Status at 5 October 2026: the 2027 Informação-Prova (the official exam specification) has not been published yet. This guide describes the 2026 exam, the most recent official reference, and will be updated when the 2027 document comes out.
What exam 702 is
Biologia e Geologia (Biology and Geology) is a two-year subject (Years 10 and 11) in the specific training of the Ciências e Tecnologias (sciences) course. Its national final exam, code 702, is sat at the end of 11.º ano (Year 11) and assesses the Aprendizagens Essenciais (the official syllabus) of both years in both areas: Biology and Geology.
In 2026 the exam took place in the first phase on 18 June. The 2027 date will be set in the exam calendar, not yet published.
What the exam looks like
| Feature | What the official documents say |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 minutes, plus 30 minutes of extra time allowance |
| Total marks | 200 points |
| Question types | Selection items (for example, multiple choice) and constructed-response items (for example, short answer) |
| Balance | An even split between Biology and Geology and between the two years (10 and 11) |
| Source material | Texts, tables, graphs, maps, diagrams and figures |
| Equipment | The equipment list is published before the exam, with the instructions for sitting it |
Science, Technology, Society and Environment (CTSA) themes and the practical and experimental dimension are assessed. The latter can appear anywhere in the paper, not just in a dedicated section. The ColorADD colour identification system may be used.
Among other things, the Informação-Prova asks students to interpret varied data, apply knowledge to new problems, relate cause and effect, interpret experimental procedures and results, form hypotheses and use appropriate scientific language.
What topics come up
| Year | Biology | Geology |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Biodiversity; obtaining matter; distribution of matter; transformation and use of energy by living things. | Geology and its methods; structure and dynamics of the geosphere. |
| 11 | Cell growth, renewal and differentiation; reproduction; biological evolution; classification of living things. | Sedimentation and sedimentary rocks; magmatism and igneous rocks; rock deformation; metamorphism and metamorphic rocks; sustainable use of geological resources. |
Because the paper is balanced between areas and years, Geology counts as much as Biology, and Year 10 as much as Year 11. In our experience the most marks are lost in whichever part the student studied least.
How much it counts in the grade
For internal students on the general academic (científico-humanísticos) courses who sit the exam towards the subject's final grade, on Portugal's 0 to 20 scale:
CFD = (7.5 × CIF + 2.5 × CE) ÷ 10, that is, 75% of the internal school grade and 25% of the exam, rounded to the nearest whole number.
To finish secondary school, students sit exams in Portuguese and in two subjects from their specific training. A sciences student can, for example, sit Biologia e Geologia and Física e Química A in Year 11, or Biologia e Geologia and Philosophy, or just one of these and complete their choices in Year 12. The Guia Geral de Exames (general exams guide) sets out every combination.
Biologia e Geologia as a university entrance exam
Biologia e Geologia is one of the entrance exams (provas de ingresso) used for access to higher education, and the exam that fulfils it is 702. As an entrance exam, the exact points count (for example 143 points, not 14 out of 20). Each institution sets a minimum score, never below 95 points out of 200. The entrance exams for each degree are listed in the DGES application guides.
How to prepare, in practice
- Revise Year 10 early, in both parts. The paper is balanced between the two years.
- Give Geology the same time as Biology: rocks, the geosphere and geological resources are worth as much as the cell and evolution.
- Practise reading documents: graphs, tables, maps and diagrams underpin almost every question.
- Work on the practical activities: identifying variables, interpreting procedures and drawing conclusions from results.
- Work through past papers with the marking criteria, to see what earns marks in a written answer.
- Sit full papers in 120 minutes, to practise the pace.
Common questions
In which year is the Biologia e Geologia exam taken?
In Year 11, the subject's final year. The exam assesses the Aprendizagens Essenciais of Years 10 and 11.
How long is the Biologia e Geologia exam?
120 minutes, plus 30 minutes of extra time allowance, according to the 2026 Informação-Prova.
Does Geology count as much as Biology?
Yes. The Informação-Prova sets an even split between the Biology and Geology domains, and between the two years.
How much is the exam worth in the final Biologia e Geologia grade?
For internal students on the general academic courses, 25%. The CFD is (7.5 × CIF + 2.5 × CE) ÷ 10.
Is the format of the 2027 exam known yet?
Not yet. The 2027 Informação-Prova had not been published on 5 October 2026. The 2026 one came out in November 2025.
