Biology 0610 papers: timings and marks

Paper 1: Multiple Choice40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Core45 mintime40marks30%of grade
Paper 2: Multiple Choice40 four-option multiple-choice questions
Extended45 mintime40marks30%of grade
Paper 3: TheoryShort-answer and structured questions
Core1 h 15 mintime80marks50%of grade
Paper 4: TheoryShort-answer and structured questions
Extended1 h 15 mintime80marks50%of grade
Paper 5: Practical TestHands-on practical, based on the experimental skills section
Core and Extended1 h 15 mintime40marks20%of grade
Paper 6: Alternative to PracticalWritten questions on practical work, based on the experimental skills section
Core and Extended1 htime40marks20%of grade

Core or Extended: which papers you sit

  • Core: Papers 1, 3, and either 5 or 6. Grades C to G available.
  • Extended: Papers 2, 4, and either 5 or 6. Grades A* to G available.

Calculator: Calculators may be used in all papers.
Grading: A* to G. A 9 to 1 version exists as 0970, with the same content and papers.

Your Biology topic checklist

Rate each topic: red if you can't do it yet, amber if it's shaky,green if you're confident. It saves on this device, so come back and update it.

Not rated yet
  1. 1Characteristics and classification of living organisms
  2. 2Organisation of the organism
  3. 3Movement into and out of cells
  4. 4Biological molecules
  5. 5Enzymes
  6. 6Plant nutrition
  7. 7Human nutrition
  8. 8Transport in plants
  9. 9Transport in animals
  10. 10Diseases and immunity
  11. 11Gas exchange in humans
  12. 12Respiration
  13. 13Excretion in humans
  14. 14Coordination and response
  15. 15Drugs
  16. 16Reproduction
  17. 17Inheritance
  18. 18Variation and selection
  19. 19Organisms and their environment
  20. 20Human influences on ecosystems
  21. 21Biotechnology and genetic modification

How to revise Cambridge IGCSE Biology

Learn the definitions word for word

Biology mark schemes reward precise terms. Diffusion, osmosis, active transport, enzyme, respiration: learn the syllabus definitions exactly, because a near-miss in wording can lose the mark.

Explain processes as a sequence

Longer questions on topics like digestion, the heart or the menstrual cycle are marked point by point. Write the steps in order, one idea per sentence, using the correct terms.

Treat the practical paper as a skills paper

Papers 5 and 6 are worth 20% and test the same skills every time: drawing results tables with units in the headings, plotting graphs with sensible scales, naming variables, spotting anomalies and suggesting improvements. These are learnable, and they are some of the most reliable marks in the exam.

Do multiple-choice papers against the clock

Paper 1 or 2 is 40 questions in 45 minutes, a little over a minute each. Timed practice builds the pace and shows you which topics you are guessing on.

Common mistakes in IGCSE Biology

Examiner's noteSaying "energy is produced" in respiration. Energy is released, not made.
Examiner's noteMixing up the direction of osmosis. Water moves from a dilute solution to a more concentrated one, through a partially permeable membrane.
Examiner's noteDescribing a graph without quoting numbers from it when the question asks you to describe.
Examiner's noteWriting "enzymes are killed" instead of "denatured".

Biology 0610: questions students ask

How many papers are there in Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610?

There are 6 papers: Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core, 45 min, 40 marks, 30% of the grade); Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended, 45 min, 40 marks, 30% of the grade); Paper 3: Theory (Core, 1 h 15 min, 80 marks, 50% of the grade); Paper 4: Theory (Extended, 1 h 15 min, 80 marks, 50% of the grade); Paper 5: Practical Test (Core and Extended, 1 h 15 min, 40 marks, 20% of the grade); Paper 6: Alternative to Practical (Core and Extended, 1 h, 40 marks, 20% of the grade). Core: Papers 1, 3, and either 5 or 6. Grades C to G available. Extended: Papers 2, 4, and either 5 or 6. Grades A* to G available.

Can I use a calculator in IGCSE Biology 0610?

Calculators may be used in all papers.

What grades can I get in IGCSE Biology 0610?

A* to G. A 9 to 1 version exists as 0970, with the same content and papers.

What topics are in the 0610 syllabus?

The syllabus has 21 topic areas: Characteristics and classification of living organisms, Organisation of the organism, Movement into and out of cells, Biological molecules, Enzymes, Plant nutrition, Human nutrition, Transport in plants, Transport in animals, Diseases and immunity, Gas exchange in humans, Respiration, Excretion in humans, Coordination and response, Drugs, Reproduction, Inheritance, Variation and selection, Organisms and their environment, Human influences on ecosystems, Biotechnology and genetic modification.

Which 0610 syllabus does this guide follow?

The 2026 to 2028 syllabus, from Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus, 2026 to 2028, checked October 2026. Exam boards update syllabuses, so confirm the version your school is using.

Plan your revision

Put Biology into the revision planner with your other subjects, or follow the 12-week or 6-week plan.

Source: Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus, 2026 to 2028, checked October 2026. Exam boards update their syllabuses, so check the latest version with your school.