life.

Both CIE and EDEXCEL are internationally recognized examination boards that open doors for numerous opportunities for higher studies and work. Both examinations are similar with variations in the examination papers and exam structure.

Universities | Pearson qualifications. Pearson Edexcel sets the standard for worldwide recognised qualifications aligned to the British educational system and accepted by universities worldwide.

✅ Gaokao (China)

Each year, millions of students in China take the gaokao, taken by students in their third and final year of high school typically from June 7 to June 8 or 9. It's China's version of the American SAT and British A-level tests, and is known as one of the hardest exams in the world.

ICSE Board has better acceptability than any other board, particularly in foreign lands. While CBSE Boards are also widely accepted, students with an ICSE certification get the upper hand in foreign schools and universities.

What is the difference between AQA and Edexcel combined science? ›

The main difference is that AQA books are geared to the exams set by AQA, and Edexcel to those by Edexcel. So unless you are taking the Edexcel exam (which, by the sound of it, you aren't) this book will be of limited use to you.

On top of being regarded one of the hardest IGCSE subjects, Physics is also well-known for it's Maths content.

What do pupils need to pass their exams? Pupils will have needed a 4 for a "standard pass" and 5 for a "strong pass".

The hardest GCSE to pass is Double Science with 58.1 percent of students getting a four or lower in 2021.

For the A Level examination, there are many examination boards such as CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA and others. 'CIE A Level' refers to A Level by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), while 'UK A Level' collectively refers to A Level by Edexcel, AQA, OCR and all other UK examination boards except CIE.

However, if you're wondering “what is the toughest subject in A Levels?”, the answer is Further Mathematics. Not far behind are Modern Foreign Languages and just behind them is Chemistry. So, if you're curious about the hardest A-Level combination, those three will give you a good idea.

Triple Science also tends to be a bit more difficult than Combined Science but you will often be given more lessons per week than if you were taking Combined Science.

GCSE exam format

Edexcel and AQA both have their non-calculator as paper 1, whereas OCR differs by placing the non-calculator paper in the middle of the series. Additionally, each paper for OCR is out of 100 marks rather than 80.