0610

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) - March 2024 Past Papers

Download 15 free IGCSE Biology past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the March 2024 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 March 2024 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:
v2
MS:
v2

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:
v2
MS:
v2

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:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (7 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 3 from March 2024 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Photosynthesis (Plant nutrition) worth 15 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Energy flow (15 marks) and Blood (11 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Photosynthesis 15/80
Energy flow 15/80
Blood 11/80
Pollution 11/80
Concept and use of a classification system 10/80
Sense organs 10/80
Biotechnology and genetic modification 8/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Photosynthesis 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:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (5 topics, 80 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 4 from March 2024 tests 5 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Respiration (Respiration) worth 33 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Enzymes (15 marks) and Sexual reproduction in plants (14 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Respiration 33/80
Enzymes 15/80
Sexual reproduction in plants 14/80
Tropic responses 9/80
Sexual reproduction in humans 9/80

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Respiration 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:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 5 from March 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Respiration (Respiration) worth 27 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Cell structure and organisation (13 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Respiration 27/40
Cell structure and organisation 13/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Respiration 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:
v2
MS:
v2
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (2 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0610 Paper 6 from March 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Respiration (Respiration) worth 27 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Cell structure and organisation (13 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Respiration 27/40
Cell structure and organisation 13/40

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

0610 March 2024 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in March 2024, 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
Photosynthesis (Plant nutrition)
Notes 12 cards
15m
Energy flow (Organisms and their environment)
Notes 10 cards
15m
Blood (Transport in animals)
Notes 11 cards
11m
Pollution (Human influences on ecosystems)
Notes 12 cards
11m
Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms)
Notes 10 cards
10m
Sense organs (Coordination and response)
Notes 12 cards
10m

+ 1 more topics

0610 Paper 4 (Theory (Extended))

80 marks total
Respiration (Respiration)
Notes 10 cards
33m
Enzymes (Enzymes)
Notes 12 cards
15m
Sexual reproduction in plants (Reproduction)
Notes 12 cards
14m
Tropic responses (Coordination and response)
Notes 10 cards
9m
Sexual reproduction in humans (Reproduction)
Notes 12 cards
9m

0610 Paper 5 (Practical Test)

40 marks total
Respiration (Respiration)
Notes 10 cards
27m
Cell structure and organisation (Organisation of the organism)
Notes 12 cards
13m

0610 Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)

40 marks total
Respiration (Respiration)
Notes 10 cards
27m
Cell structure and organisation (Organisation of the organism)
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 - March 2024

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

  • • Read questions carefully and answer what is being asked, paying attention to command words (describe vs. explain) and all instructions.
  • • Understand and memorize key definitions, processes, and the correct reagents and expected results for common biological tests.
  • • Practice interpreting data from graphs and tables accurately, including extracting data points with correct units.
  • • When designing experiments, be clear about independent, dependent, and controlled variables, and understand necessary safety precautions.
  • • Work through past papers and mark schemes to familiarize yourself with the style of questions and expected answers.
Paper 12 - Multiple Choice (Core)

There was a good understanding of osmosis, fertilisation, and the location and functions of organs in the digestive system. However, students showed some uncertainty about the structure of blood vessels and the breathing system, the function of ECGs, and calculating percentages in monohybrid crosses.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Carefully read and understand the question before answering.
  • ✓ Practice interpreting graphs and tables accurately.
  • ✓ Review the definitions and differences between key biological processes, such as aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Common Mistakes:

Q2 (Reading comprehension)
✗ Not carefully reading the question
→ Take time to read the question thoroughly before selecting an answer.
Q6 (Diffusion)
✗ Choosing decreasing the surface area or decreasing the concentration gradient as ways to increase the rate of diffusion.
→ Remember that factors which increase diffusion rate are increasing surface area, concentration gradient, or temperature.
Q9 and 10 (Biological molecules tests)
✗ Unable to identify the positive result for the DCPIP test, incorrectly thought Benedict’s solution is used to test for protein.
→ Memorize the reagents and positive results for tests for key biological molecules (starch, glucose, protein, fats) and DCPIP test.
Q12 (Respiration)
✗ Incorrectly thinking that plants are unable to respire.
→ Remember that plants respire at all times and photosynthesise in the presence of light.
Paper 22 - Multiple Choice (Extended)

There was a good understanding of the binomial scientific naming system, cell structure, translocation, respiration, synaptic transmission and IVF. However, there was some uncertainty about biological molecules, limiting factors in photosynthesis, digestion and absorption, the response to exercise, and examples of variation.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice identifying examples of continuous and discontinuous variation.
  • ✓ Review the steps and processes involved in the nitrogen cycle.
  • ✓ Pay close attention to diagrams and graphs, extracting all relevant information.

Common Mistakes:

Q3 (Arthropods)
✗ Confusion about characteristics of arthropods; believing arachnids have three pairs of legs.
→ Memorize the key characteristics of different arthropod groups, including the number of legs.
Q9 (Active transport)
✗ Not realizing that active transport requires a protein carrier in the cell membrane.
→ Understand that active transport requires energy and a protein carrier to move substances against their concentration gradient.
Q11 (Biological molecules)
✗ Incorrectly thought that fat is made from glycogen.
→ Link large molecules with their corresponding small molecules for example, fat is made from fatty acids and glycerol.
Q18 (Digestion)
✗ Incorrectly believing that bile is produced in the gall bladder rather than stored there.
→ Bile is stored in the gall bladder and produced in the liver.
Paper 32 - Theory (Core)

Many candidates were well prepared for the exam. Candidates were generally more successful on short objective questions than longer questions requiring a more detailed answer.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Practice using command words like 'describe' and 'explain' effectively.
  • ✓ When describing from graphs, use data points with units.
  • ✓ Memorize key definitions and precise wordings, especially for biological processes.

Common Mistakes:

Q1(a)(i) (Blood components)
✗ Only drawing three lines when four were required, often missing antibody production for white blood cells.
→ Ensure you provide as many answers as there are marks available in the question, and make sure to associate antibody production with white blood cells.
Q1(a)(ii) (Blood Plasma)
✗ Giving its function as being the liquid part of the blood or thought that plasma was responsible for blood clotting.
→ Remember to give its function as being a transport vehicle, also mention a transported chemical.
Q1(b)(i) (Cell identification)
✗ Mis-identifying the cell as a red blood cell
→ Make sure you learn the key differences between different animal and plant cells
Q1(b)(ii) (Cell Structure)
✗ The nucleus was often identified as a vacuole and the mitochondrion as the nucleus.
→ The nucleus was often identified as a vacuole and the mitochondrion as the nucleus.
Paper 42 - Theory (Extended)

There was a high standard of scientific knowledge and understanding seen with many candidates providing detailed and accurate responses. Most candidates attempted all the questions on the paper.

Study Tips:

  • ✓ Understand the differences between command words like describe and explain.
  • ✓ Practice mathematical skills: show workings, round appropriately, use correct significant figures and units.
  • ✓ Use the syllabus as a revision guide.

Common Mistakes:

Q1(a)(i) (Enzymes)
✗ Not precise enough in their responses, simply referring to catalysts as affecting or changing the rate of reaction rather than increasing it. Candidates also needed to describe a catalyst as being unchanged or not being used up in the reaction rather than not taking part in the reaction.
→ State that a catalyst increases the rate of reaction and is unchanged/not used up.
Q1(b) (Enzyme action)
✗ Few candidates explained this in terms of more successful collisions, or more enzyme-substrate complexes being formed when describing enzyme action at the optimum pH.
→ When describing optimum pH, explain in terms of successful collisions and enzyme-substrate complexes. Active site is complimentary to the enzyme so can bind.
Q2(b) (Heart Defects)
✗ Again, some imprecision was seen in the responses with references to affecting the transport of oxygen throughout the body rather than specifying that a hole in the septum would decrease the transport of oxygen.
→ When describing problems, be specific on the outcome.
Q3(a)(i) (Plant Tropism)
✗ Missing the information that the plant was kept in the dark and giving the incorrect response of phototropism.
→ Carefully read the stimulus information.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0610 March 2024. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The March 2024 examination session included 6 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0610 past papers from March 2024, 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 2024 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 March 2024 past papers?
You can download all IGCSE Biology (0610) March 2024 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 March 2024 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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Revision Notes
61 topics covered
Flashcards
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