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Assessment
How Cambridge O Level Biology is assessed
There are no tiers. Everyone takes Papers 1 and 2, plus Paper 3 or Paper 4, and can get grades A*–E.
Syllabus 5090, for exams in 2026–2028. The 2029 syllabus has no significant changes that affect teaching.
All students
Paper 1: Multiple Choice
40 four-option multiple-choice questions
- Time
- 1 h
- Marks
- 40
- Weight
- 30%
Paper 2: Theory
Compulsory short-answer and structured questions
- Time
- 1 h 45 min
- Marks
- 80
- Weight
- 50%
Plus one practical paper
Paper 3: Practical Test
Experiments in a laboratory
- Time
- 1 h 30 min
- Marks
- 40
- Weight
- 20%
Paper 4: Alternative to Practical
Written paper on the same experimental skills
- Time
- 1 h
- Marks
- 40
- Weight
- 20%
Your school chooses Paper 3 (a practical test in a laboratory) or Paper 4 (a written alternative to practical). Both test the same skills and are worth 20%. There is no coursework.
From the official Cambridge International syllabus, checked October 2026. Read the syllabus
Syllabus content
What’s on the Cambridge O Level Biology syllabus
- Cells
- Classification
- Movement into and out of cells
- Biological molecules
- Enzymes
- Plant nutrition
- Transport in flowering plants
- Human nutrition
- Human gas exchange
- Respiration
- Transport in humans
- Disease and immunity
- Excretion
- Coordination and control
- Coordination and response in plants
- Development of organisms and continuity of life
- Inheritance
- Biotechnology and genetic modification
- Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment
Where marks are lost
Common Cambridge O Level Biology mistakes
Confusing transpiration and translocation.
Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from leaves, with water moving up the xylem. Translocation moves sucrose and amino acids in the phloem.
Saying respiration “produces energy”.
Energy can’t be made. Respiration releases energy from glucose, and you should say what the cell uses it for.
Calling active transport a kind of diffusion.
Active transport moves molecules or ions against a concentration gradient and uses energy from respiration. Diffusion needs no energy and goes down the gradient.
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Cambridge O Level Biology questions, answered.
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