BIOLOGY-B-ADVANCING-BIOLOGY-H422 · Cambridge OCR A Level
BIOLOGY-B-ADVANCING-BIOLOGY-H422/11
Paper 1
Biology B Advancing Biology · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
270
360 min
Photosynthesis, Food Production, and Ecosystem Management
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty.
The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies.
Rather than relying on simple recall, the papers targeted cognitive synthesis, especially in the Advance Notice section on exercise-induced acidosis and the statistical evaluation of agricultural trials.
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 & UAO2
Weight: 3100%Application oAO3
Weight: 267%Scientific
Weight: 133%
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. 57% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 36% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 22% 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Photosynthesis, food production and management of the environment
32 marks this session
The impact of population increase
22 marks this session
Cellular respiration
18 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
Photosynthesis, food production and management of the environment
The heart and monitoring heart function
The developing individual: meiosis, growth and development
The immune system
The impact of population increase
The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
Cellular respiration
The development of species: evolution and classification
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
H422/01 Fundamentals of biology: H422/02 Scientific literacy in biology: H422/03 Practical skills in biology:
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
Photosynthesis, food production and management of the environment
32 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe impact of population increase
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCellular respiration
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty.
- 2Message
The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies.
- 3Message
Rather than relying on simple recall, the papers targeted cognitive synthesis, especially in the Advance Notice section on exercise-induced acidosis and the statistical evaluation of agricultural trials.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Biology B Advancing Biology
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty. The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies. Rather than relying on simple
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty.
The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies.
Rather than relying on simple recall, the papers targeted cognitive synthesis, especially in the Advance Notice section on exercise-induced acidosis and the statistical evaluation of agricultural trials.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty. The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies. Rather than relying on simple recall, the papers targeted cognitive synthesis, especially in the Advance Notice section on exercise-induced acidosis and the statistical evaluation of agricultural trials.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
H422/01 Fundamentals of biology: H422/02 Scientific literacy in biology: H422/03 Practical skills in biology:
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.
70% 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
114·44·42%
Short Answer
90·60·33%
Level of Response
36·6·13%
Multiple Choice
30·30·11%
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.
H422/01 Section A (
0.75 m/minH422/01 Section B (
0.84 m/minH422/03 (Practical
0.67 m/minTotal marks
170
Total time
225 min
Avg pace
0.76
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Meiosis and Genetic Variation
85%85%
The Nervous System & Action Potentials
82%82%
Plant Transport Systems & Translocation
78%78%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The June 2022 suite of papers for OCR Biology B represents a solid Level 4 difficulty. The exam papers required students to move seamlessly between complex mathematical models, raw scientific data interpretation, and high-level medical case studies. Rather than relying on simple recall, the papers targeted cognitive synthesis, especially in the Advance Notice section on exercise-induced acidosis and the statistical evaluation of agricultural trials.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.