About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our A-Level Biology (AQA) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by AQA. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Q1. Which property of water is directly responsible for water molecules being drawn up together through the narrow xylem vessels of a plant?
A. Cohesion between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding
B. High solvent capacity for polar molecules
C. High specific heat capacity
D. Low density of ice compared to liquid water
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. Cohesion between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding
Water molecules are polar, so hydrogen bonds form between the slightly negative oxygen of one molecule and the slightly positive hydrogen of another. This cohesion lets water molecules pull on each other, sustaining a continuous column in the xylem. Specific heat capacity and solvent properties are also due to hydrogen bonding but do not explain cohesion itself.
Q2. Ribosomes found free in the cytoplasm typically synthesise proteins that will
A. be secreted from the cell
B. function within the cytoplasm itself
C. be inserted into the plasma membrane
D. be packaged by the Golgi apparatus
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. function within the cytoplasm itself
Free ribosomes synthesise proteins that remain and function in the cytosol, such as many metabolic enzymes. Proteins destined for secretion, membrane insertion, or Golgi processing are instead made on ribosomes bound to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Q3. Bony fish ventilate their gills using a buccal-opercular pump. Which sequence correctly describes one part of this process?
A. The mouth opens and the buccal cavity floor lowers, drawing water in, while the operculum stays closed to increase pressure and force water over the gills
B. The operculum opens first, sucking water in through the mouth by reducing pressure in the opercular cavity
C. Water is pushed over the gills by contraction of muscles in the gill filaments themselves
D. The fish reverses the direction of water flow by beating its tail against the current
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. The mouth opens and the buccal cavity floor lowers, drawing water in, while the operculum stays closed to increase pressure and force water over the gills
During inspiration, the mouth opens and the floor of the buccal cavity is lowered, increasing its volume and decreasing pressure so water is drawn in; the operculum remains closed. Pressure is then increased by raising the buccal floor and closing the mouth, forcing water over the gills and out through the opercular valve, maintaining a continuous, largely one-way flow.
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Who has to sit the A-Level Biology (AQA)
Who needs a A-Level Biology (AQA)?
School leavers, adult learners, career changers, or resitters, especially those aiming for university degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, biomedical science, or life sciences.
The real A-Level Biology (AQA): format
How many questions are in the A-Level Biology (AQA)?
The real A-Level Biology (AQA) has 3 questions and lasts 360 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the A-Level Biology (AQA) cost?
Real exam fee: Typically £150-£400, includes exam board and centre administration fees for private candidates. Resit fee: Typically £340-£450, includes exam board and centre administration fees for private candidates.
How hard is it
What is the A-Level Biology (AQA) pass rate?
Real exam first-time pass rate: 95.9% (A*-E pass rate for AQA A-Level Biology in 2026)
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the A-Level Biology (AQA)?
Using imprecise biological terminology (e.g., 'killed' instead of 'denatured').
Misinterpreting command words, confusing 'describe' with 'explain'.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
A-Level Biology (AQA): common questions
Frequently asked
What is the pass mark for the A-Level Biology (AQA)?
You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 60%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with AQA.