Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Marine Science 9693
Examinations 2025–2027. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Marine Science 9693
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Marine Science 9693
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2025–2027 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: topics 1–5 and practical skills. Full A Level: AS content plus topics 6–9 and further practical skills.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2025–2027. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS Level · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1 Water
Explore particle theory, bonding, solubility, density and pressure in marine contexts.
2 Earth processes
Connect tectonics, weathering, erosion, tides and currents with marine environments.
4 · AS Level · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3 Interactions in marine ecosystems
Explore feeding relationships, ecological interactions and nutrient cycles.
5 · AS Level
Compulsory within this study stage.
4 Classification and biodiversity
Classify marine organisms and investigate biodiversity through sampling.
5 Examples of marine ecosystems
Compare the open ocean, coral reefs, rocky and sandy shores, and mangrove forests.
6 · A Level additional · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
6 Physiology of marine organisms
Study cells, substance movement, gas exchange and osmoregulation.
7 Energy
Explore photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and respiration.
7 · A Level additional · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
8 Fisheries for the future
Connect life cycles, sustainable fisheries and marine aquaculture.
8 · A Level additional
Compulsory within this study stage.
9 Human impacts on marine ecosystems
Evaluate human impacts, warming, acidification and conservation.
9 · Skills you will develop
Develop practical skills in observation, sampling, data handling and evaluation. Use evidence to explain marine processes and assess management decisions.
10 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2025–2027.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/664553-2025-2027-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which topic includes sustainable fisheries and aquaculture?
– 2 Earth processes
– 8 Fisheries for the future
– 6 Physiology of marine organisms
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 8 Fisheries for the future
Correct feedback: 8 Fisheries for the future: Connect life cycles, sustainable fisheries and marine aquaculture. Review slide 06 and 07.
If 2 Earth processes is selected: 2 Earth processes: Connect tectonics, weathering, erosion, tides and currents with marine environments. Review slide 03 and 04. The best match to this question is 8 Fisheries for the future.
If 6 Physiology of marine organisms is selected: 6 Physiology of marine organisms: Study cells, substance movement, gas exchange and osmoregulation. Review slide 06 and 07. The best match to this question is 8 Fisheries for the future.
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: Full A Level Marine Science excludes the AS topics.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: False
Correct feedback: Correct. A Level includes topics 1–5 as well as the additional topics 6–9.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. A Level includes topics 1–5 as well as the additional topics 6–9.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Explore particle theory, bonding, solubility, density and pressure in marine contexts.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 1 ____
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Water. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 1 Water: Explore particle theory, bonding, solubility, density and pressure in marine contexts. Review slide 03 and 04.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Water”; the complete title is 1 Water. Review slide 03 and 04.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 2 Earth processes; 4 Classification and biodiversity; 7 Energy
– Connect tectonics, weathering, erosion, tides and currents with marine environments. → [drop zone]
– Classify marine organisms and investigate biodiversity through sampling. → [drop zone]
– Explore photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and respiration. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 2 Earth processes. Review slide 03 and 04.
– Row 2: 4 Classification and biodiversity. Review slide 05.
– Row 3: 7 Energy. Review slide 06 and 07.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Explore feeding relationships, ecological interactions and nutrient cycles.
– Compare the open ocean, coral reefs, rocky and sandy shores, and mangrove forests.
Selectable text:
3 Interactions in marine ecosystems / 1 Water / 5 Examples of marine ecosystems / 2 Earth processes
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 3 Interactions in marine ecosystems; 5 Examples of marine ecosystems.
Incorrect labels: 1 Water; 2 Earth processes.
Correct feedback: 3 Interactions in marine ecosystems: Explore feeding relationships, ecological interactions and nutrient cycles. Review slide 03 and 04. 5 Examples of marine ecosystems: Compare the open ocean, coral reefs, rocky and sandy shores, and mangrove forests. Review slide 05.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 1 Water: Explore particle theory, bonding, solubility, density and pressure in marine contexts. Review slide 03 and 04. 2 Earth processes: Connect tectonics, weathering, erosion, tides and currents with marine environments. Review slide 03 and 04.