Board/code
Cambridge IGCSE Biology – Syllabus code 0610
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 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.