IGCSE Biology is a demanding subject, with a significant amount of information to learn, which can feel overwhelming. Many students wonder how to effectively prepare for the Biology IGCSE in the limited time available while aiming for a good grade. It is definitely achievable. The key is to understand the common challenges and revise the material in a thorough and focused manner.

Format of IGCSE Biology Examination

It is important to understand the formats, methods, and requirements for your IGCSE Biology assessment to help you prepare in a targeted way.

At BISAD the examination board for Biology is Edexcel IGCSE (9-1) and the specification is attached above:

Edexcel International GCSE Biology specifies two papers.

• Paper 1 is 2 hours and awards up to 110 marks.
• Paper 2 is 1 hour 15 minutes and awards up to 70 marks.

Each paper can have multiple-choice questions, short and open-response questions, calculations, as well as questions directly related to core practical work. Students entered for the double science award sit paper 1 only. 

IGCSE Biology Revision Tips

1. Exam Structure

Exams typically feature questions worth 1 to 6 marks. 1-mark questions require brief answers, while higher-mark questions need more detailed responses. Recognizing the mark allocation helps you manage time and maximize your score. Avoid spending too much time on low-mark questions and focus on longer ones.

Understanding command terms is key—these indicate what the examiner expects. For example, "state" or "name" means a brief answer, while "explain" or "discuss" requires a more detailed response. Always read the entire question carefully to identify the command term. If unsure, click on the link below on Save my Exams for a list of command terms and keywords.

www.savemyexams.com/learning-hub/exam-guides/keywords-and-command-words-in-gcse-biology/

2. Understand key biological concepts

IGCSE Biology requires more than memorisation. Focus on understanding key biological concepts, like osmosis, mitosis, meiosis, inheritance, respiration, photosynthesis. Break down topics into smaller parts (chunking) and highlight important terms, concepts, and processes. True understanding leads to better retention and application of knowledge to new scenarios.

3. Begin revising with the hardest topics first

It is natural to prioritise easier topics, but focusing on weaknesses is critical for IGCSE Biology success. Start your revision NOW and tackle your most challenging topics first. By addressing your weaknesses, you'll significantly improve your overall performance and increase your chances of achieving a top grade.

4. Specific Advice for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Learners

IGCSE Biology can be especially challenging for non-native English speakers due to its specialised vocabulary. To overcome this, use techniques like visual aids, mnemonics, and flashcards to memorise difficult terms and improve your understanding of scientific concepts.

5. Find the Effective Learning Techniques that Work for You

Our brains are far better at processing information through a mix of passive and active learning. Instead of relying solely on reading textbooks, combine note-taking with visual techniques like flowcharts, tables, and mind maps. Actively testing your knowledge by recreating these visuals will enhance your understanding and retention.

6. Spaced repetition and interleaving

To ensure long-term retention, use spaced repetition and interleave different topics. After learning a topic, review it again after a week, then two weeks, and so on, gradually increasing the intervals. This technique reinforces your memory and helps you retain information effectively for your exams.  Interleaving helps retention by forcing your brain to actively differentiate between concepts. Instead of practicing one topic at a time, switch between related topics. This makes it harder to rely on rote memorisation, but strengthens your conceptual understanding enabling you to retrieve the correct information from your memory.

7. Past exam paper practice

Past exam papers provide invaluable insights into the types of questions you'll encounter, which helps you prepare more effectively.

Practice with as many past papers as possible to train your recall skills. Practicing questions should constitute a significant proportion of your revision process. Past paper questions are available here:

- Paper 1: Edexcel Paper 1 IGCSE Biology Past Papers - PMT (physicsandmathstutor.com)

- Paper 2: Edexcel Paper 2 IGCSE Biology Past Papers - PMT (physicsandmathstutor.com)

Practicing with past papers deepens your understanding of concepts. After completing a paper, consult your textbook and the mark scheme to identify your mistakes and understand where you lost marks. Take note of these errors and review them before attempting another paper. Over time, you'll notice a significant improvement in your performance.

Remember you have access to:

• Your notes in your books and on OneNote - there are Quick Fire Tests and Knowledge Organisers to help with recall and linking between topics.
• Online textbook in the files section on Teams and your CPG revision guide.
• Seneca learning Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com
• YouTube channels such as Free Science Lessons (www.youtube.com/@Freesciencelessons) 
• Revision websites such as MrExham.com - Making Sense of Biology
• Core Practical Lab Book for Biology (attached below).