The Student Room Group

Biology Essay

I am sitting biology aqa in 2026 and I am wondering how I should go about revising for the biology essay.
Is there a book to get that will help? Do I need to do some essay plans for lots of different topics? Any guidance would be really appreciated as I am feeling a bit in the dark.
Thank you in advance

Reply 1

Original post
by eb-1
I am sitting biology aqa in 2026 and I am wondering how I should go about revising for the biology essay.
Is there a book to get that will help? Do I need to do some essay plans for lots of different topics? Any guidance would be really appreciated as I am feeling a bit in the dark.
Thank you in advance


Hi eb-1! I got an A* in Aqa biology last year and actually got the highest on paper 3. I did loads of essay plans and then also lots of timed essay practices that my teacher marked. And then closer to the exam, I made flashcard plans on some of the common and predicated essay topics. Miss Estruch on YouTube was really good for talking through the essay mark scheme and essay planning. I remember feeling really daunted by the essay, and I did badly on my first few before I fully understood what the examiner wants. Feel free to ask anything else!

Reply 2

Original post
by eb-1
I am sitting biology aqa in 2026 and I am wondering how I should go about revising for the biology essay.
Is there a book to get that will help? Do I need to do some essay plans for lots of different topics? Any guidance would be really appreciated as I am feeling a bit in the dark.
Thank you in advance


Hi,

As mentioned above, I’d recommend making essay plans for a range of topics, then doing a few practice questions and getting them marked by your teachers. It’s also really helpful to read examiner reports so you understand what they’re looking for.

Miss Estruch on YouTube is also great for walkthroughs on essay technique and structure. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOfYYgIrtVMgl8UjNXvH6BbTotxexhvXW&si=bv3H5Yb4Kblh0NC0

Hope this helps, good luck with your studies!

Tayba
Student Rep
Original post
by eb-1
I am sitting biology aqa in 2026 and I am wondering how I should go about revising for the biology essay.
Is there a book to get that will help? Do I need to do some essay plans for lots of different topics? Any guidance would be really appreciated as I am feeling a bit in the dark.
Thank you in advance
@always-anxious
Original post
by eb-1
I am sitting biology aqa in 2026 and I am wondering how I should go about revising for the biology essay.
Is there a book to get that will help? Do I need to do some essay plans for lots of different topics? Any guidance would be really appreciated as I am feeling a bit in the dark.
Thank you in advance

As others have mentioned, Ms Estruch Biology has various videos on the biology essay which are useful. iirc she also does predictions for the essay close to exam period which could help you focus your revision on certain areas if needed.

Reply 5

Original post
by LittleFire10
Hi eb-1! I got an A* in Aqa biology last year and actually got the highest on paper 3. I did loads of essay plans and then also lots of timed essay practices that my teacher marked. And then closer to the exam, I made flashcard plans on some of the common and predicated essay topics. Miss Estruch on YouTube was really good for talking through the essay mark scheme and essay planning. I remember feeling really daunted by the essay, and I did badly on my first few before I fully understood what the examiner wants. Feel free to ask anything else!

Wow! Congrats. That’s really inspiring.
Do you have a list of topics/titles which I can essay plan off? That would really help, thank you

Reply 6

Original post
by eb-1
Wow! Congrats. That’s really inspiring.
Do you have a list of topics/titles which I can essay plan off? That would really help, thank you


Sorry I got rid off all of my revision materials and stuff after results day! But my advice would be to go through all of the past papers and write town the topic of each of the essays (I know it’s a long process but it’s worth it) . Then basically look for common themes and essay plan those. I actually wrote essays or at least made plans for almost every past paper, but only revised about 7 of the most common topics.

Reply 7

Original post
by LittleFire10
Sorry I got rid off all of my revision materials and stuff after results day! But my advice would be to go through all of the past papers and write town the topic of each of the essays (I know it’s a long process but it’s worth it) . Then basically look for common themes and essay plan those. I actually wrote essays or at least made plans for almost every past paper, but only revised about 7 of the most common topics.

I will take all of that advice on board, thank you!

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.