Practise for the national exam the way it really feels. This paper follows the structure, question types, marks and timing of the NESA Senior 6 (A-Level) Biology exam.
These questions simulate the national exam. They are original Ganzaa questions written in the same format as the NESA papers — not the official NESA papers, and not endorsed by NESA. The official papers stay free on our past papers page.
10 versions of every question, so each attempt is a fresh paper with the same structure.
180 minutes, 100 marks, the same sections and question types as the national exam.
Your score, the correct answer to every question and a clear explanation of why.
Section A
Attempt ALL questions in this section. (55 marks)
Section B
Attempt any THREE questions in this section. (30 marks)
Answer any 3 of 5
Section C
Attempt only ONE question in this section. (15 marks)
Answer any 1 of 2
A taste of the paper. Every exam you sit has different questions in this style.
Sample 1 · DNA replication
DNA replication must be completed before a cell divides.
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication take place?
Answer: S phase
DNA is copied during the S (synthesis) phase of interphase, so each chromosome has two identical chromatids before mitosis begins.
Sample 2 · Classification of reptiles
Crocodylus niloticus is the scientific name of the Nile crocodile. The table below shows its classification, but three entries are missing.
| Taxonomic rank | Taxon |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| (1) …… | Chordata |
| (2) …… | Reptilia |
| Order | Crocodilia |
| Family | Crocodylidae |
| Genus | Crocodylus |
| (3) …… | niloticus |
Choose the word that should be written in blank (1).
Answer: Phylum
Blank (1) is the rank Phylum, the group below kingdom. Chordata are animals with a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord and gill slits at some stage.
Sample 3 · Aerobic respiration
The diagram below shows the main stages of aerobic respiration of one glucose molecule.
State precisely where in the cell the reactions in box A occur.
Answer: cytoplasm
Box A is glycolysis, which takes place in the cytoplasm.
