IGCSE Biology: opinions, advice, information
- Sara Opris
- Jan 25
- 2 min read
If you are thinking about picking biology as a subject in IGCSE, this article is perfect for you and will give you a more clear understanding of the possible benefits and disadvantages of picking biology as a subject for IGCSE as well as advice regarding studying for this subject and preparing for the exam.
My name is Sara and I’m a student at an international school who is very interested in science and is considering a career in the field. I personally picked triple science, meaning I will take the exams for each of the sciences: physics, biology and chemistry. The IGCSE exam is highly used in international schools around the world, therefore it is a concern for many students internationally. Most people that I have talked to offered me a perspective regarding the exams overall. They said that they are not hard IF you begin studying early into the two years of preparation that you are given. Make sure you understand each topic thoroughly before moving on to another one and try to work extra as much as time allows you to.
When it comes to biology, I had a conversation with a former IGCSE student which got an A* in the biology exam. She told me that the most important thing is to manage your time well, to have a balance between your school life and your life outside school in order to ensure a good grade in the exam but more importantly to help you endure the stress that comes with it. There are a total of 21 topics in the syllabus, although these can sometimes change, namely:
Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms
Organization of the Organism
Movement in and out of Cells
Biological Molecules
Enzymes
Plant Nutrition
Human Nutrition
Transport in Plants
Transport in Animals
Diseases and Immunity
Gas Exchange in Humans
Respiration
Excretion in Humans
Coordination and Response
Drugs
Reproduction
Inheritance
Variation and Selection
Organisms and Their Environment
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Human Influences on Ecosystems
From all the students that took the exam in March of 2024, 49.2% got an A or higher in IGCSE biology. These were the thresholds for the June 2024 biology exam, 9 symbolising A*, 8 being A and so on.
Even if in the last years (post pandemic) the thresholds became higher, they are now stabilising and it isn’t such a big shock for students anymore.
To conclude, the IGCSE is all about time management and balancing your in school life with your outside of school life. This can be very challenging but necessary for reaching your full academic potential. When it comes to the biology exam, it is important to understand each topic well and ask questions if you don’t.
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