UniGeniusHigher Biology

Higher Biology

Higher Biology exam date 2027

In 2027 Higher Biology is sat on Wednesday 12 May, from 09:00 to 11:30: one question paper with Section 1 (multiple choice) and Section 2 (written).

Weeks before your first paper
Hours a week for biology
Topic 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
Topic 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations
Topic 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
Topic 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
Topic 5: Metabolic rate and survival
Topic 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
Topic 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
Topic 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Topic 1

DNA, replication and gene expression: 14.4 of your hours. It is 3 of the 20 questions on each timed paper, 15%.

Hours per topic
TopicYour hoursShare of the checks
Topic 1: DNA, replication and gene expression14.415%
Topic 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration14.415%
Topic 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection14.415%
Topic 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity14.415%
Topic 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations9.610%
Topic 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing9.610%
Topic 5: Metabolic rate and survival9.610%
Topic 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms9.610%

Week by week

  1. Week 1Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
  2. Week 2Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
  3. Week 3Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
  4. Week 4Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression, Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
  5. Week 5Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
  6. Week 6Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
  7. Week 7Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
  8. Week 8Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration, Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
  9. Week 9Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
  10. Week 10Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
  11. Week 11Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection, Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
  12. Week 12Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
  13. Week 13Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
  14. Week 14Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
  15. Week 15Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity, Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations
  16. Week 16Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations
  17. Week 17Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations, Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
  18. Week 18Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
  19. Week 19Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
  20. Week 20Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing, Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival
  21. Week 21Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival
  22. Week 22Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival, Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
  23. Week 23Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
  24. Week 24Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
  25. Week 25A timed paper and two Section 2 style questions, then review every lost mark
  26. Week 26A timed paper and two Section 2 style questions, then review every lost mark

Check your topics with the free test

Question paper2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks
Section 120 marks of multiple choice
Section 280 marks of written answers
Exam day 2027Wednesday 12 May, 09:00 to 11:30

Using the weeks before the exam

Take the free check first: it shows which of the eight sections costs you most marks. Then work section by section with its lessons and practice, and sit a timed Section 1 paper every week or two.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Section 1 style
In a cell, all of the coenzyme NAD has been converted to NADH, and none is converted back. Which stages of respiration stop because their dehydrogenase enzymes can no longer work?
Question 2Section 1 style
A table of four woodland fragments. F1: area 50 hectares, 0.5 km from the nearest fragment, 42 bird species. F2: 50 hectares, 4 km, 29 species. F3: 10 hectares, 0.5 km, 25 species. F4: 10 hectares, 4 km, 16 species.
FragmentArea (hectares)Distance to nearest fragment (km)Number of bird species
F1500.542
F250429
F3100.525
F410416
The table shows the area of four woodland fragments, their distance from the nearest other fragment, and the number of bird species found in each. Which conclusion do the data support?

Next step

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Questions people ask

When is the Higher Biology exam in 2027?

Wednesday 12 May 2027, from 09:00 to 11:30.

How many papers are there?

One, in two sections, for 2 hours 30 minutes in all.