IGCSE Biology (0610) Past Papers
Download free Cambridge IGCSE Biology past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from 2020 to 2025. 18 exam sessions available with question papers for all variants.
About IGCSE Biology Exams
IGCSE Biology past papers examine cell biology, human physiology, plant biology, ecology, genetics, and evolution. Assessment includes multiple choice, structured questions, and practical skills.
Exam tip: Use biological terminology precisely - examiners look for specific key words. Practice labeling diagrams and explaining processes step-by-step.
What's included in each session:
Past Papers by Year
Biology 0610 Past Papers
LatestBiology 0610 Past Papers
Biology 0610 Past Papers
Biology 0610 Past Papers
Biology 0610 Past Papers
Biology 0610 Past Papers
Which Biology topics carry the most marks
We matched every question in the 0610 papers above to its main syllabus topic and totalled the marks. Across all 18 sessions, here is the approximate share of marks each of the biggest Biology topics carries — a shortcut to where your past-paper practice and revision pay off most.
Percentages are approximate, tallied from recent years' question papers as a study guide — not an official Cambridge weighting. Always check the current 0610 syllabus for the definitive assessment split.
Where Biology students lose the most marks
The same avoidable mistakes cost marks in Biology year after year. Watch for these as you work through the papers above — catching them in practice is worth more than another full paper.
- Enzymes: In every discussion of enzyme shape, specifically mention the active site.
- Photosynthesis: Master photosynthesis' inputs, outputs, and the iodine-starch test, noting blue-black indicates presence.
- Respiration: Learn the specific end-products from anaerobic respiration in different organisms: ethanol in yeast, lactic acid in muscles.
- Diet: When asked for nutrients, name them ALL from each relevant food group, for full credit.
- Concept and use of a classification system: Mules are infertile because they have an odd number of chromosomes that can't pair evenly.
- Circulatory system: Draw a diagram of the heart and label the order of the blood vessels: vena cava → pulmonary artery → pulmonary vein → aorta.
0610 Paper Structure
How to revise with Biology past papers
1. Start recent, work backwards
Begin with the newest 2025 papers — they best reflect the current 0610 style and mark scheme wording — then work back through earlier years. The papers change less than students fear, so older sessions are still valuable practice once you've seen the latest format.
2. Sit one paper under timed conditions
Print the question paper, set a timer for the paper's real duration, and answer with no notes. Doing a paper "properly" once teaches you more about pacing and pressure than skimming three papers with the mark scheme open beside you.
3. Mark honestly, then diagnose
Mark against the official 0610 mark scheme and note the topic of every mark you dropped. Patterns show up fast — if the marks you lose cluster in one or two of the high-value topics above, that's your next revision session, not another full paper. Use biological terminology precisely - examiners look for specific key words. Practice labeling diagrams and explaining processes step-by-step.
4. Read the examiner report
Each session's examiner report is the highest-value document in the bundle: it names the exact questions that tripped candidates up and what earned the marks. Read it before you re-attempt a paper, then use our Exam Hub to view the question, mark scheme, and report side by side.
Grade thresholds: turning your 0610 mark into a grade
Cambridge doesn't publish fixed grade boundaries in advance. After each session it sets the minimum mark for every grade based on how hard that specific paper turned out to be — a slightly harder paper gets slightly lower thresholds, which keeps grades fair between sessions. That's why the mark you need for an A* in Biology shifts a little from one series to the next.
Each session bundle above includes the official grade-threshold (GT) file, so you can convert your practice mark into the grade it would have earned that session. Two practical habits: aim a comfortable buffer above the threshold you're targeting (thresholds drift, so don't practise to the exact boundary), and track your converted grade across several sessions rather than judging yourself on a single paper.
Prepare for Your Biology Exam
Past papers work best alongside structured revision. Use our free study resources to master each topic before testing yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download IGCSE Biology past papers for free?
Which 0610 papers should I practice?
How do I use 0610 mark schemes effectively?
Pro tip: Use our Exam Hub to view question papers side-by-side with mark schemes or examiner reports. This makes it easy to check your answers and understand exactly what examiners are looking for — all in one view.