9700 · Cambridge International AS Level
9700/23
AS Level Structured Questions
Biology · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
4.0 / 5
140
270 min
Enzyme action and kinetics (including laccase and yeast fermentation)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
270 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers.
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions) stood out for its highly modern, molecular-focused questions.
Key topics like Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and synthetic nucleic acid bases pushed students to apply core concepts of the cell cycle and DNA replication to entirely novel situations.
Paper 33 (Practical Skills) was highly rigorous, testing precision in microscopic observations and mathematical conversions.
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: 6100%Biological
Weight: 583%Application &
Weight: 467%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 350%Drawing & Interpretation
Weight: 233%Microsc
Weight: 117%
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. 71% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
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
Enzymes
26 marks this session
Cell structure
20 marks this session
Transport in plants
17 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
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
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
Enzymes
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCell structure
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTransport in plants
17 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 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers.
- 2Message
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions) stood out for its highly modern, molecular-focused questions.
- 3Message
Key topics like Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and synthetic nucleic acid bases pushed students to apply core concepts of the cell cycle and DNA replication to entirely novel situations.
- 4Message
Paper 33 (Practical Skills) was highly rigorous, testing precision in microscopic observations and mathematical conversions.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology
The May/June 2024 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers. Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions)
The May/June 2024 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers.
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions) stood out for its highly modern, molecular-focused questions.
Key topics like Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and synthetic nucleic acid bases pushed students to apply core concepts of the cell cycle and DNA replication to entirely novel situations.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 270 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers. Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions) stood out for its highly modern, molecular-focused questions. Key topics like Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and synthetic nucleic acid bases pushed students to apply core concepts of the cell cycle and DNA replication to entirely novel situations. Paper 33 (Practical Skills) was highly rigorous, testing precision in microscopic observations and mathematical conversions.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured Questions):
Paper 33 (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.
79% 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/Short Answer
60·6·43%
Multiple Choice
40·40·29%
Practical/Drawing/Investigation
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 13 MCQs
0.80 m/minPaper 23 Theory
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.
Active Transport and Fluid Mosaic Membrane Protein Roles
90%90%
Monoclonal Antibodies and their Diagnostic/Therapeutic Roles
85%85%
Executive Summary & Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 series for Biology (9700) presents a standard yet intellectually stimulating suite of papers. Paper 13 (Multiple Choice) maintained a steady level of challenge with standard mathematical and biochemical reasoning questions, while Paper 23 (Structured Questions) stood out for its highly modern, molecular-focused questions. Key topics like Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and synthetic nucleic acid bases pushed students to apply core concepts of the cell cycle and DNA replication to entirely novel situations. Paper 33 (Practical Skills) was highly rigorous, testing precision in microscopic observations and mathematical conversions.
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.