Presenting our new AS and A level Biology A (SNAB) qualifications

The new Pearson Edexcel Biology A The topics for AS Biology are the AS: A level:
specifications are available for AS and The specification
same as those for the first year Available in summer. Available in summer.
A level. These are linear qualifications. is divided into
All examination papers must be taken in the eight topics.
of A level, so that the two First assessment First assessment
specifications are co-teachable.
same series. summer 2016 summer 2017

Approaches to teaching AS and A level Biology A (SNAB) What you like about the Salters-Nuffield
The Salters-Nuffield (SNAB) course uses a series of contexts and online (SNAB) approach:
resources to provide an engaging approach to Biology. It can also be taught using • ‘It’s a great course!’
a concept-based approach.
• ‘We like the core practicals.’
We also offer new AS and A level Biology B qualifications.
• ‘The pre-release article is great for stimulating my
students’ interest in a wide range of topics.’
Paper 1 Paper 2
AS 50% weighting 50% weighting Note:
AS is a stand-alone New assessment of practical skills
Both papers 80 80 qualification.
marks marks A level is 100% externally assessed (no coursework)
include 1 hour 1 hour Marks achieved on
assessment and 30 Covers and 30 Covers Core practicals Teacher-assessed
minutes half the AS
AS papers do not
of maths and minutes half the AS appear in the practical
content content form part of the final
practical skills. specification competency,
A level grade.
content; based on core
Find out more Find out more practical-based practical activities,
questions are also reported alongside
in the exams. the A level grade.
Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3
A level Find out more
All papers include 33.3% weighting 33.3% weighting 33.3% weighting
assessment 100 100 100
of maths and marks marks marks Assessing mathematical skills
practical skills. Covers half the Covers half the 2
2 2 Covers all AS Makes up Maths needs to
Paper 3 includes
hours A level topics hours A level topics hours
and A level 10% of the be assessed at
questions on a and some AS and some AS
topics assessment Level 2 (GCSE
pre-release content content
and AS at Higher tier) or
article. Find out more Find out more Find out more A level. above.
U119a
How AS and A level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) will be assessed
AS paper 1
• Topic 1: Lifestyle, health and risk
• Topic 2: Genes and health
• Experimental methods (including
questions on core practicals) Back
A level paper 1
• Topic 5: On the wild side
• Topic 6: Immunity, infection and forensics
• Some AS topics
• Experimental methods (including
questions on core practicals) Back
A level paper 3
• General paper assessing topics across the AS • There are 18 core practicals that cover all of the 12
and A level qualifications
• Questions on a pre-release article
• Experimental methods (including
questions on core practicals) Back
AS paper 2
• Topic 3: Voice of the genome
• Topic 4: Biodiversity and natural resources
• Experimental methods (including
questions on core practicals) Back
A level paper 2
• Topic 7: Run for your life
• Topic 8: Grey matter
• Some AS topics
• Experimental methods (including
questions on core practicals) Back
Practical assessment
techniques required for the practical competency measure.
• Knowledge of all core practicals can be tested within exam
papers.
• Core practicals form part of the practical
competency assessment. Back