100+ Free GTLE Biology Practice Questions

Pass your Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination — Biology Subject Specialism Paper (NTC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

Not published Pass Rate

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GTLE Biology Exam

100

Total MCQs on the licensure practice exam

NTC Biology TOS

50%

Minimum passing score required by the NTC

NTC Stakeholder Notices

30%

Weight of Life Processes & Diversity in the exam

NTC Biology TOS

GH¢450

Licensure registration fee for fresh candidates

NTC GTLE Registration Portal

Act 1023

Education Regulatory Bodies Act mandating professional teacher licensing

NTC Ghana

NTC GTLE Biology is a subject-content licensure paper testing SHS-level elective biology. Exactly 100 questions covering cells, physiology, ecology, genetics, and biotechnology.

Sample GTLE Biology Practice Questions

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

1A student in the laboratory is studying a specimen of Rhizopus. Which branch of biology is primarily concerned with the study of this group of organisms?

A.Mycology

B.Phycology

C.Bryology

D.Pteridology

Explanation: Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, which includes Rhizopus. Phycology is the study of algae, while bryology and pteridology deal with mosses and ferns, respectively.

2If a student uses a microscope with an eyepiece magnification of 10x and a high-power objective lens magnification of 40x, what is the total magnification of the specimen being observed?

A.50x

B.400x

C.40x

D.4x

Explanation: The total magnification of a light microscope is calculated by multiplying the eyepiece magnification by the objective lens magnification (10 * 40 = 400). Hence, the total magnification is 400x.

3According to standard biological drawing conventions, how should label lines be drawn on a diagram?

A.Drawn with arrows pointing to the structures

B.Drawn freehand and crossing each other when space is limited

C.Drawn straight and parallel with a ruler, without arrowheads, and ending exactly on the structure

D.Drawn as curved dashed lines to distinguish them from outline drawings

Explanation: Biological drawing rules require label lines to be straight, parallel, drawn with a ruler, and without arrowheads. They must touch or end exactly on the structure being labeled and must never cross each other.

4Which of the following best describes a scientific hypothesis formulated during biological inquiry?

A.A confirmed theory that has been widely accepted by the scientific community

B.A tentative, testable explanation for a biological observation

C.A collection of quantitative data gathered from uncontrolled observations

D.The final conclusion of a scientific report

Explanation: A hypothesis is a tentative and testable explanation for an observed phenomenon. It is formulated before experiments are conducted and acts as a guide for gathering and analyzing data.

5What is the primary function of the condenser on a light microscope?

A.To magnify the image of the specimen

B.To focus light from the light source onto the specimen

C.To adjust the distance between the stage and the objective lens

D.To rotate the objective lenses into place

Explanation: The condenser is situated beneath the stage and functions to collect and focus light from the light source onto the specimen. This provides optimal illumination and contrast for viewing.

6Which parameter of a microscope defines its ability to distinguish between two points that are very close together as separate entities?

A.Magnification

B.Resolving power (resolution)

C.Refractive index

D.Field of view

Explanation: Resolving power, or resolution, is the capability of an optical system to distinguish two close objects as separate. High resolving power allows for greater detail and clarity, independent of magnification.

7An SHS student draws a plant cell observed under a microscope. The actual size of the cell is 0.05 mm, and the length of the cell in the student's drawing is 20 mm. What is the magnification of the drawing?

A.x400

B.x40

C.x4

D.x0.0025

Explanation: Drawing magnification is calculated using the formula: Magnification = Size of Drawing / Actual Size of Specimen. Using the student's measurements: Magnification = 20 mm / 0.05 mm = 400. Thus, the magnification is x400.

8In a controlled experiment investigating the effect of different light intensities on the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea, what are the independent and dependent variables respectively?

A.Independent: rate of photosynthesis; Dependent: light intensity

B.Independent: light intensity; Dependent: rate of photosynthesis (measured by oxygen production)

C.Independent: water temperature; Dependent: concentration of carbon dioxide

D.Independent: light intensity; Dependent: concentration of chlorophyll

Explanation: The independent variable is the one manipulated by the investigator (light intensity), and the dependent variable is the responding variable that is measured (rate of photosynthesis, quantified by oxygen volume). Other factors like temperature must be kept constant.

9Which of the following statements represents a fundamental tenet of the Cell Theory?

A.All cells must contain a membrane-bound nucleus

B.All living organisms are composed of one or more cells

C.Cells can arise spontaneously from inorganic nutrient mixtures

D.Animal cells have cell walls made of cellulose

Explanation: The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, cells are the basic structural and functional units of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells. Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus but are still cells.

10Which cell structure is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?

A.Lysosome

B.Cell wall

C.Mitochondrion

D.Ribosome

Explanation: Plant cells possess a rigid outer cell wall made of cellulose that provides structure and support. Animal cells lack a cell wall and are bounded only by a flexible plasma membrane.

About the GTLE Biology Exam

The Biology Subject Specialism paper is a teacher licensure exam administered by the National Teaching Council (NTC) of Ghana. It tests candidates' content mastery in Elective Biology for teaching at the Senior High School (SHS) level. The syllabus covers fundamental biology, cell biology, comparative life processes in diverse organisms (amoeba, rhizopus, cockroach, tilapia, toad, fowl, and mammals), ecology and habitats, human-environment interactions, genetics and evolution, and biology's applications in industry and biotechnology.

Assessment

A single subject-content paper focusing on biology, written in combination with General Professional Knowledge and Specialism Pedagogy.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

50% (NTC standard pass threshold)

Exam Fee

GH¢450 fresh (3 papers); re-sit GH¢150/210/385; indexing GH¢50 fresh (National Teaching Council (NTC) Ghana)

GTLE Biology Exam Content Outline

20%

Introduction to Biology & Cell Biology

Main branches, scientific inquiry, microscopy, drawing conventions, cells, organelles, cell division, and membrane transport

30%

Life Processes & Diversity

Five-kingdom classification, comparative processes in amoeba, rhizopus, cockroach, mosquito, tilapia, domestic fowl, toad, and mammals; plant and animal systems

20%

Interactions in Nature & Humans and Environment

Ecological terms, energy transfer, food webs, ecological pyramids, biogeochemical cycles, succession, associations, soils, and conservation of natural resources

15%

Genetics & Evolution

Mendelian inheritance patterns, genetic crosses, variation, pedigrees, and evolutionary theories (Lamarck & Darwin)

15%

Biology & Industry

Biotechnology, food preservation, commercial agriculture, biofuels, water treatment, and biological pest control

How to Pass the GTLE Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50% (NTC standard pass threshold)
Assessment: A single subject-content paper focusing on biology, written in combination with General Professional Knowledge and Specialism Pedagogy.
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: GH¢450 fresh (3 papers); re-sit GH¢150/210/385; indexing GH¢50 fresh

Keys to Passing

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

GTLE Biology Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarize yourself with biological drawing guidelines, including correct magnification, title placement, and label line alignment.

2Review the comparative physiological structures of model organisms (such as tilapia gills, insect tracheoles, toad skin/lungs) for gas exchange.

3Practice solving Mendelian genetic crosses, identifying codominance and sex-linked traits, and interpreting pedigree charts.

4Understand the key differences between Lamarckian and Darwinian evolutionary theories and know specific modern examples.

5Be prepared for questions on industrial applications of biology, particularly water treatment steps, silage production, and PCR/gel electrophoresis basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NTC GTLE Biology Subject Specialism paper?

It is a subject content examination specifically designed for teacher candidates specializing in teaching Elective Biology at the Senior High School (SHS) level in Ghana.

What is the pass mark for the GTLE Biology exam?

The official passing score standard set by the National Teaching Council (NTC) is 50%.

What is the fee structure for the licensure exam?

Fresh candidates register for GH¢450 (which covers GPK, Pedagogy, and Subject Specialism) and pay a GH¢50 indexing fee. Re-sit candidates pay GH¢150 for 1 paper, GH¢210 for 2 papers, and GH¢385 for all 3 papers.

Which topics are most heavily weighted in the Biology exam?

Life Processes and Diversity forms the largest portion (30%), followed by Introduction & Cell Biology (20%), Ecology and Environmental Biology (20%), Genetics & Evolution (15%), and Biology & Industry (15%).

What resource outlines the syllabus for the exam?

Candidates should refer to NTC's official document: 'Biology Content Areas and Table of Specification' downloadable from ntc.gov.gh/gtle-content.

100+ Free GTLE Biology Practice Questions

Explore More Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE)

GTLE General Professional Knowledge Paper (Ghana, NTC)

GTLE Multiple Subjects Content Paper Early Grade/Early Childhood (Ghana, NTC)

GTLE Multiple Subjects Content Paper Primary (Ghana, NTC)

GTLE Pedagogy Paper Early Grade/Early Childhood (Ghana, NTC)

GTLE Pedagogy Paper Junior High School (Ghana, NTC)

GTLE Pedagogy Paper Primary (Ghana, NTC)