About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our A-Level Biology (Edexcel) 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 Edexcel. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Start with a free topic drill, see where you stand, then unlock the full mock.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real A-Level Biology (Edexcel) questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 239 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. Water molecules are described as dipolar. What does this mean?
A. The molecule has an unequal distribution of charge, with a slightly negative oxygen and slightly positive hydrogens
B. The molecule carries a full positive charge on one side and a full negative charge on the other
C. The molecule can donate two hydrogen bonds and accept none
D. The molecule has two separate covalent bonds that never break
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. The molecule has an unequal distribution of charge, with a slightly negative oxygen and slightly positive hydrogens
Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so it pulls the shared electrons closer, giving oxygen a slight negative charge (δ−) and each hydrogen a slight positive charge (δ+). This uneven charge distribution, not a full charge, is what makes water polar and able to form hydrogen bonds.
Q2. A cell that secretes large amounts of protein hormones would be expected to have an unusually extensive network of which organelle?
A. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, because it folds secreted proteins
B. Peroxisomes, because they package proteins into vesicles
C. Rough endoplasmic reticulum, because ribosomes on its surface synthesise and fold secretory proteins
D. Lysosomes, because they synthesise new polypeptides
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Rough endoplasmic reticulum, because ribosomes on its surface synthesise and fold secretory proteins
Rough endoplasmic reticulum is studded with ribosomes that synthesise proteins destined for secretion, and its lumen allows initial folding and processing before the proteins are sent to the Golgi apparatus. Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and instead specialises in lipid synthesis, while lysosomes only contain digestive enzymes and do not synthesise polypeptides.
Q3. Fluid can be drawn into the ends of insect tracheoles during periods of high activity such as flight. What is the functional significance of this?
A. It shortens the diffusion pathway for oxygen by increasing the air-filled volume closer to cells
B. Water is withdrawn from the tracheole tips into surrounding cells, increasing the air-filled length and shortening the diffusion distance for oxygen
C. It creates a countercurrent system that increases the rate of carbon dioxide removal
D. It prevents desiccation of the flight muscles during prolonged activity
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. Water is withdrawn from the tracheole tips into surrounding cells, increasing the air-filled length and shortening the diffusion distance for oxygen
During intense activity, anaerobic respiration in the muscles produces solutes that lower the water potential of the cells, drawing fluid out of the tracheole tips. This increases the air-filled portion of the tracheole, shortening the diffusion distance for oxygen to reach respiring cells.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
40 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 8 of 40 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
Try it free
Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
1 free drill left.
Who has to sit the A-Level Biology (Edexcel)
Who needs a A-Level Biology (Edexcel)?
Students aiming for university degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, biomedical science, biochemistry, and related life sciences.
The real A-Level Biology (Edexcel): format
How many questions are in the A-Level Biology (Edexcel)?
The real A-Level Biology (Edexcel) 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 (Edexcel) cost?
Real exam fee: £340-£565 (private candidate total, includes exam board fee and centre admin). Resit fee: £340-£565 (private candidate total, includes exam board fee and centre admin). Rebooking after a fail: Exams are held annually in the May/June series; no November resit window.
How hard is it
What is the A-Level Biology (Edexcel) pass rate?
Real exam first-time pass rate: Approx. 96.0% (A*-E across all boards in 2026, not specific to 'first-time'). Difficulty: High, due to massive content volume, demand for exact scientific keywords, and application to unfamiliar scenarios.
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the A-Level Biology (Edexcel)?
Misreading questions or failing to apply knowledge to provided data/graphs.
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 (Edexcel): common questions
Frequently asked
What is the pass mark for the A-Level Biology (Edexcel)?
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 Edexcel.