IGCSE Biology Study Guide & Review

Prepare for Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 by connecting Core or Supplement knowledge to precise mechanisms, unfamiliar data and experimental decisions across the correct multiple-choice, theory and practical assessment route.

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  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

How to study Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610

Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 rewards precise knowledge and transfer. Learn each process as a causal chain linking structure, mechanism, condition and outcome, then carry it between molecules, cells, organisms and ecosystems. Extended learners need Core plus Supplement, not a separate set of three Topics. Build these links through osmosis, enzyme action, photosynthesis and homeostasis before attempting unfamiliar figures or cross-Topic explanations.

Reconstruct the mechanism and vocabulary in Concept and retrieve definitions, sequences, labels and comparison points in Mastery without notes. Apply them through the Question Bank using diagrams, tables, graphs and experimental scenarios. Classify the first lost mark as recall, causal reasoning, command-word choice, data interpretation or practical design, repair that exact Topic or skill and retry a nearby question. Treat planning, measurement, drawing and evaluation as Biology learning throughout the course.

Practise 0610 Biology by response behaviour

Use distinct routines for causal mechanisms, terminology and commands, biological representations, quantitative data and experimental planning or evaluation.

Build mechanisms across scales

Osmosis, enzymes, photosynthesis, transport, respiration, homeostasis and inheritance

Write structure, process, condition and outcome as one causal chain, then transfer the same principle to an unfamiliar organism, graph or experimental setup. Check that every connective word explains why the next biological change occurs rather than merely naming a sequence.

Practise Osmosis

Match terminology to commands

Diffusion versus osmosis, genotype versus phenotype, and describe, explain, compare, suggest or evaluate

Answer one biological prompt under two different command words. Mark each point as an observation, relationship, cause, evidence-based suggestion or judgement, then remove statements that do not perform the command instead of expanding the answer with unrelated facts.

Retrieve with Mastery

Read images, diagrams and scale

Cell structures, specimens, leaves, heart and vessels, inheritance diagrams, magnification and biological drawings

Retrieve labels and functions before interpreting an unfamiliar image. Measure or calculate with units, compare visible evidence and produce large, clear, unshaded biological drawings with continuous lines; use the representation to support a biological conclusion rather than treating labelling as the final task.

Practise data presentation

Turn data into biological evidence

Rates, concentrations, transpiration, populations, percentages, gradients, tables, graphs and unit conversions

Read axes and headings first, calculate with units and describe the pattern using values. Explain the pattern through a relevant mechanism, identify anomalies or uncertainty and state a conclusion limited to the evidence instead of converting correlation into unsupported biological causation.

Practise problem solving

Plan and evaluate investigations

Osmosis, food tests, enzymes, photosynthesis, transpiration, germination, variation and sampling

State the independent, dependent and controlled variables, safe method, repeat strategy and measurement precision. Design the results table or graph, draw a conclusion from supplied evidence and propose one specific improvement that repairs the named limitation for either practical assessment route.

Practise experimental skills

Where to start

Start from a known Topic or diagnose whether the first weakness is factual recall, causal reasoning, unfamiliar data, command words or practical design.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact route, confirm your Core or Core-plus-Supplement scope and identify the missing mechanism, representation or practical decision.

    Browse the course map

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Use mixed 0610 questions to separate recall gaps from explanations, data interpretation, command-word errors and experimental planning.

    Start a Biology diagnostic

Choose the right 0610 starting point

  1. Explain the biological mechanism

    Build a structure-to-process-to-outcome chain with correct conditions and vocabulary, adding a diagram or scale change where it improves the explanation.

    Review a Concept

  2. Retrieve without notes

    Reproduce definitions, sequence steps, labelled structures, equations, tests and comparison points before checking the source or mark scheme.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply, classify and repair

    Answer an unfamiliar figure, dataset or experiment, locate the first unsupported decision and revisit only the responsible Topic or scientific skill.

    Practise 0610 questions

Explore the 2026–2028 Cambridge 0610 syllabus

Cambridge publishes 21 Biology content Topics with Core and Supplement statements. EduNinja adds one cross-cutting assessed-scientific-skills navigation group, so the map shows 22 local groups; open one Topic and confirm the statement-level scope for your Core or Extended route.

22
syllabus groups
64
mapped topics

1. Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Open unit questions
1.1 Characteristics of living organisms1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems1.3 Features of organisms

2. Organisation of the organism

Open unit questions
2.1 Cell structure2.2 Size of specimens

3. Movement into and out of cells

Open unit questions
3.1 Diffusion3.2 Osmosis3.3 Active transport

4. Biological molecules

Open unit questions
4.1 Biological molecules

5. Enzymes

Open unit questions
5.1 Enzymes

6. Plant nutrition

Open unit questions
6.1 Photosynthesis6.2 Leaf structure

7. Human nutrition

Open unit questions
7.1 Diet7.2 Digestive system7.3 Physical digestion7.4 Chemical digestion7.5 Absorption

8. Transport in plants

Open unit questions
8.1 Xylem and phloem8.2 Water uptake8.3 Transpiration8.4 Translocation

9. Transport in animals

Open unit questions
9.1 Circulatory systems9.2 Heart9.3 Blood vessels9.4 Blood

10. Diseases and immunity

Open unit questions
10.1 Diseases and immunity

11. Gas exchange in humans

Open unit questions
11.1 Gas exchange in humans

12. Respiration

Open unit questions
12.1 Respiration12.2 Aerobic respiration12.3 Anaerobic respiration

13. Excretion in humans

Open unit questions
13.1 Excretion in humans

14. Coordination and response

Open unit questions
14.1 Coordination and response14.2 Sense organs14.3 Hormones14.4 Homeostasis14.5 Tropic responses

15. Drugs

Open unit questions
15.1 Drugs

16. Reproduction

Open unit questions
16.1 Asexual reproduction16.2 Sexual reproduction16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans16.5 Sex hormones in humans16.6 Sexually transmitted infections

17. Inheritance

Open unit questions
17.1 Chromosomes, genes and proteins17.2 Mitosis17.3 Meiosis17.4 Monohybrid inheritance

18. Variation and selection

Open unit questions
18.1 Variation18.2 Adaptive features18.3 Selection

19. Organisms and their environment

Open unit questions
19.1 Energy flow19.2 Food chains and food webs19.3 Nutrient cycles19.4 Populations

20. Human influences on ecosystems

Open unit questions
20.1 Food supply20.2 Habitat destruction20.3 Pollution20.4 Conservation

21. Biotechnology and genetic modification

Open unit questions
21.1 Biotechnology and genetic modification21.2 Biotechnology21.3 Genetic modification

22. Assessed scientific skills

Open unit questions
22.1 Handling information and problem-solving22.2 Experimental skills and investigations22.3 Mathematical and data-presentation skills

Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 assessment routes

Every candidate takes three papers: Core uses Papers 1 and 3, Extended uses Papers 2 and 4, and both routes add either Paper 5 or Paper 6. The practical alternatives assess the same AO3 skills and contexts.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core)40 compulsory four-option questions on Core40 marksThe Core multiple-choice paper assesses AO1 knowledge and AO2 handling of information or problem-solving. It is externally assessed and belongs with Paper 3 plus one practical alternative.How to prepare: Retrieve Core definitions and principles quickly, but diagnose distractors rather than memorising letters. For every error, explain which biological principle the selected option violated and why the correct option fits the stem, including any unfamiliar data, quantity or representation.45 minutes30%
Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended)40 compulsory four-option questions on Core and Supplement40 marksThe Extended multiple-choice paper assesses AO1 and AO2 across Core plus Supplement. It is externally assessed and belongs with Paper 4 plus one practical alternative.How to prepare: Mix Core and Supplement retrieval with quantitative and unfamiliar-context questions. Reject each distractor using the exact mechanism, condition or data feature it contradicts, then repair the underlying Topic rather than treating a wrong answer as a timing problem alone.45 minutes30%
Paper 3: Theory (Core)Compulsory short-answer and structured Core questions80 marksThe Core theory paper assesses AO1 and AO2 through compulsory short-answer and structured questions. Candidates may use calculators throughout the Biology assessment.How to prepare: Practise concise definitions, labelled biological representations and complete causal explanations within Core scope. For data questions, quote values with units, describe the pattern before explaining it and finish with a conclusion limited to the evidence supplied.1 hour 15 minutes50%
Paper 4: Theory (Extended)Compulsory short-answer and structured Core and Supplement questions80 marksThe Extended theory paper assesses AO1 and AO2 across Core plus Supplement through compulsory short-answer and structured questions, including unfamiliar figures, data and linked biological contexts.How to prepare: Build multi-step mechanism answers with precise terminology, then transfer them across Topics and scales. Practise extracting evidence from unfamiliar images, tables and graphs, performing calculations with units and matching the depth of the response to the command word.1 hour 15 minutes50%
Paper 5: Practical TestLaboratory experiments assessing AO340 marksCandidates perform laboratory work and are assessed on apparatus and technique, planning, observation and measurement, data handling, drawing, conclusion, evaluation and method improvement.How to prepare: Rehearse safe apparatus choice, variable control, repeats, precise measurement, tables, graphs and biological drawings through hands-on investigations. Treat conclusions and improvements as evidence decisions: identify the limitation first, then propose a feasible change that directly reduces it.1 hour 15 minutes20%
Paper 6: Alternative to PracticalWritten scenarios assessing AO3; no experiment is performed in the exam40 marksCandidates answer written questions on the same experimental skills and contexts as Paper 5, using supplied methods, observations, results, tables, graphs, drawings and planning scenarios.How to prepare: Practise practical decisions from written evidence: identify variables, complete methods, design tables or graphs, interpret results and evaluate limitations. Because the AO3 scope matches Paper 5, build genuine experimental understanding instead of treating Paper 6 as a non-practical recall paper.1 hour20%

SourceCambridge International Education · Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20280610 · 2026–2028 · Version 2 · December 2025

Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 questions

All candidates study Core. Extended learners study Core plus Supplement and take Papers 2 and 4, while Core candidates take Papers 1 and 3. Core offers grades C–G; Extended offers A*–G. Supplement statements occur across many official Topics, so the few local rows labelled Extended are not the complete Extended syllabus.

Core candidates take Papers 1 and 3; Extended candidates take Papers 2 and 4. Every candidate then takes either Paper 5 Practical Test or Paper 6 Alternative to Practical, making three papers in total. Confirm your tier, paper variant and practical alternative with your school or exams officer before planning timed practice.

No. They are alternative 20% practical components, and a candidate takes exactly one. Cambridge states that both assess the same AO3 experimental skills and contexts, so Paper 6 is not a reduced or easier practical syllabus. Your centre determines which alternative is available, while your preparation should cover planning, measurement, data, drawing and evaluation.

Practise experimental thinking from written scenarios: identify variables and controls, complete a safe method, choose repeats and measurements, design tables and graphs, interpret supplied results, produce biological drawings and evaluate limitations. Carrying out relevant experiments during the course remains valuable because Paper 6 tests the same practical understanding and contexts as Paper 5.

Cambridge's official syllabus contains 21 numbered Biology content Topics. EduNinja preserves those and adds one navigation group for assessed scientific skills: handling information, experimental investigations, mathematics and data presentation. It is a cross-cutting practice layer, not an official twenty-second content Topic, and those skills can be assessed through any biological context.