Flopped Your IAL Biology Unit Exam? Do This Now to Save Your Grade
Get back on track fast with a data-driven, exam-focused plan that works

Why This Works
Targeted, exam-first revision consistently beats passive study. Students retain more from retrieval practice than rereading, and testing produces some of the largest score gains.
- Retrieval practice and testing effects are high-utility methods: Agarwal & Bain, 2019 and Dunlosky et al., 2013
- Spaced practice and interleaving improve STEM exam performance: Cepeda et al., 2006 and Rohrer, 2012
- Timed past papers plus immediate feedback raise accuracy and pacing: Ericsson, 2008 and Hattie, 2009
- Hosni’s chem-bio.info approach applies these to Edexcel IAL Biology using solved papers, flashcards, and the Staircase Method that “speaks the mark scheme”: AS Biology notes, 10-day plan video, 2026 exam tips
1. Prioritise High-Yield Topics for Quick Wins
Focus on content that recurs and carries reliable marks.
- Biological molecules, haemoglobin, cardiovascular disease: AS Biology 2026 notes
- Definitions, ratios, labelled diagrams are frequent “easy marks”: 10-day plan
- Why this works:
- High-frequency topics and easy-mark items improve score per minute studied: Hattie, 2009
- 2-Day Biomolecules Sprint
- Redraw glucose forms, triglycerides, amino acids, dipeptides, phospholipids; drill definitions and bond types using concise syllabus-aligned notes: chem-bio.info AS Biology
2. Master Past Papers with a Progressive Approach
Use 2019–2026 papers; focus on 2022+ if short on time.
Stage 1: Open-notes mapping to command words (scaffolding improves schema): Sweller et al., 2011
Stage 2: Flexible timing + strict self-marking (feedback effect size ≈ 0.7): Hattie, 2009
Stage 3: Full timed runs for pacing and transfer: Ericsson, 2008
Resources that “speak the mark scheme”: Solved paper sets and AS Biology notes
3. Adopt Smart Exam Techniques
Prevent easy mark loss.
- Bullet key points; don’t over-explain: Hattie, 2009
- Match command words correctly: 2026 exam tips
- Skip tough calculations first; include units and sig figs
- Build a phrase bank such as “down a concentration gradient” and “complementary shape fits active site”: Solved papers approach
4. Structure Your Revision for Efficiency
- Week 1: High-yield biomolecules and core definitions
- Week 2: Past papers (Stages 1–2) plus targeted drills
- Week 3: Timed past papers (2022 onwards) with pacing practice
- Week 4: Weak areas review, flashcards, and full mock exams
Why this plan works:
Spaced retrieval and interleaving improve transfer: Cepeda et al., 2006
Pomodoro cycles reduce fatigue: Pomodoro evidence summary
Daily:
3–4 Pomodoros; 10–15 definitions; 1 calculation; 1 labelled diagram; maintain an error log: Hattie, 2009
5. Use Targeted Resources That Cut Noise
Stick to spec-aligned tools:
Realistic Expectations and Quick Start
With 10–14 days, you can raise scores by focusing on high-yield content, easy marks, and timed practice with feedback: Dunlosky et al., 2013
Start tonight
Make three one-pagers (definitions, biomolecule diagrams, phrase bank). Do one past paper section open-notes; self-mark and rewrite answers to match the scheme.
Track raw marks and error trends; adjust if progress stalls by tightening command-word matching and expanding phrase bank.
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IGCSE and IAL Guide for 2025 - 2026 Exams















