GCSE Biology (OCR): Free Mock Test & Practice Questions

Q: Why do people fail the GCSE Biology (OCR)?

Common reasons: Lack of scientific terminology in descriptive/explanatory answers; Misinterpreting data and practical activity questions; Insufficient in-depth knowledge for application and analysis (AO2/AO3) Figures checked October 2026.

GCSE Biology (OCR)

Cell biology, organisation, infection, bioenergetics, homeostasis, ecology. OCR board.

Written against the published specification.

About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our GCSE Biology (OCR) 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 OCR. 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 GCSE Biology (OCR) questions

Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 213 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.

Q1. Which structure controls the movement of substances into and out of an animal cell?

A. Cell wall
B. Cell membrane
C. Nucleus
D. Cytoplasm

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: B. Cell membrane

The cell membrane is a partially permeable barrier that regulates what enters and leaves the cell. The cell wall is only found in plant cells and provides structural support, not selective transport. The nucleus controls the cell's activities by holding genetic material, but it does not manage the movement of substances across the cell boundary.

Q2. Enzymes are described as biological catalysts. What does this mean?

A. They speed up reactions without being used up themselves
B. They speed up reactions and are used up in the process
C. They slow down reactions to allow digestion to occur safely
D. They are only found in the digestive system

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: A. They speed up reactions without being used up themselves

A catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed or consumed itself, so one enzyme molecule can be reused repeatedly. This is different from a reactant, which is used up during the reaction.

Q3. A student says that antibodies produced against the flu virus will also work against the chickenpox virus. Why is this statement incorrect?

A. Antibodies are non-specific and destroy any pathogen equally
B. Antibodies have a shape complementary to a specific antigen, so each type only matches one pathogen's antigens
C. Antibodies only work against bacteria, not viruses
D. Antibodies are only produced after a person has fully recovered

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: B. Antibodies have a shape complementary to a specific antigen, so each type only matches one pathogen's antigens

Each antibody has a shape that is complementary to a specific antigen found on a particular pathogen, so antibodies produced against flu antigens will not fit and bind to the different antigens on chickenpox virus. This specificity is why a separate immune response is needed for each new pathogen encountered.

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.

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Topic drills

Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.

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The real GCSE Biology (OCR): format

How many questions are in the GCSE Biology (OCR)?

The real GCSE Biology (OCR) has 2 questions and lasts 210 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the GCSE Biology (OCR) cost?

Resit fee: £100-£500. Rebooking after a fail: Resits are typically only available in the summer exam series (May/June) the following year for standard GCSE Biology.

How hard is it

What is the GCSE Biology (OCR) pass rate?

Real exam first-time pass rate: Approx. 67-89.6% (national average for Grade 4+ across all boards). Difficulty: Perceived as challenging due to advanced topics previously taught at A-level.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the GCSE Biology (OCR)?

Lack of scientific terminology in descriptive/explanatory answers.
Misinterpreting data and practical activity questions.
Insufficient in-depth knowledge for application and analysis (AO2/AO3).

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.

GCSE Biology (OCR): common questions

Frequently asked

What is the pass mark for the GCSE Biology (OCR)?

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 OCR.