0610

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) - October-November 2022 Past Papers

Download 41 free IGCSE Biology past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the October-November 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:

Revision Notes
61 topics
Flashcards
669 cards
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge

0610 October-November 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3

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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3

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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (6 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 3 from October-November 2022 tests 6 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms) worth 15 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Sexual reproduction in humans (14 marks) and Diet (14 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Concept and use of a classification system 15/80
Sexual reproduction in humans 14/80
Diet 14/80
Respiration 13/80
Photosynthesis 13/80
Mitosis 11/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Concept and use of a classification 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (6 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 4 from October-November 2022 tests 6 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Water and living organisms (Biological molecules) worth 16 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Concept and use of a classification system (16 marks) and Gas exchange in humans (16 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Water and living organisms 16/80
Concept and use of a classification system 16/80
Gas exchange in humans 16/80
Physical and chemical digestion 12/80
Digestive system 10/80
Pollution 10/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Water and living organisms 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 5 from October-November 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Diet (Human nutrition) worth 19 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Enzymes (15 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Diet 19/40
Enzymes 15/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Diet 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.

Select variant:
Question Paper
Mark Scheme
QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:
v1
v2
v3
MS:
v1
v2
v3
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 6 from October-November 2022 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Diet (Human nutrition) worth 19 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Enzymes (15 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Diet 19/40
Enzymes 15/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Diet 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.

P5
P5
P5

0610 October-November 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 October-November 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
Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms)
Notes 10 cards
15m
Sexual reproduction in humans (Reproduction)
Notes 12 cards
14m
Diet (Human nutrition)
Notes 12 cards
14m
Respiration (Respiration)
Notes 10 cards
13m
Photosynthesis (Plant nutrition)
Notes 12 cards
13m
Mitosis (Inheritance)
Notes 9 cards
11m

0610 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total
Water and living organisms (Biological molecules)
16m
Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms)
Notes 10 cards
16m
Gas exchange in humans (Gas exchange in humans)
Notes 12 cards
16m
Physical and chemical digestion (Human nutrition)
Notes 10 cards
12m
Digestive system (Human nutrition)
Notes 13 cards
10m
Pollution (Human influences on ecosystems)
Notes 12 cards
10m

0610 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total
Diet (Human nutrition)
Notes 12 cards
19m
Enzymes (Enzymes)
Notes 12 cards
15m

0610 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total
Diet (Human nutrition)
Notes 12 cards
19m
Enzymes (Enzymes)
Notes 12 cards
15m

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 - October-November 2022

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Read questions carefully and pay attention to command words to provide appropriate answers.
  • • Ensure a solid understanding of basic biological definitions (e.g., population, species, osmosis).
  • • Practice applying the magnification formula and performing percentage change calculations.
  • • Review key biological processes and their requirements (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, active transport).
  • • Carefully analyze diagrams and graphs to extract relevant information for your answers, and use the correct units when quoting data.
Paper 11 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Overall, there was a good understanding of some basic biology concepts, but some uncertainty was present in areas like dental decay, populations, and antibiotics. Candidates also need to be careful when methodically working through information presented in questions to avoid errors.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice applying the magnification formula with different units.
  • ✓ Carefully review the definitions of key ecological terms (population, community, ecosystem).
  • ✓ Methodically work through information provided in questions to avoid careless errors.

Common Mistakes:

Q4 (Cell Structure)
✗ Believing root hair cells contain chloroplasts or not knowing that sperm cells don't have a cell wall.
→ Review the structures present in plant and animal cells. Understand the function of each of the structures.
Q8 (Osmosis)
✗ Selecting a potato cylinder that increased in mass when it should have decreased in a higher sucrose concentration.
→ Understand the relationship between solute concentration and water potential. Remember that water moves from high to low water potential.
Q9 (Food Tests)
✗ Believing Benedict's solution is used to test for protein.
→ Memorize the reagents used for each food test (biuret for protein, iodine for starch, Benedict's solution for reducing sugars, ethanol emulsion test for lipids).
Q10 (Enzymes)
✗ Believing the product binds to an enzyme to form a substrate.
→ Remember the substrate binds to the enzyme to form a product.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Generally, candidates demonstrated solid understanding of pathogens, fertilization, mineral ion uptake, adrenaline, drugs, and testosterone. However, uncertainty remained concerning xylem placement, expired air composition, transpiration, anaerobic respiration, and eye refraction.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ When answering questions, carefully consider the information presented and avoid making assumptions.
  • ✓ Distinguish between description and explanation in answers.

Common Mistakes:

Q4 (Cell Structure)
✗ Believing that root hair cells contain chloroplasts, or not recognizing that sperm cells lack a cell wall.
→ Review the cellular structures of plant and animal cells.
Q6 (Magnification Calculations)
✗ Incorrectly dividing the magnification by the actual length instead of multiplying.
→ Carefully apply the magnification formula: Image Size = Actual Size x Magnification.
Q7 (Plant Transport)
✗ Confusing the location and function of xylem and phloem.
→ Remember that xylem transports water and minerals, while phloem transports sugars. Xylem is on the inside, phloem on the outside.
Q14 (Tooth Structure)
✗ Being uncertain about which part of a tooth is enamel and dentine.
→ Study and label diagrams of tooth structure to correctly identify enamel, dentine, pulp, and other parts.
Paper 13 - Multiple Choice (Core)

Students showed good understanding of the magnification formula, mineral ion uptake, and photosynthesis. However, transpiration, identifying the coronary artery, energy use in respiration, and oxygen percentage in expired air were areas of uncertainty. Candidates need to carefully interpret provided information.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Pay close attention to the wording of questions, especially when tables or other data are presented.
  • ✓ Review the functions of different parts of the human body, such as the coronary artery and the kidneys.

Common Mistakes:

Q4 (Cell Structure)
✗ Believing that root hair cells contain chloroplasts, or that sperm cells have a cell wall.
→ Know the differences between animal and plant cells.
Q9 (Food Tests)
✗ Believing Benedict's solution is used to test for protein.
→ Benedict's tests for reducing sugars, Biuret tests for proteins.
Q10 (Enzymes)
✗ Identifying protease as a substrate instead of a catalyst.
→ Understand the role of enzymes as biological catalysts.
Q15 (Tooth Structure)
✗ Not well understood of tooth structure or dental decay.
→ Review tooth structure and process of dental decay in detail.
Paper 21 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

Candidates showed good understanding of DNA base sequences, mineral ions from the soil, pathogen definition, and human gametes. Some uncertainty existed around active transport requirements, water potential changes, antibiotic use, expired air oxygen percentage, and stem cell definition.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Work methodically through complex diagrams, labeling each component.
  • ✓ Review the factors that affect water potential and the direction of water movement.

Common Mistakes:

Q3 (Cell Structure)
✗ Believing root hair cells contain chloroplasts or not knowing sperm cells don't have a cell wall.
→ Review plant vs. animal cell structure.
Q5 (Active Transport)
✗ Not appreciating the necessity of oxygen for active transport of glucose and nitrate ions.
→ Active transport requires energy, which is provided by respiration, which requires oxygen.
Q11 (Photosynthesis and Respiration)
✗ Believing hydrogencarbonate indicator in test-tube A (exposed to light) would turn yellow (indicating increased CO2).
→ Remember photosynthesis removes CO2, so the indicator would not turn yellow in the light.
Q13 (Water Potential)
✗ Not appreciating that reducing chloride ions in a solution increases the water potential.
→ Understand how solute concentration affects water potential (inverse relationship).

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0610 October-November 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 October-November 2022 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0610 past papers from October-November 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):

A*
90+
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
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:

  1. Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
  2. Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0610 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
  3. 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 October-November 2022 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Biology (0610) October-November 2022 past papers directly from this page. We provide 41 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 October-November 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.

Continue Studying Biology

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