How to Revise iGCSE Biology
Prepare for iGCSE Biology with practice on cells, genetics, ecology, human physiology, and experimental skills.
Revision Strategy
Revising Biology requires a blend of memorisation and understanding. You need to recall key facts, definitions, and processes, but you also need to understand the underlying principles well enough to apply them to unfamiliar scenarios. Start each topic by learning the core concepts, then test yourself with application questions that require you to use your knowledge in new contexts.
Diagrams are one of the most powerful revision tools for Biology. Whether it is the structure of a cell, an energy level diagram, or a circuit, being able to draw and label diagrams from memory cements your understanding far more effectively than re-reading text. Practise reproducing key diagrams until you can do so accurately without any reference material.
Do not neglect the practical and mathematical elements. Biology exams include questions on required practicals and expect you to perform calculations confidently. Practise interpreting data tables, plotting graphs, calculating rates and percentages, and evaluating experimental methods. These skills are tested every year and are straightforward marks if you have prepared.
Study Tips for iGCSE Biology
- ✓ Create detailed diagrams of key biological structures (cells, organs, body systems) and label them from memory - visual recall is heavily tested in iGCSE Biology.
- ✓ Learn the precise definitions of biological terms as the iGCSE mark scheme requires specific scientific vocabulary, not everyday language.
- ✓ Practice interpreting experimental data, drawing conclusions from graphs and evaluating experimental methods, as these skills carry significant marks across all papers.
- ✓ Make connections between topics (for example, linking respiration to exercise physiology to gas exchange) because iGCSE questions often span multiple areas of the syllabus.
Exam Tips for iGCSE Biology
- ✓ When describing biological processes, use numbered steps or a clear sequence. iGCSE examiners mark step-by-step, so missing a key stage can cost you marks even if the rest is correct.
- ✓ In questions asking you to explain a difference, always state both sides of the comparison explicitly. Simply describing one side without contrasting it will not earn full marks.
- ✓ Check the command word carefully - describe, explain, suggest and evaluate each require different levels of response in iGCSE Biology.
Topics to Cover
10 topics in iGCSE Biology
Available Exam Boards
iGCSE Biology specification guides for each exam board
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between iGCSE Biology and GCSE Biology? +
Is there practical work in iGCSE Biology? +
What grade do I need in iGCSE Biology for A-Level? +
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