Higher exam guide
Higher Biology
Course code C807 76 · Specification Version 4.0, June 2026 · valid from 2026–27
Your 2027 exam
- Question paper
- – BST
Published national times, in UK local time. Confirm your personal timetable, room and any assessment arrangements with your school or college. Coursework deadlines are set by your centre.
- Results day
- National contingency day
Qualifications Scotland timetable · Version 02, August 2026 · checked .
What changed for 2027?
For 2027, a single 100-mark paper replaces the previous two-paper format. The assignment is scaled to 25 marks.
How the exam is marked
125 course marks after scaling
Question paper
100 marks
80% of the course result
2 hours 30 minutes
Section 1: 20 multiple-choice marks. Section 2: 80 marks for restricted and extended responses. Both sections share one sitting.
Assignment
20 marks
Scaled to 25 course marks · 20% of the course result
8 hours (max 2 hours for the report)
Investigation and report, marked by Qualifications Scotland.
Course areas and revision checklist
Use this summary alongside the full official specification. ScotSpark practice covers selected skills, not every item below; your teacher can help you fill the gaps.
DNA and the genome
- Structure of DNA
- Replication of DNA and PCR
- Gene expression
- Cellular differentiation
- Structure of the genome
- Mutations
- Evolution
- Genomic sequencing
Metabolism and survival
- Metabolic pathways
- Cellular respiration
- Metabolic rate
- Metabolism in conformers and regulators
- Metabolism and adverse conditions
- Environmental control of metabolism
- Genetic control of metabolism
Sustainability and interdependence
- Food supply, plant growth and productivity
- Plant and animal breeding
- Crop protection
- Animal welfare
- Symbiosis
- Social behaviour
- Components of biodiversity
- Threats to biodiversity
Exam technique
- From 2026–27 there is a single 100-mark question paper, not two papers.
- Use exact course terms, such as "complementary base pairing" and "non-random increase in frequency".
- In experiment questions, name the independent variable and a variable to keep constant.
Version 4.0, June 2026 · checked . Qualifications Scotland replaced SQA in February 2026; official documents may still use the SQA name. Check for later updates and confirm arrangements with your teacher.