4BI1

Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1) — 2023 Past Papers

The Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1) 2023 examination consisted of 2 exam sessions totalling 9 downloadable files (4.2 MB). Every session bundle includes question papers and official mark schemes for each of the 2 paper components. Use the session cards below to download individual papers, or jump to a different year at the bottom of the page.

Exam sessions
2
Papers / files
9
Download size
4.2 MB
Paper components
2

2023 Exam Sessions

January Series

January

2023

J
Files 4
Size 2.5 MB
Session 4BI1 / January
View papers
June Series

June

2023

J
Files 5
Size 1.6 MB
Session 4BI1 / June
View papers

4BI1 Paper Components

Edexcel IGCSE Biology is assessed across 2 papers. All papers must be sat in the same exam series for the qualification to be awarded.

Paper 1B
Paper 1B
2 hours
110 marks
Paper 2B
Paper 2B
1 hour 15 minutes
70 marks

What Biology topics came up in 2023

Counted from the 2023 4BI1 question papers below, this is the approximate share of marks across the main Biology specification areas that year — a quick way to see 2023's emphasis before you work through the papers.

Structure and function in living organisms ~36%
Nature and variety of living organisms ~22%
Reproduction and inheritance ~9%
Ecology and the environment ~8%
Use of biological resources ~3%

Browse other 4BI1 years

← 4BI1 2022 All 4BI1 years 4BI1 2024 → All Edexcel IGCSE subjects

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each 4BI1 paper?

Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1) is made up of 2 paper components.

  • 1B
    Paper 1B
    2 hours 110 marks
  • 2B
    Paper 2B
    1 hour 15 minutes 70 marks

Note: Times shown are the official Pearson Edexcel writing time. Each paper is taken in a single sitting.

When are Edexcel IGCSE Biology exams held?

Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1) is mainly examined in the June series each year, with some subjects also offered in January. The 2023 papers on this page cover all 2 sessions that ran in 2023: January 2023, June 2023. Pearson Edexcel publishes question papers and mark schemes after each session.

View the Edexcel IGCSE June 2026 timetable →

What's the difference between Edexcel IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE?
Edexcel IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE are run by different exam boards. Edexcel IGCSE (subject codes start with 4 or similar) is awarded by Pearson; Cambridge IGCSE (subject codes are 4-digit numbers like 0610, 0625) is awarded by Cambridge International. Both are accepted by UK universities and most international institutions, and both are graded on the 9-1 scale for newer specifications. The syllabuses, paper structures and exam dates differ subject by subject — neither is universally "harder" than the other; choose based on what your school offers and which specification you've prepared for. Mark schemes and examiner feedback look quite different in style.
Are mark schemes and examiner reports free to download?
Yes — and LumiExams makes them easy to find. Pearson Edexcel publishes 4BI1 question papers, mark schemes (and examiner reports where released) as free educational materials after each session. The PDFs are © Pearson Education Ltd; LumiExams does not own these documents, we organise the official Edexcel PDFs by year and session so you can study with the same materials your teachers reference, and link directly to each file. For official syllabuses, registration and assessment policy, refer to qualifications.pearson.com.
How should I use the 2023 Biology papers for revision?

Work through one full paper under timed exam conditions, mark it against the official mark scheme, then read the examiner report for that session (where Pearson has published one). The examiner report calls out where students lost the most marks and why — that's the highest-leverage revision target. Pearson updates the Edexcel specification roughly every 3-5 years, so the 2023 papers reflect the specification that was active in 2023. Before relying on these for the year you're sitting, check the current 4BI1 specification on the Pearson Edexcel website.

Pearson Edexcel official specifications →