7401 · AQA AS Level
7401/11
Paper 1
Biology · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
150
180 min
DNA and protein synthesis
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills.
Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with complex experimental data interpretation and non-trivial calculations.
A major emphasis was placed on the mechanics of protein synthesis, membrane transport, and statistical data analysis.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Recall & Understanding
Weight: 5100%Scientific
Weight: 480%Calculations & Application
Weight: 360%Experimental
Weight: 240%Evaluation & Analysis
Weight: 120%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A
Approx. 67% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 59% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
DNA and protein synthesis
22 marks this session
Biodiversity within a community / Investigating diversity
18 marks this session
Cell recognition and the immune system
15 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Mass transport
Cell recognition and the immune system
DNA and protein synthesis
All cells arise from other cells
Biodiversity within a community / Investigating diversity
Gas exchange
Cell structure
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (7401/1):
Paper 2 (7401/2):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
DNA and protein synthesis
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBiodiversity within a community / Investigating diversity
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCell recognition and the immune system
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills.
- 2Message
Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with complex experimental data interpretation and non-trivial calculations.
- 3Message
A major emphasis was placed on the mechanics of protein synthesis, membrane transport, and statistical data analysis.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills. Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with com
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills.
Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with complex experimental data interpretation and non-trivial calculations.
A major emphasis was placed on the mechanics of protein synthesis, membrane transport, and statistical data analysis.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills. Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with complex experimental data interpretation and non-trivial calculations. A major emphasis was placed on the mechanics of protein synthesis, membrane transport, and statistical data analysis.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (7401/1):
Paper 2 (7401/2):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
75% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Data Interpretation & Calculation
(AO2)
58·18·39%
Short Answer
(AO1 recall)
54·22·36%
Experimental Design & Evaluation
(AO3)
38·11·25%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Questions 1…
0.82 m/minPaper 1 Questions 6…
0.84 m/minPaper 2 Questions 1…
0.82 m/minTotal marks
108
Total time
130 min
Avg pace
0.83
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Lipids (Structure, Properties and Biochemical Tests)
5%5%
Monomers and polymers
5%5%
Executive Summary & Difficulty Verdict
The AQA AS Biology 2024 series (Papers 1 and 2) presents a formidable assessment that tests core biological principles alongside rigorous mathematical and analytical skills. Standing at a solid 4 stars out of 5 for difficulty, this exam balanced standard recall questions with complex experimental data interpretation and non-trivial calculations. A major emphasis was placed on the mechanics of protein synthesis, membrane transport, and statistical data analysis.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The 'Bohr Effect' Forbidden Zone: In Paper 1, Question 6.2, candidates were explicitly instructed not to refer to the Bohr effect when describing the effect of hydrogen ions on proteins. Many disregarded this instruction and lost credit.
- Mitosis vs. Meiosis Confusions: In Edwards' syndrome questions, students frequently confused chromatids and homologous chromosomes when explaining meiotic non-disjunction.
- Immunology Terminology: Candidates frequently substituted "clumping" or "agglutination" with "clotting", which is an entirely different physiological process and is not credited in antigen-antibody questions.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Short Structured Questions
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.