OCR Biology A Exam Thread (Breadth - May 26, 2016 and Depth - June 7, 2016)

What would 90-91/140 be? I hope it's a B

that would probably be a B.
I am guessing from looking at grade boundaries from previous years.
100/140 A
90/140 B
80/140 C

Although the spec is different, I think these grade boundaries are likely, unless ocr lowers them cos before 70% was an A but them papers were quite easy, so this time it might be about 68% if we are lucky 95/140 for an A. it cannot go any lower really

where are the unofficial markschemes???????????? pls

A could vary between 98 - 105 marks but I am hoping it is low. It is a new spec and tests knowledge for all of the content for both exams. Since this has been recently introduced, an A mark should roughly be 70-75%, as there were some straightforward questions as you have said and vast majority of other people did not enjoy the depth paper at all.

there isn't a proper unofficial mark scheme but there is one unfinished one written by a student on another thread. but that mark scheme covers most of the marks anyway about 65 out of the 70
here is the link
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4148503&page=6&p=65594591#post65594591
go to page 1

thank you

how well do you think you did overall in biology from having a look at the unofficial mark schemes

I think roughly 46 on Breadth and 46-47 on Depth, both fairly the same marks. I don't like the practical application questions which appeared a lot in combination of both papers. I think the Depth paper was basically just having the skill to apply your answers to different situations with the lipase activity as an example. Some mathematical stuff also was horrible in my opinion.

I was annoyed that both two papers did not cover important topics such as; cardiac cycle, DNA replication, translation, transcription, initiation and coordination of heart beat, transpiration and potometer, immunity including the role of antibodies+specific, non-specific immune systems, evolution with natural selection and the evidence for evolution, maintaining biodiversity+sampling, triglycerides and phospholipids... and many more. Lots of stuff in the specification did not appear, not even 40% I believe. Like they give you these information but do not ask for it in the actual exam and ask questions on practicals.. Really?.. It's a bit ridiculous in my opinion.. But Biology has always been like that anyway

how well do you think you did????

that would probably be a B.
I am guessing from looking at grade boundaries from previous years.
100/140 A
90/140 B
80/140 C

Although the spec is different, I think these grade boundaries are likely, unless ocr lowers them cos before 70% was an A but them papers were quite easy, so this time it might be about 68% if we are lucky 95/140 for an A. it cannot go any lower really

Hi,


I would really appreciate it if anyone could pm me and send me the practise papers for biology and chemistry (not the specimen paper).

many many thanks

What would 90-91/140 be? I hope it's a B

I'd say a high B. It was 66% for an A the last time a new spec was introduced so 92-93 for an A but I could see it being around 95 to be honest.

Did anyone find both papers MUCH easier than the practice papers? I did and was glad because I only got 37 on both papers on them but about 50 on these two!

Hey I do PM me your email address and Il send you them!

Does anybody have the 2015 practice papers breadth and depth they could possibly send me?