GCSE Biology

Board/code

Cambridge IGCSE Biology – Syllabus code 0970

What do we cover in the course?

Key syllabus elements                                                                   

Characteristics and classification of living organisms (5%  of teaching time)

Organisation and maintenance of the organism (50% of teaching time)

Development of the organism and the continuity of life (25% of teaching time)

Relationships of organisms with one another and with their environment (20% of teaching time)

How is it assesed?

Key assessment elements

All students take:
Paper 1 45 minutes A multiple-choice paper consisting of 40 items of the four-choice type Questions will be based on the Core curriculum and will be of a difficulty appropriate to grades C to G   Weighted at 30% of total available marks
and either:	or:
Paper 2                                        1 hour 15 minutes Written paper consisting of 80 marks of short-answer and structured questions based on the Core curriculum   Weighted at 50% of total available marks	Paper 3 1 hour 15 minutes Written paper consisting of 80 marks of short-answer and structured questions based on the Extended curriculum   Weighted at 50% of total available marks
and:
Paper 5                                          1 hour 15 minutes Practical test   Weighted at 20% of total available marks

Key skills required

We recommend that students who are beginning this course should have previously studied a lower school science curriculum. Students should also have adequate mathematical skills for the content contained in this syllabus.

In addition, it is desirable that students  have:

·         an inquisitive mind with a special interest in the natural world;

·         an enthusiasm for biological studies.

Any other information

Cambridge IGCSE Certificates are general qualifications that enable students to progress either directly to employment, or to proceed to further qualifications.

Students who are awarded grades C to A* in IGCSE Biology are well prepared to follow courses leading to Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology, or the equivalent.

 

80% of our GCSE Biology students achieved grades A*-C in 2014.