2025 OCR GCSE Combined Science A PAPER 9 + MARK SCHEME

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OCR GCSE Combined Science A – Paper 9: Biology 2 (Higher Tier) (J250/09) – Question Paper + Mark Scheme (2025)

This paper assesses students’ understanding of the Biology 2 topics in the OCR GCSE Combined Science A (9–1) specification at Higher Tier level, focusing on application, analysis, and scientific reasoning.

Paper 9 covers Biology 2 content, including:

Homeostasis and response – nervous and hormonal coordination, control systems
Inheritance, variation, and evolution – DNA, genes, variation, and natural selection
Health, disease, and the development of medicines
Ecosystems and material cycles – nutrient cycles, biodiversity, and human impacts

The exam includes multiple-choice questions, structured questions, calculations, data interpretation, practical-based questions, and extended responses, requiring students to apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar contexts.

The included mark scheme provides:

Detailed marking points and accepted answers
Guidance for calculations and data analysis
Level-of-response descriptors for extended questions
Examiner notes explaining how marks are awarded

This resource is ideal for exam revision, mock assessments, classroom teaching, and independent study, helping students refine exam technique and achieve higher grades in Combined Science Biology.