This subject is typical of the Science track, but also of Engineering, although it's not usually the norm. If you want to be a doctor, nurse, or study any degree related to living beings, such as Veterinary Medicine, you'll have to deal with Biology. We consider it a "beautiful," practical, and visual subject. Biology studies the structure, functioning, and relationships of living beings with their environment, often to develop knowledge and technology and improve the society in which we live.
Last call data (2024)
- Pass percentage: 59,95% (see approvals of all subjects)
- Average grade of those approved: 7,52
- Test type: Test + Questions
- Difficulty of the subject: Medium
- Exam difficulty: Medium
PCE Selectivity Biology Syllabus
The content to study in the subject is:
- Bioelements: water and mineral salts
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- nucleic acids
- The cell nucleus. Mitosis and Meiosis.
- Metabolism. Catabolism y Anabolism. Photosynthesis.
- Cell organization, envelopes and cell organelles
- Genetics
- Microorganisms and their applications in biotechnology
- Immune system
How is the Biology exam structured at the PCE?
The exam is organized as follows:
- 1 part. An 8-question test, of which 5 must be chosen. Each question has three possible answers, of which only one is correct. Correct answers add 0.5 points, and incorrect answers subtract 0.15. Failure to answer does not affect the score. This section is worth 2.5 points in total.
- 2 part. Two essay questions, one of which you can choose. One question will be about biomolecules and the other about cell biology. This section is worth 2.5 points.
- 3 part. Two essay questions, one of which you can choose. One question will be about metabolism and the other about genetics. This section is worth 2.5 points.
- 4 part. A competency-based question on the immune system and biotechnology block. This section is worth 2.5 points.
Most frequently asked questions
If we had to choose a top 3 topics, in the development part it would be Genetics, Immune System and Cellular OrganizationWe're very likely to be asked about genotype and phenotype, viruses, and cell organelles. We're less likely to be asked about metabolism or DNA replication processes.
In the test part, mitosis and meiosisIn addition to proteins, DNA chains and parts of the cell are usually the most asked questions. We will not also forget the underappreciated topic of microorganisms and their application.
Tricks and tips
- Make diagrams and drawings in the answers that you can.
- Practice the topics of genetics and cellular organelles. If you add the immune system to that, you will already have almost 70% of the subject they ask you in the exam.
- Start with the multiple-choice test and answer only the questions you know on the first pass. After the second pass, answer the questions you're unsure of between two. Since there are still questions left, only answer the ones you're moderately to highly confident about. Never answer randomly.
- In the writing part, relax. Don't answer what you don't know and, if you know, be concise. No more writing is better. Outline whenever you can and draw. It is graphic and makes the teacher's correction work easier.
- As always, keep an eye out for spelling mistakes.
- Have a good base of Chemicals. It will help you to study more fluidly and better understand the reactions that occur in the cell and the links in proteins.
- The phases of the cell cycle are basic to be safe in the tests.
- It is important to understand the structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, as well as to know the structures that will be found within each of them.
- The processes of cell replication and all those that have to do with the transmission of information from genes to proteins (transcription and translation) can fall mainly into test type.
PCE Biology Resources
- See PCE 2026 Biology Model (If you want to see more models and request the resolution, click here) here)
- Free notes
- Level test
- Video “How much do you know about Biology?”
