9700 · Cambridge International AS Level
9700/21
AS Level Structured Questions
Biology · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.8 / 5
140
270 min
Cell Membranes & Osmosis Investigations
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5).
Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminator questions that required deep biochemical thinking.
Paper 31 remained highly accessible for students who prepared thoroughly for standard wet-lab protocols, though it demanded precise biological drawing technique and exact calculations of percentage changes.
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.
Knowledge Retrieval
Weight: 7100%Data & Graphical Analysis
Weight: 571%Mathematical Experimental
Weight: 457%Analytical Application
Weight: 229%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A
Approx. 74% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 69% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 44% 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
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: 1.3
Min per mark: 0
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Cell membranes and transport
25 marks this session
Cell structure
20 marks this session
Testing for biological molecules
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
Cell structure
Transport in plants
Cell structure (Biology (AS Level))
Cell membranes and transport
Cell membranes and transport (Biology (AS Level))
Enzymes
Transport in mammals
Biological molecules (Biology (AS Level))
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
9700/11 Multiple Choice: 9700/21 AS Level Structured Questions: 9700/31 Advanced Practical Skills 1:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to explain how alternative splicing of primary transcripts contributes to generating over 10^12 different antibodies, often mistakenly mentioning standard transcriptional features like caps or tails.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Cell membranes and transport
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCell structure
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTesting for biological molecules
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 May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5).
- 2Message
Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminator questions that required deep biochemical thinking.
- 3Message
Paper 31 remained highly accessible for students who prepared thoroughly for standard wet-lab protocols, though it demanded precise biological drawing technique and exact calculations of percentage changes.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology
The May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5). Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminato
The May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5).
Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminator questions that required deep biochemical thinking.
Paper 31 remained highly accessible for students who prepared thoroughly for standard wet-lab protocols, though it demanded precise biological drawing technique and exact calculations of percentage changes.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5). Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminator questions that required deep biochemical thinking. Paper 31 remained highly accessible for students who prepared thoroughly for standard wet-lab protocols, though it demanded precise biological drawing technique and exact calculations of percentage changes.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
9700/11 Multiple Choice: 9700/21 AS Level Structured Questions: 9700/31 Advanced Practical Skills 1:
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.
80% 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.
Structured Questions
60·6·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical/Experimental Work
40·2·29%
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 11 Multiple C…
0.80 m/minPaper 21 Structured…
20.05 m/minTotal marks
461
Total time
95 min
Avg pace
4.85
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
DNA Replication (Semi-conservative mechanism)
88%88%
Enzyme Kinetics and Immobilisation
82%82%
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 Biology (9700) series presented a balanced yet demanding challenge, leaning slightly toward the upper end of medium difficulty (3.83.83.8 out of 5). Paper 11 tested fine details of calculations and cellular structure, while Paper 21 had several high-discriminator questions that required deep biochemical thinking. Paper 31 remained highly accessible for students who prepared thoroughly for standard wet-lab protocols, though it demanded precise biological drawing technique and exact calculations of percentage changes.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 46%
- Question types
- Structured Questions
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.