Sciences
ZIMSEC A-Level Biology
Syllabus topics
59 topics and subtopics in the 2015-2022 syllabus, examined from 1 Jan 2018.
- 2
Biological Molecules and Water
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.2). The matrix places enzymes under key concept 8.2.3 Proteins.
- 3
Cell and Nuclear Division
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.3).
- 4
Genetic Control
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.4).
- 6
Inherited Change and Evolution
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.5: the gene and genetic crosses) and Form 6 (8.10: natural and artificial selection).
- 7
Energetics
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.6).
- 8
Transport Systems
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.7: transport in plants) and Form 6 (8.11: the mammalian circulatory system).
- 9
Nervous Control
Form 6 (competency matrix 8.12).
- 10
Sexual Reproduction
Form 6 (competency matrix 8.13).
- 11
Ecology
Form 6 (competency matrix 8.14).
- 12
- 13
Human Health and Disease
Form 5 (competency matrix 8.8). The copy read prints only key concept 8.8.2; 8.8.1 and 8.8.3 are inferred from the scope and sequence (codes ours, see notes).
- P
Practical skills (Paper 4)
Not a content topic of the syllabus: this node is ours, from skill C (experimental skills and investigations) and the Paper 4 description (planning…
About this syllabus
The ZIMSEC A-Level Biology syllabus (Forms 5-6) has thirteen compulsory topics. Form 5 covers cell structure and microscopy, biological molecules and water (with enzymes), cell and nuclear division, genetic control, the gene and genetic crosses with the chi-squared test, energetics (ATP, photosynthesis including C4 plants, and respiration), transport in plants, and human health and disease. Form 6 covers gene technology, natural and artificial selection, the mammalian circulatory system, nervous control, sexual reproduction in plants and humans, ecology and conservation (with Zimbabwean examples such as the African elephant, the white rhinoceros, EMA and CAMPFIRE), and biodiversity and classification into five kingdoms.
How you are assessed
Continuous assessment (practical tests, written tests and a project, Terms 1-5) carries 30%. The examination carries 70%: Paper 1 multiple choice (1 hour, 40 marks, 11%), Paper 2 structured questions, all compulsory (1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks, 17%), Paper 3 seven short essay questions of 20 marks, answer five (2 hours, 100 marks, 28%) and Paper 4 a practical test of three compulsory questions (2 hours 30 minutes, 50 marks, 14%).
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