IGCSE Biology 0610 — May-June 2024 Past Papers, Topics & Exam Tips
The Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) May-June 2024 session consisted of 6 papers across 18 variants, covering 29 syllabus topics across all papers. This page links to every question paper, mark scheme, grade threshold and session feedback document released by Cambridge for this session, together with a topic-level breakdown of what was tested and topic-matched exam tips in our own voice.
Topic coverage in May-June 2024
Marks in this session were weighted unevenly across the 29 syllabus topics, with the heaviest emphasis on Photosynthesis. Substantial weight also fell on Enzymes and Biotechnology and genetic modification , with Diet and Gas exchange in humans rounding out the five most-tested areas. Together these five topics made up well over half of the topic-level marks awarded in the May-June 2024 session — a useful signal for where to focus revision time. The full topic-by-paper breakdown is further down the page.
Exam tips for topics in May-June 2024
- → Photosynthesis: State that the labelled CO2 diffuses in through the stomata and is then fixed into glucose during photosynthesis inside the chloroplast.
- → Enzymes: Learn the pH optimum of at least three specific enzymes (e.g., pepsin, salivary amylase, pancreatic lipase).
- → Biotechnology and genetic modification: Create flashcards to learn the definitions of 'antigen', 'antibody', and 'allele' cold; drill them until you never confuse them.
- → Diet: List *specifically* why carbohydrates, protein and fiber are vital components of a balanced diet and detail the advantages of low fat.
- → Gas exchange in humans: Revise what stomata actually do: controlling gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out) is their primary function.
Study Resources for Biology
Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:
0610 May-June 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.
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.
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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (7 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0610 Paper 3 from May-June 2024 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Habitat destruction (Human influences on ecosystems) worth 14 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Diet (13 marks) and Enzymes (12 marks).
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Habitat destruction 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (7 topics, 80 marks total)
This 0610 Paper 4 from May-June 2024 tests 7 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Concept and use of a classification system (Characteristics and classification of living organisms) worth 17 marks out of 80 total marks. Other significant topics include Blood (14 marks) and Cell structure and organisation (11 marks).
Mark distribution by topic:
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 5 - Practical Test
1 hr 15 min • 40 marks
Tests practical skills including planning experiments, recording data, and drawing conclusions from results.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 5 (2 topics, 40 marks total)
This 0610 Paper 5 from May-June 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Biotechnology and genetic modification (Biotechnology and genetic modification) worth 25 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Diet (9 marks)
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Biotechnology and genetic modification 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.
View syllabus topics tested in Paper 6 (2 topics, 40 marks total)
This 0610 Paper 6 from May-June 2024 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Biotechnology and genetic modification (Biotechnology and genetic modification) worth 26 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Diet (8 marks)
Mark distribution by topic:
Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your Biology revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Biotechnology and genetic modification to maximize your score.
Other Resources
Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.
What was tested on each paper — 0610 May-June 2024
Here's which syllabus topics appeared in each of the 6 Biology 0610 papers in May-June 2024 and how the marks broke down. Focus your revision on the papers you're sitting — Papers 1, 3 and 6 for Core tier; Papers 2, 4 and 6 for Extended tier. Click any topic below to jump straight to our revision notes, or browse the full Biology 0610 revision guide →.
Paper 3 — Theory (Core) · 80 marks total
Tested 7 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Habitat destruction (14m), Diet (13m), Enzymes (12m), Respiration (12m), Biotechnology and genetic modification (10m) and Photosynthesis (10m), plus 1 other topic.
Paper 4 — Theory (Extended) · 80 marks total
Tested 7 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Concept and use of a classification system (17m), Blood (14m), Cell structure and organisation (11m), Biological molecules (11m), Enzymes (10m) and Characteristics of living organisms (9m), plus 1 other topic.
Paper 6 — Alternative to Practical · 40 marks total
Tested 2 topics. The heaviest-weighted were Biotechnology and genetic modification (26m) and Diet (8m).
0610 May-June 2024 at a glance
- Papers: 6 (18 variants total)
- Topics covered: 29
- Highest-weighted topic: Photosynthesis
- Grade thresholds: released by Cambridge (linked above)
- Session feedback: Cambridge report available
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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:
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):
* 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 May-June 2024 past papers?
Are 0610 mark schemes included?
What papers are available for IGCSE Biology 0610?
What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?
How can I practice these past papers effectively?
Continue Studying Biology
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