Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Details of the assessment
Practical assessment
All candidates take one practical component from a choice of two:
Paper 5: Practical Test Paper 6: Alternative to Practical
1 hour 15 minutes 1 hour
40 marks 40 marks
This paper tests assessment objective AO3 This paper tests assessment objective AO3
OR
This paper assesses grades A* to G This paper assesses grades A* to G
Candidates will be required to do experiments in a Candidates will not be required to do experiments
laboratory as part of this test as part of this test
Questions in the practical papers are structured to assess performance across the full grade range.
The Practical Test and Alternative to Practical:
• require the same experimental skills to be developed and learned
• require an understanding of the same experimental contexts
• test the same assessment objective, AO3.
Candidates are expected to be familiar with and may be asked questions on the following experimental contexts:
• simple quantitative experiments, including the measurement of:
– volumes of gases and liquids
– masses
– temperatures
– times
– lengths
• diffusion
• osmosis
• food tests
• rates of enzyme-catalysed reactions, including judging end-points, e.g. colour changes
• pH and the use of hydrogencarbonate indicator, litmus and universal indicator
• photosynthesis (rate and limiting factors)
• transpiration
• heart rate and breathing rate
• respiration
• tropic responses
• observation and dissection of seeds and flowers
• germination
• continuous and discontinuous variation
• use methods of sampling that are representative and avoid bias, e.g. consideration of sample size and simple
random sampling
• observe, record and measure images of familiar and unfamiliar biological specimens
• make clear line drawings of biological specimens, calculating the magnification or actual size and adding labels
as required
• use simple apparatus in situations where the method may not be familiar to the candidate.
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Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment
Candidates may be required to do the following:
• demonstrate knowledge of how to select and safely use techniques, apparatus and materials (including
following a sequence of instructions where appropriate):
– identify apparatus from diagrams or descriptions
– draw, complete or label diagrams of apparatus and biological specimens
– use, or explain the use of, common techniques, apparatus and materials
– select the most appropriate apparatus or method for the task and justify the choice made
– describe food tests
– describe how the pH of a solution or substance can be tested
– describe and explain hazards and safety precautions
– describe and explain techniques used to ensure the accuracy of observations and data
• plan experiments and investigations:
– identify the independent variable and dependent variable
– describe how and explain why variables should be kept constant
– suggest an appropriate number and range of values for the independent variable
– suggest the most appropriate apparatus or technique and justify the choice made
– describe experimental procedures, including a suitable control experiment
– identify risks and suggest safety precautions
– describe how to record the results of an experiment
– describe how to process the results of an experiment to form a conclusion or to evaluate a prediction
– make reasoned predictions of expected results
• make and record observations, measurements and estimates:
– take readings from apparatus (analogue and digital) or from diagrams of apparatus with appropriate
precision
– take sufficient observations or measurements, including repeats and replicates where appropriate
– record qualitative observations from food and other tests
– record observations and measurements systematically, for example in a suitable table, to an appropriate
degree of precision and using appropriate units
• interpret and evaluate experimental observations and data:
– process data, including for use in further calculations or for graph plotting, using a calculator as appropriate
– present data graphically
– analyse and interpret observations and data, including data presented graphically
– use interpolation and extrapolation graphically to determine a gradient or intercept
– form conclusions justified by reference to observations and data and with appropriate explanation
– evaluate the quality of observations and data, identifying any anomalous results and taking appropriate
action
• evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements:
– evaluate experimental arrangements, methods and techniques, including the use of a control
– identify sources of error
– suggest possible improvements to the apparatus, experimental arrangements, methods and techniques.
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Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment
Apparatus, materials and reagents
These lists give items candidates should be familiar with using, whether they are taking the Practical Test or the
Alternative to Practical.
These items should be available for use in the Practical Test. These lists are not exhaustive and we may also require
other items to be sourced for specific exams. The Confidential Instructions we send before the Practical Test will
give the detailed requirements for the exam.
Every effort is made to limit the resources required by centres and so minimise the costs. Experiments will be
designed around basic apparatus and materials which should be available in most school laboratories or are easily
obtainable.
Hazard codes are used where relevant and in accordance with information provided by CLEAPSS
(www.cleapss.org.uk). Candidates should be familiar with the meanings of these codes and terms but will
not be assessed on them.
C corrosive MH moderate hazard
HH health hazard T acutely toxic
F flammable O oxidising
N hazardous to the aquatic environment
The attention of centres is drawn to any local regulations relating to safety, first aid and disposal of chemicals.
‘Hazard Data Sheets’ should be available from your chemical supplier.
Candidates must be provided with appropriate safety equipment, such as suitable eye protection and gloves, during
practical work.
The Confidential Instructions will indicate which hazard symbols are applicable for the materials required for each
Practical Test exam.
Chemicals, reagents and indicators
The list below is not intended to be comprehensive but shows the types of chemicals, reagents and indicators that
candidates should be familiar with.
• Benedict’s solution
• biuret reagent
• carbohydrates (starch, glucose, sucrose), proteins, lipids
• DCPIP
• dilute acid
• dilute alkali
• distilled or deionised water
• enzymes (e.g. amylase, a protease, lipase)
• ethanol
• indicators (universal indicator solution, hydrogencarbonate indicator, litmus solution)
• hydrogen peroxide solution
• iodine in potassium iodide solution (iodine solution)
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Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment
• limewater
• methylene blue dye
• petroleum jelly (Vaseline® or similar)
• sodium chloride
• sodium hydrogencarbonate (sodium bicarbonate)
Apparatus
Other materials may be required for examinations.
• balance to measure up to 500 g, with precision of at least 0.1 g
• beakers (various sizes, 100 cm3, 250 cm3)
• bungs to fit small test-tubes and large test-tubes
• bungs with delivery tubes to fit small test-tubes and large test-tubes
• filter funnels
• filter paper
• forceps
• glass rods
• hand lenses (at least ×6 magnification)
• lamps for photosynthesis experiments
• means of cutting biological materials (e.g. scalpels or sharp knives)
• means of writing on glassware (e.g. wax pencils or water-resistant markers)
• measuring cylinders (e.g. 10, 25 and 100 cm3)
• mounted needles or seekers or long pins with large heads
• rulers, graduated in mm
• scissors
• partially permeable membrane (e.g. Visking® or dialysis tubing)
• Pasteur or dropping pipette
• Petri dishes
• spotting tiles
• stop-clocks, reading to 1 s or better
• syringes (various sizes, 1 cm3, 5 cm3, 1 0cm3)
• test-tubes – small (125 mm × 15 mm) and large (150 mm × 25 mm)
• test-tube racks and test-tube holders
• thermometers, –10 °C to +110 °C, with 1 °C graduations
• wash bottles
• white tiles or other suitable cutting surfaces
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