Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) - February-March 2022 Past Papers

Q: What papers are available for IGCSE Biology?

IGCSE Biology (0610) has 6 papers covering Multiple Choice, Theory, and Practical components. Core tier: Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier: Papers 2, 4, 5/6.

Q: What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?

The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions used in different time zones. All variants test the same syllabus at the same difficulty level and are equally valid for revision.

Q: How can I practice these past papers effectively?

Use LumiExams Exam Hub (lumiexams.com/tools/exam-hub) to practice past papers like real exams. View question papers and mark schemes side-by-side to self-mark your answers. Free, no sign-up, and your files stay private.

Download 15 free IGCSE Biology past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the February-March 2022 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE Biology (0610)

IGCSE Biology examines cell biology, human physiology, plant biology, ecology, genetics, and evolution. Candidates must understand life processes, interpret biological diagrams, and analyze experimental results.

What this exam tests: Key skills include data analysis, drawing conclusions from experiments, and explaining biological mechanisms.

Papers available in variants 11, 12, 13 for different time zones. All variants cover the same Biology syllabus with equal difficulty.

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Biology

Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:

0610 February-March 2022 Papers

0610 Paper 1 - Multiple Choice (Core)

45 min • 40 marks

Tests broad syllabus knowledge with 40 questions. Each question has four options (A-D). Core tier paper.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

0610 Paper 2 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

45 min • 40 marks

Extended tier multiple choice with more challenging questions covering the full syllabus. 40 questions, 45 minutes.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

0610 Paper 3 - Theory (Core)

1 hr 15 min • 80 marks

Structured and free-response questions testing understanding and application. Core tier, grades available C-G.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (7 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 3 from February-March 2022 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Circulatory system (Transport in animals) worth 14 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Photosynthesis (13 marks) and Concept and use of a classification system (13 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Circulatory system 14/80

Photosynthesis 13/80

Concept and use of a classification system 13/80

Hormones 12/80

Enzymes 11/80

Respiration 9/80

Cell structure and organisation 8/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Circulatory system to maximize your score.

0610 Paper 4 - Theory (Extended)

1 hr 15 min • 80 marks

Extended tier theory paper with more demanding questions. Full grade range A*-G available with this paper.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (6 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 4 from February-March 2022 tests 6 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Sexual reproduction in humans (Reproduction) worth 15 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Gas exchange in humans (14 marks) and Population size (14 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Sexual reproduction in humans 15/80

Gas exchange in humans 14/80

Population size 14/80

Enzymes 13/80

Cell structure and organisation 13/80

Biological molecules 11/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Sexual reproduction in humans to maximize your score.

0610 Paper 5 - Practical Test

1 hr 15 min • 40 marks

Tests practical skills including planning experiments, recording data, and drawing conclusions from results.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 5 from February-March 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Physical and chemical digestion (Human nutrition) worth 27 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Diet (13 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Physical and chemical digestion 27/40

Diet 13/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Physical and chemical digestion to maximize your score.

0610 Paper 6 - Alternative to Practical

1 hr • 40 marks

Written paper testing practical skills through questions about experimental methods, data, and analysis.

Question Paper

Mark Scheme

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 6 from February-March 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Physical and chemical digestion (Human nutrition) worth 27 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Diet (13 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Physical and chemical digestion 27/40

Diet 13/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Physical and chemical digestion to maximize your score.

Other Resources

Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.

Examiner Report

Insights from examiners on how students performed. Learn common mistakes to avoid and what examiners look for in top answers.

View

Confidential Instructions

Instructions for teachers on practical exams. Useful for understanding experiment setups and expected procedures.

0610 February-March 2022 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in February-March 2022, showing how marks are distributed. Use this to focus your revision on topics relevant to your papers.

0610 Paper 3 (Theory (Core))

80 marks total

Circulatory system (Transport in animals)

Notes 11 cards

14m

Photosynthesis (Plant nutrition)

Notes 12 cards

13m

Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms)

Notes 10 cards

13m

Hormones (Coordination and response)

Notes 10 cards

12m

Enzymes (Enzymes)

Notes 12 cards

11m

Respiration (Respiration)

Notes 10 cards

+ 1 more topics

0610 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total

Sexual reproduction in humans (Reproduction)

Notes 12 cards

15m

Gas exchange in humans (Gas exchange in humans)

Notes 12 cards

14m

Population size (Organisms and their environment)

Notes 12 cards

14m

Enzymes (Enzymes)

Notes 12 cards

13m

Cell structure and organisation (Organisation of the organism)

Notes 12 cards

13m

Biological molecules (Biological molecules)

Notes 12 cards

11m

0610 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total

Physical and chemical digestion (Human nutrition)

Notes 10 cards

27m

Diet (Human nutrition)

Notes 12 cards

13m

0610 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total

Physical and chemical digestion (Human nutrition)

Notes 10 cards

27m

Diet (Human nutrition)

Notes 12 cards

13m

Study tip: If you're taking the Extended tier, focus on Papers 2, 4, and 6. For Core tier, prepare for Papers 1, 3, and 5/6. Review the topics above for your specific papers and practice past questions from those syllabus areas.

Examiner Insights - February-March 2022

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

• Carefully read and understand the question before answering. Pay attention to command words (describe, explain, compare) and any instructions within the question.
• Review key concepts and definitions regularly, particularly those you find challenging. Use flashcards or other study aids.
• Practice interpreting graphs and data sets, and be accurate in extracting and manipulating data.
• For experimental planning questions, identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables and describe your control methods clearly.
• For biological drawings, use clear lines and avoid shading. Pay attention to proportions and details.

Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Overall, candidates demonstrated a good understanding of certain biological concepts, but struggled with others. Careful reading of questions and a methodical approach are crucial for success.

Study Tips:

✓ When reading questions, underline key information and command words to focus your answer.
✓ Create flashcards for definitions and key processes, especially those you find challenging.
✓ When tackling genetics questions, use Punnett squares to figure out the probabilities of the offspring phenotype

Common Mistakes:

Q8 (Cell Structure)

✗ Identifying the cell wall as the partially permeable membrane.

→ Remember that the cell membrane is the partially permeable membrane, regulating the passage of substances in and out of the cell.

Q9 (Vitamin C test)

✗ Not knowing that the reagent (likely DCPIP) changes from blue to colourless in the presence of Vitamin C and that no heating is required.

→ Memorize the reagents and expected color changes for common food tests, like the vitamin C test.

Q12 (Photosynthesis)

✗ Forgetting that both light and chlorophyll are necessary to produce starch in photosynthesis, and not recalling the positive test color for starch.

→ Review the requirements for photosynthesis and the iodine test for starch. Positive test color is blue-black.

Q18 (Phloem transport)

✗ Thinking starch is transported in the phloem.

→ Remember that sugars (e.g., sucrose) are transported in the phloem, while starch is a storage molecule and is insoluble, hence not transported.

Paper 22 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

Candidates showed strong understanding in several core areas, but demonstrated some uncertainty in specific concepts. Careful attention to detail and question requirements remain crucial.

Study Tips:

✓ Practice reading and interpreting graphs with different axes and scales.
✓ Create concise summaries for key processes, like blood clotting and photosynthesis, focusing on the sequence of events.
✓ Be able to identify limiting factors on graphs

Common Mistakes:

Q2 (Cell structure)

✗ Being uncertain whether protoctists or prokaryotes possess a nucleus.

→ Remember that prokaryotes do not have a nucleus.

Q11 (Photosynthesis)

✗ Forgetting that both light and chlorophyll are necessary to produce starch in photosynthesis, and not recalling the positive test color for starch.

→ Review the requirements for photosynthesis and the iodine test for starch. Positive test color is blue-black.

Q12 (Limiting factors of photosynthesis)

✗ Incorrectly identifying carbon dioxide concentration as the limiting factor when light intensity was the limiting factor until the graph line plateaus.

→ Understand how to read graphs illustrating limiting factors, identifying the factor that is limiting the rate of photosynthesis at a specific point on the graph.

Q18 (Blood clotting)

✗ Being unsure whether fibrinogen is converted to fibrin or whether fibrin is converted to fibrinogen during blood clotting.

→ Remember that during blood clotting, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin.

Paper 32 - Theory (Core)

Many candidates showed a good understanding of biological processes and could communicate their responses clearly. However, carefully reading the stimulus material and instructions is vital for maximizing success.

Study Tips:

✓ When answering questions, ensure you address the specific command words (describe, explain, suggest, compare) correctly.
✓ Use the mark allocation for each question as a guide to the number of points you need to make.
✓ When stating differences make sure that they are genetic

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Cell Structure)

✗ Incorrectly identifying a cell membrane.

→ Review the structures of plant and animal cells and their functions.

Q1 (Diffusion)

✗ Stating osmosis as the answer when it required understanding of the process of diffusion.

→ Know the definition of osmosis as it pertains to the presence of a membrane

Q2 (Sexual vs Asexual Reproduction)

✗ Not giving three distinct differences between sexual and asexual reproduction

→ When three marks are allocated to a question, three distinct points must be made

Q3 (Heart structure and function)

✗ Identifying structure Y as a pulmonary artery instead of a pulmonary vein

→ Review the structure of the heart and blood vessels going in/out.

Paper 42 - Theory (Extended)

Many candidates demonstrated strong scientific knowledge. Understanding command words, mathematical skills, and key terminology are essential for accessing available marks.

Study Tips:

✓ Review all syllabus material, using the syllabus as a checklist to ensure complete coverage.
✓ Distinguish between key terms like antibiotic, antigen, antibody, and allele.
✓ Be precise and use suitable scientific language to explain phenomena accurately.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Gas Exchange)

✗ Simply describing the data for gas B and gas C, which was irrelevant

→ Explain that gas B was required for the process of respiration and that gas C was a product of this process. Some candidates explained in terms of diffusion of the gases down a concentration gradient between the alveoli and the capillaries (or vice versa), which was acceptable

Q2 (Artificial insemination)

✗ Many candidates lacked detail. Occasionally, there was some confusion between in vitro fertilisation and artificial insemination.

→ Focus on the extraction of sperm and insertion into the uterus when discussing artifical insemination

Q3 (Transpiration)

✗ Simply describing the results when the command word for this question was explain

→ Try to relate the loss of mass at increasing temperature to the effects on the water molecules

Q4 (Antibiotic resistance)

✗ Confusing immunity, antibiotics, antigens, and antibodies. Mistakenly thinking that exposure to antibiotics causes mutation.

→ Understand that random mutations led to variation in the bacterial population and describe the resulting natural selection when this population was exposed to antibiotics.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0610 February-March 2022. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The February-March 2022 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0610 past papers from February-March 2022, including question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and examiner reports (ER). Use these resources to practice under timed conditions and understand how examiners award marks.

View all 0610 past papers → | All 2022 sessions →

Get Biology Study Tips

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0610 Study Tips & FAQ

What are paper variants?

Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.

Variant 1 (e.g., 11, 21): Usually for Zone 1 (Americas)
Variant 2 (e.g., 12, 22): Usually for Zone 2 (Europe, Africa)
Variant 3 (e.g., 13, 23): Usually for Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania)

All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.

How to use Mark Schemes effectively

Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.

Example from a Physics mark scheme:

Q: Calculate the speed of a car that travels 150m in 5 seconds. [2]

Mark scheme answer:

• speed = distance / time [1 mark for formula]

• speed = 150 / 5 = 30 m/s [1 mark for correct answer with unit]

Tips:

Look for key words that must appear in your answer
Note how many points are needed for each mark
Check if units are required for the final mark
Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)

Understanding Grade Thresholds

Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.

Example Grade Thresholds (out of 100 total):

90+

80-89

70-79

60-69

* Actual thresholds vary by subject and session

How to use thresholds:

Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends

How is the topic breakdown calculated?

The "Topics Breakdown by Paper" section above shows which syllabus topics are tested in each paper and how many marks they carry. Here's how we calculate this:

Our methodology:

Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0610 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
Sum marks per topic: For each paper, we add up the marks for all questions testing the same topic. For example, if Q1 (4 marks) and Q5b (3 marks) both test "Enzymes", that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.

Example: If Paper 3 shows "Photosynthesis - 13 marks", it means questions worth a total of 13 marks (out of the paper's 80 marks) tested the Photosynthesis topic from the Plant Nutrition unit of the syllabus.

How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4, 6 for Extended tier). The topics with the highest marks in YOUR papers are where you should focus your revision. A topic worth 15 marks deserves more study time than one worth 3 marks.

Note: Our topic matching may be inaccurate for questions that span multiple topics. Use this as a guide alongside the official syllabus.

How to Use IGCSE Biology Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0610 Paper 4 is 1 hr 15 min - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.

✅ Self-Marking

Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in Biology responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0610 examiner report to see common mistakes. Focus revision on topics where candidates typically lose marks.

🎯 Grade Targets

Check grade thresholds to see how many marks you need for your target grade. An A* in IGCSE Biology typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Biology February-March 2022 past papers?

You can download all IGCSE Biology (0610) February-March 2022 past papers directly from this page. We provide 15 files including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for all variants (11, 12, 13). Click "View" to open in browser or "Download" to save the PDF.

Are 0610 mark schemes included?

Yes, mark schemes for all 0610 February-March 2022 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.

What papers are available for IGCSE Biology 0610?

IGCSE Biology (0610) has 6 papers: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice (Core)), Paper 2 (Multiple Choice (Extended)), Paper 3 (Theory (Core)), Paper 4 (Theory (Extended)), Paper 5 (Practical Test), Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Core tier students take Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4, 5/6.

What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?

The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions of the same paper used in different time zones to prevent cheating. All variants test the same syllabus content at the same difficulty level. You can practice with any variant as they are equally valid for revision.

How can I practice these past papers effectively?

Use our free Exam Hub to practice past papers like real exams. It lets you view question papers and mark schemes side-by-side, so you can self-mark your answers. No sign-up required, works with any PDF, and your files stay completely private.

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