0610

IGCSE Biology 0610 — October-November 2020 Past Papers, Topics & Exam Tips

The Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) October-November 2020 session consisted of 6 papers across 18 variants. This page links to every question paper, mark scheme, grade threshold and session feedback document released by Cambridge for this session.

Grade Thresholds

Study Resources for Biology

Prepare for your exam with these complementary resources:

Test your knowledge

0610 October-November 2020 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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

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.

Confidential Instructions

Instructions for teachers on practical exams. Useful for understanding experiment setups and expected procedures.

0610 October-November 2020 at a glance

Papers: 6 (18 variants total)
Grade thresholds: released by Cambridge (linked above)
Session feedback: Cambridge report available

← May-June 2020 All 0610 sessions March 2021 →

Get Biology Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0610. Get exam reminders, new past paper alerts and revision resources by email.

Revising with a friend? Send them these past papers.

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.

Which variant you sit is set by your school's administrative zone: in the November 2026 timetable, for 0610, Variant 1 is sat in Zones 1 and 2, Variant 2 in Zones 3 and 4, and Variant 3 in Zones 5 and 6. Which zones sit which variant differs from subject to subject, so ask your exams officer which zone your school is in.

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.

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.

November 2020, option BX (components 21, 41, 51), out of 200:

A*

152

A

129

B

106

C

83

From the copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2020. Each option has its own thresholds: see every 0610 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 to Use IGCSE Biology Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0610 Paper 4 (Theory, Extended) 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

In November 2020, an A* in IGCSE Biology needed 151 to 155 out of 200 (76% to 78%) on the Extended options, depending on the option (copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, November 2020). See the grade thresholds for every 0610 session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE Biology October-November 2020 past papers?

You can download all IGCSE Biology (0610) October-November 2020 past papers directly from this page. We provide 41 files: question papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds for variants 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63. 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 2020 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 and 5 or 6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 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, and it works with any PDF.

Continue Studying Biology

Prepare for these topics before attempting the past papers:

61 topics covered

685 cards to master

Test your knowledge

Copyright & Educational Use

All examination materials including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports are the intellectual property of Cambridge Assessment International Education.

We share these materials freely for educational purposes to help students prepare for their examinations. This platform is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.

For official examination resources, registration, and support, please visit cambridgeinternational.org.