Cambridge IGCSE Biology Syllabus Guide (0610), 2026–2028
What changed from the 2023–2025 syllabus, how the papers work, all 389 learning objectives by topic, and the diagrams to know
The Cambridge IGCSE Biology syllabus contains 389 learning objectives across 21 topics - more than IGCSE Physics or Chemistry. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know for Core and Supplement (Extended) tiers.
Compared with Physics and Chemistry, Biology has the most content to learn, and it relies on interpreting diagrams and giving clear written explanations. From cells to ecosystems, from DNA to evolution, the scope is vast.
The key to managing this breadth? Understanding the syllabus structure. It shows you which topics have the most learning objectives (hint: coordination and response, reproduction, and inheritance together make up 29%), which areas are Supplement-only, and how topics connect to each other.
This guide gives you the complete picture - so you can focus your revision where it matters most. Ready to practice? Try our IGCSE Biology past papers.
What Changed for 2026–2028?
Nothing that affects what you learn. The 2026–2028 syllabus covers exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028, and Cambridge states that there are no significant changes which affect teaching. Its December 2025 update (version 2) changed a web link, and its August 2026 update (version 3) updated the assessment overview on page 9; the papers, marks and timings are the same as in the 2023–2025 syllabus.
We compared the subject content of the 2023–2025 and 2026–2028 syllabuses line by line. There are no content changes: every learning objective is the same and sits in the same Core or Supplement column. The only differences are small wording edits, for example section 16.5 is now headed “Sex hormones in humans” instead of “Sexual hormones in humans”.
What this means for you
Notes, flashcards and past papers written for the 2023–2025 syllabus are still fully valid for 2026–2028. Past papers from 2023 onwards are the closest practice you can get to your exam.
How the Exam Works (2026–2028)
Every candidate takes three papers: one multiple-choice paper, one theory paper and one practical paper. Which multiple-choice and theory papers you take depends on your tier.
| Paper | Who takes it | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice (Core) | Core | 45 minutes | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended) | Extended | 45 minutes | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 3: Theory (Core) | Core | 1 hour 15 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 4: Theory (Extended) | Extended | 1 hour 15 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 5: Practical Test | Either tier (your school chooses 5 or 6) | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 20% |
| Paper 6: Alternative to Practical | Either tier (your school chooses 5 or 6) | 1 hour | 40 | 20% |
Calculators may be used in all papers. Exams run in the May/June and October/November series, plus a February/March series in India only. See the exam timetables for this year’s dates.
First: Know Your Tier - Core vs Extended
Before diving into the syllabus, you must understand the tier system. Cambridge IGCSE Biology offers two levels of difficulty, and you need to know which one you're taking.
Core Tier
Papers 1 and 3, plus Paper 5 or 6
- 235 learning objectives
- Grades available: C to G
- Foundational concepts
- Descriptive understanding
- Basic diagrams and labelling
- Straightforward explanations
Extended Tier
Papers 2 and 4, plus Paper 5 or 6
- 389 learning objectives (all 235 Core + 154 Supplement)
- Grades available: A* to G
- Advanced concepts
- Detailed mechanisms
- Complex diagrams
- In-depth explanations
Important
Your school or exam centre decides which tier you take. If you're aiming for grades A* to B, you must take Extended. Core tier caps at grade C.
Check with your teacher if you're unsure which tier you're registered for.
The 21 Topics: Syllabus Overview
The IGCSE Biology syllabus has 21 topics, running from characteristics and classification of living organisms and cells, through nutrition, transport, gas exchange, respiration and excretion, to coordination, reproduction, inheritance, ecology and biotechnology. The syllabus progresses from microscopic (cells, molecules) to macroscopic (ecosystems, human impact).
Here's how the learning objectives break down across the major topics:
| Unit | Topic | Core | Supp | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Coordination and response | 20 | 18 | 38 | 10% |
| 16 | Reproduction | 27 | 11 | 38 | 10% |
| 17 | Inheritance | 16 | 21 | 37 | 10% |
| 19 | Organisms and their environment | 23 | 8 | 31 | 8% |
| 9 | Transport in animals | 14 | 14 | 28 | 7% |
| 7 | Human nutrition | 18 | 7 | 25 | 6% |
| 20 | Human influences on ecosystems | 14 | 6 | 20 | 5% |
| 18 | Variation and selection | 13 | 6 | 19 | 5% |
| Other topics (13 smaller units) | 90 | 63 | 153 | 39% | |
| TOTAL | 235 | 154 | 389 | 100% | |
Supplement-Heavy Topics
Some topics have significant Supplement-only content - Core students can skip these:
- Unit 17: Inheritance - 21 Supplement objectives (57%)
- Unit 10: Diseases and immunity - 12 Supplement objectives (71%)
- Unit 14: Coordination and response - 18 Supplement objectives (47%)
Reference: Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) Official Page
Key Insight: The Big Three + Genetics
The top 3 units account for 29% of all learning objectives:
- Coordination and response (10%) - nerves, hormones, eyes, reflexes
- Reproduction (10%) - asexual, sexual, plant and human reproduction
- Inheritance (10%) - chromosomes, genes, protein synthesis, cell division, monohybrid inheritance
These topics are conceptually linked, so revising them together helps. Start practicing with our IGCSE Biology topic quizzes.
Learning Objectives by Topic (Visual)
Bar length shows total objectives. Color split shows Core vs Supplement.
13 smaller topics (153 objectives total) not shown individually.
What Makes Biology Different
Biology differs from Physics and Chemistry in several key ways:
More Content to Learn
389 objectives vs 324 (Physics) and 252 (Chemistry). Biology has the most content to learn of the three.
Diagrams Are Crucial
You need to identify structures in diagrams of cells, organs and systems, construct food chains and interpret food webs. The one structure the syllabus says to draw is an insect-pollinated flower. Practise these regularly.
Interconnected Topics
Topics link together - photosynthesis connects to food chains, which connects to ecosystems, which connects to human impact.
Extended Writing
Many Biology questions ask you to describe or explain a process in words. Practise explaining processes clearly and completely.
Recommended Study Approach
Start with Cells and Molecules
Cell structure, biological molecules, and enzymes are foundational. Everything else builds on this understanding.
Master the Human Body Systems
Digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion, nervous system - these form a large part of the syllabus.
Don't Skip Plant Biology
Photosynthesis, transport in plants, and plant reproduction are often neglected but are part of the syllabus. Learn them thoroughly.
Practice Drawing Diagrams
Cells, leaf, heart and eye - practise identifying their structures in diagrams. Extended students should also be able to outline the structure and function of a nephron. And practise drawing an insect-pollinated flower, which the syllabus asks you to draw.
Connect Genetics to Real Applications
DNA, inheritance, genetic engineering, and selective breeding are increasingly important. Understand the principles and applications.
Use Past Papers to Find Gaps
Practice with IGCSE Biology past papers to identify topics you struggle with, then target those specifically.
Key Takeaways
- 389 total objectives - 235 Core, 154 Supplement-only (more than Physics or Chemistry)
- Three big topics - Coordination and response, Reproduction, and Inheritance make up 29% of the learning objectives
- Know your tier - Core caps at grade C; Extended is needed for A* to B
- Diagrams matter - Practise identifying structures in diagrams, and drawing an insect-pollinated flower
- Topics interconnect - Understanding one topic helps with others
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026–2028 IGCSE Biology syllabus different from 2023–2025?
No, not in content. Cambridge says there are no significant changes which affect teaching, and comparing the two line by line, every learning objective is the same and in the same Core or Supplement column. Only small wording details changed. The papers, marks and timings are also the same.
Can I still use past papers and notes from 2023–2025?
Yes. Because the content is unchanged, past papers from 2023 onwards are the closest practice you can get. Papers from before 2023 were written for an earlier syllabus, so some questions cover content that has since changed; use them with more care. Browse IGCSE Biology past papers.
Do exam questions follow this topic distribution?
There's no guarantee. While topics with more objectives tend to appear more often, Cambridge can emphasize any topic in a given year. One paper might focus heavily on ecology, another on human reproduction. The syllabus distribution is a rough guide, not a prediction. Biology's 21 topics mean variety is high - don't skip anything. The safest approach: cover all topics, but allocate more revision time to larger ones. Check past papers to see how questions actually vary year to year.
Is IGCSE Biology mostly memorization?
There's significant content to learn, but understanding is more important than pure memorization. If you understand why a process works (like how the heart pumps blood), you can reconstruct the details. Focus on understanding mechanisms, then the facts follow naturally.
Which diagrams do I need to know?
The syllabus asks you to identify structures in diagrams of plant and animal cells, the leaf, the digestive system, the heart and the eye, to describe a reflex arc and the carbon cycle, and to draw an insect-pollinated flower. Extended students also need the structure of a nephron and the nitrogen cycle. Practise these until you can do them quickly and accurately.
How do I handle extended writing questions?
Structure your answer clearly: state the process, explain each step, mention the purpose. Use key terms from the syllabus. For "explain" questions, always give the reason why something happens, not just what happens.
Related Syllabus Guides
IGCSE Physics (0625)
324 learning objectives across 6 topics. More calculations - understand the equations, don't just memorize.
IGCSE Chemistry (0620)
252 learning objectives across 12 topics. Organic chemistry (20% of objectives) and mole calculations are key.
Official Resources
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) Syllabus
- Full Syllabus PDF (2026-2028), for exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028
- Previous syllabus PDF (2023-2025), for reference
This guide is based on the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 (version 3, August 2026), compared with the 2023–2025 syllabus. Updated October 2026. Always refer to the official Cambridge syllabus for the definitive version.