Cambridge O Level Biology (5090): examiner-style marking and a new paper for every student
Biology marking turns on precise wording. Each answer is checked against the marking points, with the exact word or phrase that would have earned the mark.
Syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 · June and November series · grades A*–E
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Multiple Choice | 1 h | 40 | 30% | 40 four-option multiple-choice questions |
| Paper 2 — Theory | 1 h 45 min | 80 | 50% | Short-answer and structured questions, all compulsory |
| Paper 3 — Practical Test | 1 h 30 min | 40 | 20% | Practical exam (sat at the centre) — or Paper 4 |
| Paper 4 — Alternative to Practical | 1 h | 40 | 20% | Written paper on experimental skills — or Paper 3 |
Topics
- Cells and organisation
- Enzymes and nutrition
- Transport and respiration
- Coordination
- Reproduction and inheritance
- Ecology
Questions teachers ask
- Is this official Cambridge marking?
- No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 5090, and you approve every mark before a student sees it.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every 5090 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- Paper 2, Paper 4 are marked question by question; Paper 1 are scored instantly. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- June and November series. Grades A*–E.
Other Cambridge O Level courses
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- Cambridge O Level Mathematics D (4024)
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