European Baccalaureate Biology cheat sheet

The L1 written paper normally combines a reading-comprehension section (unseen text) with a written production task; marks are split between comprehension, structure, and language accuracy.

Argumentative essay structure: thesis stated in the introduction, one idea per paragraph, each paragraph = claim + evidence + comment, conclusion that answers the question rather than summarises.

Text-type conventions matter: article, letter to the editor, speech, and opinion piece each have expected openings, register, and sign-offs that examiners reward.

Cohesion devices to deploy explicitly: connectors of addition, contrast, cause, consequence, concession, and exemplification; varied sentence length is a scored feature.

Register control: avoid colloquialisms in formal tasks, avoid archaic connectors in informal ones; consistency of 'tu/vous' or equivalent address forms is checked.

Commentary tasks require quotation integrated into your own syntax, identification of stylistic devices by name, and an effect statement (what it does to the reader).

Time allocation rule: roughly 25% of the time reading and annotating, 15% planning, 50% writing, 10% proofreading for agreement, tense, and punctuation.

Word-count limits are binding; going far over or under typically costs structure marks even when content is strong.

L2 written papers are graded on the CEFR grid: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical range, grammatical range, and accuracy are separate criteria.

Reading comprehension answers must be paraphrased, not copied; lifted sentences are usually not credited because they do not demonstrate understanding.

Summary tasks: keep the original proportion of ideas, drop examples, use reported speech, and target roughly one third of the source length unless told otherwise.

Listening sections penalise over-writing: answer the question asked, in the language of the paper, with the number of elements requested.

Grammar traps that recur: subjunctive after expressions of necessity, sequence of tenses in reported speech, and preposition choice with verbs of movement and place.

Lexical range is scored, so replace generic verbs (do, make, get) with precise ones and use collocations rather than word-for-word translation from L1.

Translation tasks reward meaning transfer plus natural target syntax; literal calques are the main source of lost marks.

Register and formulaic phrases for formal correspondence (opening, request, complaint, closing) should be memorised as fixed chunks.

Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a; discriminant Δ = b² − 4ac gives two, one, or no real roots for Δ > 0, = 0, < 0.

Derivative rules: (xⁿ)′ = nxⁿ⁻¹, (eˣ)′ = eˣ, (ln x)′ = 1/x, (sin x)′ = cos x, (cos x)′ = −sin x; product, quotient, and chain rules applied in that order of preference.

Integral as area: ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is signed area; the Fundamental Theorem gives F(b) − F(a) for an antiderivative F of f.

Vectors: dot product a·b = |a||b|cos θ; perpendicular ⇔ a·b = 0; cross product magnitude gives parallelogram area and direction by right-hand rule.

Probability: P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A∩B); conditional P(A|B) = P(A∩B)/P(B); independence ⇔ P(A∩B) = P(A)P(B).

Binomial distribution: P(X = k) = C(n,k) pᵏ(1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ, mean np, variance np(1−p).

Logarithms: log(ab) = log a + log b, log(aᵇ) = b log a; use to linearise exponential models and to solve aˣ = b as x = log b / log a.

Complex numbers: modulus-argument form z = r(cos θ + i sin θ); multiplication multiplies moduli and adds arguments; de Moivre gives zⁿ = rⁿ(cos nθ + i sin nθ).

Show-working rule: a correct final answer without justification typically earns partial credit only, so state the theorem or formula used before substituting.

Oral structure that scores: brief framing of the question, two or three developed arguments with evidence, explicit counter-argument, then a conclusion that takes a position.

Evidence must be dated and specific: treaty names, years, figures, place names, and named sources; vague reference to 'a war' or 'a country' is penalised.

Source analysis in History: identify nature, origin, purpose, and audience of the document before using its content as evidence.

Geography oral: define the concept, give scale (local, regional, national, global), present a case study with data, then discuss limits of the model or the data.

Map and document use: describe location and pattern first, then explain process; never jump to explanation before describing what is shown.

Interaction marks depend on answering the examiner's follow-up directly; if unsure, state the limits of your knowledge and reason from known evidence.

Vocabulary precision is graded: use the technical terms of the discipline (e.g. sovereignty, urban sprawl, carrying capacity) rather than everyday synonyms.

Timing rule: aim to speak for about 60–70% of the allotted time, leaving room for examiner questions, which are also assessed.

Enzyme kinetics: rate rises with substrate concentration until Vmax; Km is the substrate concentration at half Vmax; competitive inhibitors raise Km, non-competitive lower Vmax.

Membrane transport decision rule: simple diffusion (small, non-polar), facilitated diffusion (channel/carrier, down gradient, no ATP), active transport (against gradient, ATP), osmosis (water only).

Cellular respiration yields: glycolysis 2 ATP + 2 NADH; link reaction and Krebs give reduced coenzymes; oxidative phosphorylation yields roughly 26–28 ATP; anaerobic gives 2 ATP plus lactate or ethanol.

Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions split water, produce ATP and NADPH, and release O₂; the Calvin cycle fixes CO₂ via rubisco into triose phosphate.

Genetics: monohybrid cross 3:1 for complete dominance, 9:3:3:1 dihybrid; test cross distinguishes homozygous dominant from heterozygous.

DNA replication is semi-conservative; transcription uses RNA polymerase, translation uses ribosomes and tRNA with codon–anticodon pairing; mutation types include substitution, insertion, deletion, and frameshift.

Homeostasis is explained as a negative feedback loop: stimulus, receptor, coordination centre, effector, response, restoration of set point.

STS argumentation: separate scientific evidence, technological application, and societal or ethical consequence; state who benefits, who bears risk, and what regulatory option exists.

Experimental design in both options: identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables, state a null hypothesis, and choose a statistical test appropriate to the data type.