Pearson Edexcel A level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) (9BN0)
Exam structure at a glance for Pearson Edexcel A level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield): every paper with its time, marks and weighting, plus the facts and links you need.
- Board
- Pearson Edexcel
- Specification code
- 9BN0
- Level
- A level
- First teaching
- 2015
- First exams
- 2017
- Exam papers
- 3 · 6 h in total
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
Plan the whole year: open this course in the Year Planner – every lesson dated around your term dates, with a coverage check. Free.
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Papers and weightings
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | What it is (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival | 2 h | 100 | 33.3% | Topics 1-6 (lifestyle and health, genes, genome, biodiversity, ecology, immunity and forensics). |
| Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination | 2 h | 100 | 33.3% | Topics 1-4 plus 7-8 (exercise physiology and the nervous system). |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology | 2 h | 100 | 33.3% | All topics with synoptic questions; one section is based on a scientific article pre-released 8 weeks before the exam. |
| Science Practical Endorsement: Science Practical Endorsement Endorsement | not stated | – | Reported separately | Teacher-assessed (at least 12 practical activities) against the common practical assessment criteria; Pass or Not Classified, reported separately from the grade. |
Times are exam lengths; weightings are shares of the whole qualification. Summaries are in our own words.
Good to know
- Number of required practicals: 18
- Required practicals: 18 core practicals (spec also says 16 in one place - see open questions); endorsement needs at least 12 practical activities.
- Pre-release material: Scientific article for Paper 3 published 8 weeks before the exam.
- Maths skills: at least 10% of marks assess Level 2 (or higher) maths skills
- Pre-release material: Scientific article for Paper 3 published 8 weeks before the exam.
- Practical endorsement: reported separately as Pass or Not Classified; it does not count towards the A level grade.
Not yet confirmed by us: Core practicals: spec says 18 in one place and 16 in another.; Calculator rule not stated in the text read.. Check the official documents.
Key dates
Summer 2027 exam series
- First exam (GCSE and A level): Mon, 10 May 2027
- Contingency day: Wed, 23 June 2027
- Special consideration deadline: Wed, 30 June 2027
A levels are linear: all exams are sat at the end of the two-year course. Source: JCQ key dates June 2027. Check each board's final timetable for paper dates and results day.
Specification, past papers and grade boundaries
- Pearson Edexcel: Specification at a glance (board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Specification (PDF, board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Past papers and mark schemes (board website)
- Pearson Edexcel: Grade boundaries (board website)
Facts checked against: qualifications.pearson.com.
More packs
Exam facts (paper names, times, marks, weightings, codes) are taken from each awarding body's own specification and summarised in our own words; no specification text, papers, mark schemes or booklets are reproduced. Exam details checked against the board's specification on 2026-10-20. Always check the current specification on the board's website.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Ofqual and DfE pages on GOV.UK). Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, Ofqual, JCQ, AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR or WJEC Eduqas.
Questions teachers ask
How long are the Pearson Edexcel A level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exams?
Paper 1: 2 h; Paper 2: 2 h; Paper 3: 2 h.