Cambridge IGCSE Biology past papers
Official past papers and mark schemes for Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) are free from Cambridge International. We link to them rather than copy them, so you always get the board's own, up-to-date files.
Where to find the official papers
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) past papers Question papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and specimen papers.
- Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Biology (0970) past papers 0970 has the same content and papers as 0610, graded 9 to 1.
The public page shows a selection of papers. Schools can get more through the Cambridge School Support Hub, so ask your teacher if the series you want is missing. Clock it with SCI is not affiliated with Cambridge International and does not host any past papers.
How the papers are set out
| Paper | Time | Marks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 2: Multiple Choice (Extended) | 45 minutes | 40 marks, 30% of the IGCSE | 40 multiple-choice questions on the Core and Supplement content. Core candidates sit Paper 1 instead (Core only). |
| Paper 4: Theory (Extended) | 1 hour 15 minutes | 80 marks, 50% of the IGCSE | Short-answer and structured questions on the Core and Supplement content. Core candidates sit Paper 3 instead (Core only). |
| Paper 5 or Paper 6: Practical | 1 hour 15 minutes (Practical Test) or 1 hour (Alternative to Practical) | 40 marks, 20% of the IGCSE | The experimental skills, either by doing experiments in a laboratory (Paper 5) or on paper (Paper 6) |
From the Cambridge specification (Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus 2026 to 2028 (PDF)). Always check the latest version with your teacher before the exam.
How to use past papers
- Revise the topic first. Past papers test whether you can use what you know, so go through the revision notes and specification checklist before you start.
- Practise one topic at a time. Early on, use our exam questions by subtopic (for example Characteristics and classification) and the printable topic tests, which come with mark schemes.
- Then sit a full paper, timed. Use the time and marks above, with no notes. Leave a question you are stuck on and come back to it.
- Mark it with the official mark scheme. Give a mark only where your answer says what the mark scheme says. Note the points you missed, not just the score.
- Go back to the notes for every question you lost marks on. Look up any terms you got wrong in the glossary, then try that topic again a week later.
- Read the examiner reports. They say where students lost marks in each question, which is often the quickest way to pick up marks.