Extended biology is a subject that “can supposedly be managed”: because there are no hard calculations, but the material is so extensive that students often feel overwhelmed.
How big is the material?
The extended biology core curriculum covers: cytology and biochemistry, genetics, human physiology, botany, zoology, ecology and evolution. That is several hundred pages of textbook with hundreds of concepts, processes and mechanisms.
What matters most?
At the 2024–2026 biology matura, the biggest share of points was collected by: genetics (inheritance, crosses, mutations), human physiology (the circulatory, nervous and hormonal systems) and ecology. It is worth spending proportionally more time there.
How to systematise the material?
Do not learn biology “by reading”. Make diagrams, charts, comparison tables. “Draw” processes: cell division, protein synthesis, blood circulation. Visualisation memorises what the text alone does not hold in your head.
Calculations in biology
Some students are surprised that biology requires calculations. Genetic tasks (crosses, probability), ecological ones (energy pyramids, population sizes) and biochemical ones (concentrations) are a real slice of the paper. It is worth practising them separately.
A work plan
6 months before the matura: one big topic a week, with revision of previous ones in parallel. 3 months before: intensive work on papers, identifying gaps, returning to the hardest topics.