(: 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS - Complete Study963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/2H
Paper 2 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
256G8461/2h/MS
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
,(: 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS - Complete Study963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
, (: 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS - Complete Study963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2025
Information to Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/2H
Paper 2 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
256G8461/2h/MS
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
,(: 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS - Complete Study963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
, (: 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS - Complete Study963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
Guide and Practice Test Review). 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2025
Information to Examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the examiner make their judgement
• the Assessment Objectives and specification content that each question is intended to cover.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent (for example, a scientifically correct answer that could not reasonably be expected from a
student’s knowledge of the specification).
2. Emboldening and underlining
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
Alternative words in the mark scheme are shown by a solidus eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
3
3/7/2026, 7:45:08 PM 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf 963104294-Biology-Paper-2-MS.pdf
