WJEC GCSE Biology Revision
Adaptive practice aligned to the Welsh Joint Education Committee (Eduqas) specification. 9 topics, exam-style questions, and instant AI feedback.
About WJEC GCSE Biology
WJEC is the principal exam board in Wales and also offers qualifications in England under the Eduqas brand. Their specifications are known for accessible language and clear assessment objectives.
GCSE Biology covers the study of living organisms, from the molecular level right up to ecosystems. You will learn about cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis, inheritance, variation, evolution, and ecology.
Topics in WJEC GCSE Biology
Study Tips for WJEC Biology
Use flashcards with diagrams for key processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and mitosis. Draw the diagrams from memory repeatedly until you can reproduce them accurately without looking.
Learn the required practicals thoroughly — not just the method, but why each step is done, what variables are controlled, and how to evaluate the results. Exam questions on practicals are very common.
Create a glossary of key terms for each topic. Many marks are lost because students use vague language instead of precise scientific terminology, such as writing germs instead of pathogens.
Link topics together. For example, understand how respiration connects to exercise and homeostasis, or how genetics links to evolution and natural selection. Examiners love questions that cross topic boundaries.
Exam Tips for WJEC Biology
For 6-mark extended response questions, plan your answer briefly before writing. Structure it logically with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use scientific terminology throughout and make sure each point is distinct rather than repeating the same idea in different words.
When interpreting graphs and data, always refer to specific values from the data in your answer. Saying the rate increased is not enough — state by how much and between which points.
Read command words carefully. Describe means state what happens, explain means say why it happens, and evaluate means weigh up evidence for and against. Mixing these up costs marks every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers are in GCSE Biology?
If you take separate sciences, there are two Biology papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 1 covers topics 1-4 (cell biology through bioenergetics) and Paper 2 covers topics 5-7 (homeostasis through ecology).
Is GCSE Biology harder than Combined Science?
Separate Biology goes into more depth on each topic and is assessed with longer papers. However, many students who enjoy biology find it more rewarding because you have more time to explore each area.
What topics come up most in GCSE Biology?
Cell biology, organisation (including enzymes and the digestive system), and infection and response are heavily tested. Ecology and inheritance also feature prominently, particularly in Paper 2.
Do I need to memorise equations for GCSE Biology?
You need to know a small number of word equations, such as photosynthesis and aerobic respiration. These will not be given to you in the exam, so make sure you can write them from memory.
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