AQA AS BIOLOGY 7401/1 Paper 1 Mark scheme June 2026

AS BIOLOGY 7401/1 Paper 1 Mark scheme June 2026 

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 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.