Knowing exactly what's on each paper is half the battle. Here's your complete guide to the topics covered in Biology, Chemistry and Physics Papers 1 and 2 for AQA, OCR Gateway, and Pearson Edexcel.
🧬 Biology
AQA Biology
Paper 1 (Topics 1–4)
- Cell Biology
- Organisation
- Infection & Response
- Bioenergetics
Paper 2 (Topics 5–7)
- Homeostasis & Response
- Inheritance, Variation & Evolution
- Ecology
OCR Gateway Biology
Paper 1 (B1–B3)
- B1: You and Your Genes
- B2: Keeping Healthy
- B3: Living Together – Food and Ecosystems
Paper 2 (B4–B6)
- B4: Using Food and Making New Foods
- B5: The Human Body – Stay in Control
- B6: Life on Earth – Past, Present and Future
Pearson Edexcel Biology
Paper 1 (Topics 1–5)
- Key Concepts in Biology
- Cells and Control
- Genetics
- Natural Selection and Genetic Modification
- Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines
Paper 2 (Topics 6–9)
- Plant Structures and Their Functions
- Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis
- Exchange and Transport in Animals
- Ecosystems and Material Cycles
⚗️ Chemistry
AQA Chemistry
Paper 1 (Topics 1–5)
- Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
- Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter
- Quantitative Chemistry
- Chemical Changes
- Energy Changes
Paper 2 (Topics 6–10)
- The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Analysis
- Chemistry of the Atmosphere
- Using Resources
OCR Gateway Chemistry
Paper 1 (C1–C3)
- C1: The Periodic Table
- C2: Bonding, Structure and Properties
- C3: Chemical Quantities
Paper 2 (C4–C6)
- C4: Chemical Changes
- C5: Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions
- C6: Global Challenges
Pearson Edexcel Chemistry
Paper 1 (Topics 1–5)
- Key Concepts in Chemistry
- States of Matter and Mixtures
- Chemical Changes
- Extracting Metals and Equilibria
- Separate Chemistry 1 (Higher only)
Paper 2 (Topics 6–9)
- Groups in the Periodic Table
- Rates of Reaction and Energy Changes
- Fuels and Earth Science
- Separate Chemistry 2 (Higher only)
⚡ Physics
AQA Physics
Paper 1 (Topics 1–4)
- Energy
- Electricity
- Particle Model of Matter
- Atomic Structure
Paper 2 (Topics 5–8)
- Forces
- Waves
- Magnetism & Electromagnetism
- Space Physics (Higher only)
OCR Gateway Physics
Paper 1 (P1–P3)
- P1: Matter
- P2: Forces
- P3: Electricity
Paper 2 (P4–P6)
- P4: Magnetism and Magnetic Effects
- P5: Waves in Matter
- P6: Radioactivity
Pearson Edexcel Physics
Paper 1 (Topics 1–5)
- Key Concepts of Physics
- Motion and Forces
- Conservation of Energy
- Waves
- Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Paper 2 (Topics 6–9)
- Radioactivity
- Astronomy
- Energy – Forces Doing Work
- Forces and Their Effects
📝 Quick Tips for Revision
- Focus Paper 1 first — it's often sat earlier in the exam window
- Use past papers to identify which topics carry the most marks
- Don't neglect required practicals — they appear in both papers
- Higher tier students should pay extra attention to topics marked Higher only
Looking for revision resources? Browse our topic-specific worksheets, retrieval question packs and calculation practice sheets — all organised by exam board and topic.
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