Biology 30 Diploma Exam: What’s On It and How to Study
Biology 30 is one of the most popular diploma exam courses in Alberta, and one of the most memory-heavy. The good news is that the exam is very predictable once you know its format and the four units it covers. This guide explains what’s on the Biology 30 diploma exam, how it’s marked, and a four-week study plan that works for students in First Nations communities, whether you study at home, at school or with an online tutor.
Biology 30 diploma exam at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 48 multiple-choice and 12 numerical-response |
| Time | Designed for 3 hours, with up to 6 hours allowed |
| Data pages | Included in the exam booklet, so there’s no separate data booklet |
| Weight | 30% of the final Biology 30 mark (the school mark is the other 70%) |
| Sessions | Offered several times a year, including January and June; check your school’s schedule |
The four units of Biology 30
Unit A: Nervous and endocrine systems
Neurons and nerve impulses, the brain and senses, hormones and how the body keeps balance (homeostasis). Expect questions on feedback loops, such as how blood sugar or stress hormones are controlled.
Unit B: Reproduction and development
Male and female reproductive systems, the hormones that control them, fertilization and how an embryo develops. Diagrams of hormone levels over the menstrual cycle are common exam questions.
Unit C: Cell division, genetics and molecular biology
Mitosis and meiosis, inheritance and Punnett squares, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. This unit has many of the numerical-response questions, such as working out ratios of offspring.
Unit D: Population and community dynamics
Population genetics, the Hardy-Weinberg equation (p² + 2pq + q² = 1), population growth, and how species interact. This unit connects naturally to life on the land: how moose, caribou or fish populations rise and fall, and why.
How numerical-response questions work
Numerical-response questions have no answer choices. You fill in a number or a sequence of digits, and there are no part marks. Practise:
- reading exactly what the question asks for (a percentage, a decimal, or a sequence of numbers)
- rounding the way the question says
- genetics ratios and Hardy-Weinberg calculations, which come up often
A four-week study plan
- Week 1: Unit A. Make one page of notes on the nervous system and one on hormones. Draw every feedback loop from memory until you can do it without looking.
- Week 2: Units B and C. Learn the reproductive hormones in order, then do 10 genetics problems a day.
- Week 3: Unit D and mixed review. Practise Hardy-Weinberg and population graphs, then do mixed questions from all four units.
- Week 4: Practice exams. Write released diploma questions under exam conditions. Mark them, and spend more time on why you got questions wrong than on the ones you got right.
Alberta Education publishes released diploma exam questions and an information bulletin for Biology 30. Your teacher can point you to them, and they’re the best practice material available.
Study tips that make a difference
- Study in short blocks. Thirty to forty minutes of focused study, then a break, works better than a whole evening.
- Explain it out loud. If you can teach a concept to a younger sibling or a friend, you know it.
- Draw it. Diagrams of the neuron, the kidney, the cell cycle and hormone loops stick better than reading notes.
- Read the graph first. Many questions give you a graph or data table. Read the labels and units before reading the answers.
- Sleep before the exam. Memory-heavy courses depend on sleep more than any last-minute cramming.
Frequently asked questions
Is Biology 30 hard?
It’s less math-heavy than Chemistry 30 or Physics 30, but it has more to remember. Students who study steadily usually do well.
Can I rewrite the Biology 30 diploma exam?
Yes. Students can rewrite diploma exams in a later session to try to raise their mark. Talk to your school about dates and registration.
What do universities need Biology 30 for?
Many science, nursing and health programs require Biology 30, often along with Chemistry 30. Check the program page for each school you’re interested in.
Get help preparing for Biology 30
A+ Tutoring helps First Nations students prepare for Biology 30 and other diploma exams, live online anywhere in Alberta or in person in north Edmonton. We use examples from the land and the community so science connects to real life. The first session is free and lasts 1.5 hours. Call or text 825-966-7690 or book a free session. New to online tutoring? Read how online tutoring works for students in First Nations communities.