Sciences
ZIMSEC O-Level Biology
Syllabus topics
59 topics and subtopics in the 2015-2022 syllabus, examined from 1 Jan 2018.
- 1
Safety, careers and branches in biology
Listed as 'Branches of Biology' in the syllabus topic list (6.0).
- 3
Cells and cellular activities
Form 3 only (there is no Form 4 matrix for this topic).
Experimental skills
Not one of the eleven syllabus topics: groups the practical and experimental skills that the syllabus objectives require and that Paper 3 (practical…
About this syllabus
ZIMSEC O-Level Biology is a two-year course for Forms 3 and 4. It develops knowledge, understanding and practical skills in biochemistry, cell biology, plant and animal (including human) structure and physiology, microbiology and biotechnology, genetics, biodiversity, ecology, and health and disease, using local organisms, crops, livestock and health issues so that learners can apply biology to their own lives, to further study and careers, and to Zimbabwe's sustainable development.
How you are assessed
In the 2015 syllabus document the final assessment combines continuous assessment (40%: practical tests, theory tests and end-of-term examinations during Forms 3 and 4) with a summative ZIMSEC examination (60%) of three papers: Paper 1 (1 hour; 40 compulsory multiple-choice items; 40 marks; 30% of the examination), Paper 2 (2 hours; 100 marks; Section A: six compulsory structured questions of 10 marks each; Section B: four questions chosen from six, 10 marks each; 40%) and Paper 3 (a practical examination of 1 hour 30 minutes with two compulsory questions; 40 marks; 30%). Papers 1 and 2 assess knowledge and comprehension (60%) and handling information and solving problems (40%); Paper 3 assesses experimental skills. Continuous assessment learning activities were later replaced by school-based projects under the Heritage-Based Curriculum: confirm the current scheme with ZIMSEC.
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