0610 · Cambridge IGCSE
0610/61
(Alternative to Practical)
Biology · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
160
180 min
Osmosis and Diffusion Experimental Planning
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application.
The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical interpretation.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge with Understanding
Weight: 3100%Handling Information
Weight: 267%Experimental Skills
Weight: 133%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 28% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 0.9
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Osmosis
23 marks this session
Biological molecules
22 marks this session
Excretion in humans
15 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Osmosis
Respiration
Enzymes
Biological molecules
Circulatory systems
Diffusion
Diseases and immunity
Excretion in humans
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 21 (Multiple Choice - Extended):
Paper 41 (Theory - Extended):
Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Osmosis
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBiological molecules
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiExcretion in humans
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application.
- 2Message
The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical interpretation.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Biology
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application. The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application.
The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical interpretation.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application. The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical interpretation.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 21 (Multiple Choice - Extended):
Paper 41 (Theory - Extended):
Paper 61 (Alternative to Practical):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
78% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
structured
80·6·50%
multiple choice
40·40·25%
alternative to practical
40·2·25%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 21 (Multiple …
1.07 m/minPaper 41 (Extended …
0.67 m/minTotal marks
120
Total time
135 min
Avg pace
0.89
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Homeostasis and Temperature Regulation
90%90%
Biotechnology and Genetic Modification
85%85%
Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles
80%80%
May/June 2025 Biology 0610 Core & Extended Analysis
The May/June 2025 Biology (0610) exams offered a well-balanced distribution of topics, testing core factual recall alongside robust practical application. The extended papers maintained a high standard of precision, particularly demanding on quantitative operations and graphical interpretation.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.