100+ Free QCAA Biology EA Practice Questions

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Key Facts: QCAA Biology EA Exam

2 papers

The external assessment is delivered as two examination papers covering Units 3 and 4

QCAA Biology external assessment papers

20 multiple-choice

Paper 1 Section 1 has 20 multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks

QCAA Biology 2024 external assessment Paper 1

50%

The external assessment contributes 50% of the final Biology subject result

QCAA assessment in science subjects

90 minutes

Each paper allows 90 minutes working time plus 10 minutes perusal

QCAA Biology external assessment papers

Units 3 and 4

Only Units 3 and 4 are assessed in the external examination

QCAA Biology General senior syllabus

About 97 marks

Recent external assessments total around 97 marks across the two papers

QCAA Biology 2024 marking guide

3 internal assessments

A data test, a student experiment and a research investigation form the other 50%

QCAA Biology General senior syllabus

100

Free original multiple-choice practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

The QCAA Biology external assessment is Queensland's externally set exam for QCE General Biology, covering Units 3 and 4. It is delivered as two papers; Paper 1 includes a 20-question multiple-choice section (20 marks) plus short response, and Paper 2 is all short response, with recent papers totalling about 97 marks. Each paper allows 10 minutes perusal and 90 minutes working time. The external assessment is worth 50% of the final result, alongside three internal assessments worth the other 50%. This 100-question bank gives original multiple-choice practice on biodiversity, ecosystems, DNA and heredity, and evolution.

Sample QCAA Biology EA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your QCAA Biology EA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the Linnaean classification hierarchy, which sequence lists the ranks from the broadest (most inclusive) to the narrowest (least inclusive)?

A.Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

B.Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom

C.Domain, class, kingdom, order, genus, family, species

D.Kingdom, order, phylum, class, family, species, genus

Explanation: The Linnaean hierarchy runs from the most inclusive to the least inclusive as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Each level contains the levels below it, so a kingdom holds many phyla and so on down to species.

2A species is correctly written using binomial nomenclature. Which of the following is formatted correctly?

A.homo Sapiens

B.Homo sapiens

C.Homo Sapiens

D.HOMO SAPIENS

Explanation: Binomial nomenclature italicises the name, capitalises the genus and uses a lowercase species (specific) epithet, so 'Homo sapiens' is correct. The genus is capitalised and the species name is not.

3According to the biological species concept, two organisms belong to the same species if they:

A.Look physically similar to one another

B.Live in the same geographic area

C.Can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

D.Share the same number of chromosomes

Explanation: The biological species concept defines a species as a group of organisms that can interbreed in nature to produce viable, fertile offspring. Reproductive isolation, not appearance, location or chromosome number, is the key criterion.

4Biodiversity is usually described at three levels. Which option correctly lists all three?

A.Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity

B.Population, community and biome diversity

C.Cellular, organ and organism diversity

D.Producer, consumer and decomposer diversity

Explanation: Biodiversity is measured at the genetic level (variation within and between populations), the species level (number and variety of species) and the ecosystem level (variety of habitats and ecological processes). These three levels together describe the full range of biological variety.

5Species richness in an ecosystem refers to:

A.The relative abundance of each species

B.The number of different species present

C.The total number of individual organisms

D.The genetic variation within one species

Explanation: Species richness is simply a count of how many different species are present in a defined area. It does not consider how common or rare each species is; that aspect is captured by species evenness.

6Two forests each contain 100 individuals spread over four species. Forest A has 25 individuals of each species, while Forest B has 97 of one species and 1 of each of the other three. Compared with Forest A, Forest B has:

A.Higher species richness and higher evenness

B.The same species richness but lower evenness

C.Lower species richness and higher evenness

D.The same species richness and the same evenness

Explanation: Both forests have four species, so species richness is identical. Forest A's individuals are spread evenly among species, giving high evenness, while Forest B is dominated by one species, giving low evenness. Richness is the same; evenness differs.

7When using Simpson's Diversity Index (D), which describes a community with the greatest diversity?

A.A value of D close to 0

B.A value of D close to 1

C.A value of D exactly equal to the number of species

D.A value of D that is negative

Explanation: When Simpson's Diversity Index is expressed as D = 1 minus the dominance value, a result close to 1 indicates high diversity (high richness and evenness), while a value near 0 indicates low diversity. The index ranges between 0 and 1.

8A biologist wants to estimate the number of plant species in a grassland. The most appropriate sampling tool is a:

A.Pitfall trap

B.Quadrat

C.Mark-recapture tag

D.Sweep net

Explanation: Quadrats are square frames placed on the ground to sample non-mobile organisms such as plants, allowing species and abundance to be recorded within a known area. Pitfall traps, tags and sweep nets are designed for mobile animals.

9In a mark-recapture study, 60 fish are caught, marked and released. Later, 80 fish are caught and 20 of them are marked. Using the Lincoln index, the estimated population size is:

A.160

B.200

C.240

D.120

Explanation: The Lincoln index estimates population size N = (number marked in first catch x total in second catch) / number marked in second catch = (60 x 80) / 20 = 4800 / 20 = 240. This assumes marks do not affect survival and the population is closed.

10A transect is most useful for investigating:

A.Random abundance of a single species

B.Changes in species distribution along an environmental gradient

C.The genetic diversity of a population

D.The total number of individuals in a closed population

Explanation: A transect is a line along which samples are taken at intervals, making it ideal for studying how species composition changes across an environmental gradient such as distance from water or changing altitude. It links distribution to changing abiotic conditions.

About the QCAA Biology EA Exam

The QCAA Biology external assessment is the common, externally set and marked examination for the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) General Biology subject. It assesses Units 3 and 4 of the QCAA Biology syllabus: Unit 3 'Biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life' (describing biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics) and Unit 4 'Heredity and continuity of life' (DNA, genes and the continuity of life, and continuity of life on Earth). The external assessment is delivered as two papers; Paper 1 combines a 20-question multiple-choice section with short-response questions, and Paper 2 is entirely short response. It contributes 50% of a student's overall result, with the remaining 50% from three internal assessments (a data test, a student experiment and a research investigation). Students may use an approved scientific calculator and a QCAA formula and data book.

Assessment

Two papers covering Units 3 and 4. Paper 1: Section 1 has 20 multiple-choice questions (20 marks) and Section 2 has short-response questions; Paper 2 is all short response. Recent external assessments total about 97 marks across the two papers.

Time Limit

Each paper allows 10 minutes perusal time and 90 minutes working time, giving about 3 hours of working time across the two papers.

Passing Score

No fixed pass mark. The external assessment is worth 50% of the final subject result, with the other 50% from three internal assessments. Final A–E grades and ATAR contributions come from the combined, scaled result.

Exam Fee

There is no separate sitting fee for the external assessment. Students pay a QCE/QCIA student registration and learning account fee set by QCAA through their school as part of senior schooling. (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA))

QCAA Biology EA Exam Content Outline

25%

Unit 3 Topic 5: Describing biodiversity

Classification and hierarchical taxonomy, defining and identifying species, dichotomous keys, measuring biodiversity through species richness, evenness and diversity indices, sampling techniques such as quadrats and transects, and describing ecosystems across space and time.

25%

Unit 3 Topic 6: Ecosystem dynamics

Functioning ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors, energy flow and trophic levels, food chains and webs, matter cycling (carbon, nitrogen, water), population dynamics and carrying capacity, symbiotic relationships, ecological succession, keystone species and human impacts.

25%

Unit 4 Topic 7: DNA, genes and the continuity of life

DNA and chromosome structure, semi-conservative replication, transcription and translation, the genetic code, gene mutations and their effects, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian inheritance, pedigrees, sex linkage, non-Mendelian patterns and applications of biotechnology.

25%

Unit 4 Topic 8: Continuity of life on Earth

Sources of genetic variation, mechanisms of evolution including natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow and selection pressures, allopatric and sympatric speciation, evidence for evolution (fossils, biogeography, comparative anatomy and molecular data) and phylogenetic relationships.

How to Pass the QCAA Biology EA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed pass mark. The external assessment is worth 50% of the final subject result, with the other 50% from three internal assessments. Final A–E grades and ATAR contributions come from the combined, scaled result.
Assessment: Two papers covering Units 3 and 4. Paper 1: Section 1 has 20 multiple-choice questions (20 marks) and Section 2 has short-response questions; Paper 2 is all short response. Recent external assessments total about 97 marks across the two papers.
Time limit: Each paper allows 10 minutes perusal time and 90 minutes working time, giving about 3 hours of working time across the two papers.
Exam fee: There is no separate sitting fee for the external assessment. Students pay a QCE/QCIA student registration and learning account fee set by QCAA through their school as part of senior schooling.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

QCAA Biology EA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn the QCAA cognition verbs (describe, explain, analyse, evaluate) because each tells you the depth of response expected; even multiple-choice items are written to specific cognitions.

2Use past external assessment papers and marking guides from QCAA to see how Unit 3 and Unit 4 ideas are tested and to practise reading data, graphs and unfamiliar scenarios.

3Revise the four topics evenly: biodiversity and taxonomy, ecosystem dynamics, DNA and inheritance, and evolution and speciation each contribute roughly a quarter of the content.

4Practise interpreting pedigrees, Punnett squares and diversity-index calculations, since these recur in multiple-choice and short-response form.

5Connect processes across units, for example linking mutation and meiosis (Unit 4 Topic 7) to genetic variation and natural selection (Unit 4 Topic 8).

6Time yourself: with about 90 minutes per paper, aim for roughly one minute per multiple-choice question so you keep enough time for the short-response sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What units does the QCAA Biology external assessment cover?

It assesses Units 3 and 4 of the QCAA Biology syllabus: Unit 3 'Biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life' (describing biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics) and Unit 4 'Heredity and continuity of life' (DNA, genes and continuity, and continuity of life on Earth).

Does the QCAA Biology exam have multiple-choice questions?

Yes. Paper 1 begins with Section 1, which is 20 multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks. The rest of Paper 1 (Section 2) and all of Paper 2 are short-response questions.

How long is the external assessment?

The external assessment is two papers. Each paper allows 10 minutes of perusal (planning) time and 90 minutes of working time, so the two papers together give about three hours of working time.

How much is the external assessment worth?

The external assessment contributes 50% of the final Biology result. The other 50% comes from three internal assessments: a data test, a student experiment and a research investigation.

Can I use a calculator in the QCAA Biology exam?

Yes. An approved non-programmable scientific calculator is permitted, and QCAA provides a formula and data book for use during the external assessment.

Are these official QCAA practice questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions modelled on the syllabus and the multiple-choice style of recent papers. QCAA publishes its own past external assessment papers and marking guides separately.