OCR A-Level Biology B (Advancing Biology) exam papers and weighting (H422)
Guide overview All 35 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Biology B (Advancing Biology) paper assesses
OCR A-Level Biology B, Advancing Biology (specification H422), teaches biology through applied and medical contexts — blood smears and haemocytometers, monitoring heart function, assisted reproduction, diabetes management, dialysis. It is three written papers plus a reported practical endorsement: Fundamentals of Biology at 41%, Scientific Literacy in Biology at 37% and Practical Skills in Biology at 22%. All three can draw on any of the five teaching modules. **This specification is being withdrawn: the final first teach was September 2026 and the final assessment is summer 2028, with no resit opportunity.**
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component 01 Fundamentals of biology |
The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification Cells and Microscopy Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals Proteins and Enzymes Nucleic Acids Patterns of Inheritance Population Genetics and Epigenetics Gene Technologies The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes Kidney Functions and Malfunctions The Cellular Basis of Cancer and Treatment Respiratory Diseases and Treatment Cellular Respiration Metabolism and Exercise Pathogenic Microorganisms The Immune System Controlling Communicable Diseases Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment The Impact of Population Increase Planning and Implementing Practical Work Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques Fertility and Assisted Reproduction The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System Plant Reproduction The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage Monitoring Visual Function The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function Transport Systems in Mammals Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants Transport Systems in Plants |
2 hours 15 minutes | 110 marks | 41% |
|
Component 02 Scientific literacy in biology |
The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification Cells and Microscopy Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals Proteins and Enzymes Nucleic Acids Patterns of Inheritance Population Genetics and Epigenetics Gene Technologies The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes Kidney Functions and Malfunctions The Cellular Basis of Cancer and Treatment Respiratory Diseases and Treatment Cellular Respiration Metabolism and Exercise Pathogenic Microorganisms The Immune System Controlling Communicable Diseases Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment The Impact of Population Increase Planning and Implementing Practical Work Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques Fertility and Assisted Reproduction The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System Plant Reproduction The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage Monitoring Visual Function The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function Transport Systems in Mammals Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants Transport Systems in Plants |
2 hours 15 minutes | 100 marks | 37% |
|
Component 03 Practical skills in biology |
The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification Cells and Microscopy Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals Proteins and Enzymes Nucleic Acids Patterns of Inheritance Population Genetics and Epigenetics Gene Technologies The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes Kidney Functions and Malfunctions The Cellular Basis of Cancer and Treatment Respiratory Diseases and Treatment Cellular Respiration Metabolism and Exercise Pathogenic Microorganisms The Immune System Controlling Communicable Diseases Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment The Impact of Population Increase Planning and Implementing Practical Work Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques Fertility and Assisted Reproduction The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System Plant Reproduction The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage Monitoring Visual Function The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function Transport Systems in Mammals Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants Transport Systems in Plants |
1 hour 30 minutes | 60 marks | 22% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 47 |
| The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 80 |
| The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 87 |
| Cells and Microscopy | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 170 |
| Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 86 |
| Proteins and Enzymes | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 99 |
| Nucleic Acids | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 71 |
| Patterns of Inheritance | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 78 |
| Population Genetics and Epigenetics | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 59 |
| Gene Technologies | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 81 |
| The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 54 |
| The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 64 |
| Kidney Functions and Malfunctions | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 87 |
| The Cellular Basis of Cancer and Treatment | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 85 |
| Respiratory Diseases and Treatment | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 62 |
| Cellular Respiration | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 75 |
| Metabolism and Exercise | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 131 |
| Pathogenic Microorganisms | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 86 |
| The Immune System | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 68 |
| Controlling Communicable Diseases | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 51 |
| Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 181 |
| The Impact of Population Increase | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 61 |
| Planning and Implementing Practical Work | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 46 |
| Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 95 |
| Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 171 |
| Fertility and Assisted Reproduction | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 83 |
| The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 46 |
| Plant Reproduction | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 57 |
| The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 122 |
| Monitoring Visual Function | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 53 |
| The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 52 |
| The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 92 |
| Transport Systems in Mammals | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 60 |
| Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 76 |
| Transport Systems in Plants | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 79 |
Assessment details from the Cambridge OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B (Advancing Biology) H422, version 3.2. Withdrawn: final assessment summer 2028, no resit. OCR specification.
Every paper is covered, because the guide runs the whole specification.Get the guide, £8
OCR A-Level Biology B (Advancing Biology) Active Recall Guide
2,895 questions across every paper on the specification.